ReliefWeb

The Federation's mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity. It is the world's largest humanitarian organization and its millions of volunteers are active in over 185 countries.

In Brief

Period covered by this Final Report: 27 January to 29 April 2005.

History of this Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF)-funded operation:

- CHF 35,550 was allocated from the Federations DREF on 27 January 2005 to respond to the needs of this operation, http://www.ifrc.org/docs/appeals/05/05ME004.pdf

- An Interim Final Report was issued on 18 October 2005.

This operation was aligned with the International Federation's Global Agenda, which sets out four broad goals to meet the Federation's mission to "improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity".

Global Agenda Goals:

- Reduce the numbers of deaths, injuries and impact from disasters.

- Reduce the number of deaths, illnesses and impact from diseases and public health emergencies.

- Increase local community, civil society and Red Cross Red Crescent capacity to address the most urgent situations of vulnerability.

- Reduce intolerance, discrimination and social exclusion and promote respect for diversity and human dignity.

Background and Summary

Swaziland experienced a devastating storm on 23 January following heavy rains. The storm hit parts of Manzini, Lubombo and Shiselweni which is the south east of the country. A total of 15 sub areas in Mazini, four in lubombo and 11in Shiselweni were affected by the storm.

The storm caused great havoc as it destroyed houses, crops in the fields, household and food items. Roofing corrugated sheets and tiles were also blown leaving approximately 145 households in Shiselweni and 85 in Manzini without adequate shelter, clothing and food. Some schools in the affected areas were also destroyed by the storm. Human life was not spared as there were reports that four people were suspected to have been washed away by flooded rivers.

The storm damage was initially reported on the Federation web site through an information bulletin (Swaziland: Storm damage Information Bulletin no.1- refer to http://www.ifrc.org/docs/appeals/rpts05/sz050127.pdf).

For information specifically related to this operation please contact:

In Swaziland: Sibongile Hlope, Secretary General, Baphalali Swaziland Red Cross Society, Mbabane; Email: sibongile@redcross.og.sz; Phone: + 268.404.25.32; Fax: + 268.404.61.08

In Zimbabwe: Francoise Le Goff, Federation Head of Southern Africa Regional Delegation, Harare; Email: ifrczw02@ifrc.org; Phone: + 263.4.70.61.55/6; Fax: + 263.4.70.87.84

In Geneva: John Roche, Federation Regional Officer for Southern Africa, Africa Dept., Geneva; Email: john.roche@ifrc.org; Phone: +41.22.730.44.40, Fax: +41.22.733.03.95.

All International Federation assistance seeks to adhere to the Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO's) in Disaster Relief and is committed to the Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response (Sphere) in delivering assistance to the most vulnerable.

For longer-term programmes in this or other countries or regions, please refer to the Federation's Annual Appeal. For support to or for further information concerning Federation programmes or operations in this or other countries, or for national society profiles, please also access the Federation's website at http://www.ifrc.org