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Niger: Floods - DREF operation n° MDRNE012

Countries
Niger
Sources
IFRC
Publication date

CHF 200,379 has been allocated from the IFRC’s Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) to support the Red Cross Society of Niger in delivering immediate assistance to some 1,600 families (11,200 beneficiaries). Unearmarked funds to repay DREF are encouraged.

Summary: Since 13 August 2013, perennial and torrential rainfall has resulted in heavy flooding all over the country. As of 2 September, 26 people lost their lives, with more than 75,347 people affected, including some 6,623 families whose houses have collapsed. In addition, approximately 12,000 hectares of crops are flooded and animals decimated. So far, the most affected regions are Maradi, Tillabery, Dosso, Tahoua, Niamey and Zinder.

The Red Cross Society of Niger (RCSN) responded immediately in organizing assessments alongside the authorities and other humanitarian agencies, providing non-food items from pre-positioned stocks and assisting in the evacuation and first aid of injured persons. In Niamey, affected families are being evacuated to ten sites with the support of the RCSN volunteers.

The National Society and IFRC have so far used the resources available in Dosso and Diffa regions where the food security, nutrition and water and sanitation project is being implemented. With the steep increase in affected households in the last two weeks, the National Society has requested for IFRC’s support to assist affected households. The situation is expected to deteriorate further as rainfall is likely to continue for at least another three weeks, according to the last African Centre of Meteorological Application for Development (ACMAD) forecast issued on 2 September.

This DREF operation is based on a plan of action developed by Red Cross Society of Niger following rapid needs assessments and coordination of actions with the authorities and other humanitarian organizations. The operation will provide support to 1,600 families through provision of emergency shelter (including non-food items), emergency health and water, sanitation and health and hygiene promotion activities. Based on the evolving situation, further assessments and subsequent needs, an Emergency Appeal may be considered.

This operation is expected to be implemented over three months, and will therefore be completed by 30 November, 2013. A final report will be made available three months after the end of the operation (by 28 February 2014).