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Papua New Guinea: Floods DREF Operation No. MDRPG003 Final Report

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PNG
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IFRC
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GLIDE n=B0 FL-2008-00243-PNG

The International Federation's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) is a source of un-earmarked money created by the Federation in 1985 to ensure that immediate financial support is available for Red Cross Red Crescent response to emergencies. The DREF is a vital part of the International Federation's disaster response system and increases the ability of National Societies to respond to disasters.

Summary:

CHF 190,000 (USD 165,000 or EUR 120,360) was allocated from the International Federation's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) on 15 December 2008 to support Papua New Guinea Red Cross Society in delivering assistance to approximately 15,450 beneficiaries, and to replenish disaster preparedness stocks.

Abnormally high sea levels resulted in severe floods in Papua New Guinea in December 2008. The Papua New Guinea Red Cross (PNGRC), with support from the International Federation and partner national societies, responded to the disaster and assisted communities affected with non-food relief items including tarpaulins, mosquito nets and water containers, among others.

The floods as a result of the sea swells was also used as an opportunity to build the capacity of the national society, its branches and communities to be better prepared for future disasters. As part of lessons learnt and improved disaster preparedness, agreements and memorandums of understanding were signed or are in progress with numerous partners and services which include logistics, customs and secure and sheltered space for relief containers as well as information-sharing, access to provincial radio frequencies and transportation for goods and people.

The timely and effective response from PNGRC at branch and headquarters levels is a significant achievement given that this is the first time all eight provinces in the country were affected simultaneously. The PNGRC successfully mobilized up to 200 volunteers throughout the operation and delivered support to a total of 16,790 people, above the initial target of 15,450 beneficiaries.

An unspent balance of CHF 10,897 was returned to DREF. This Final Report is complete with regards to the implementation of activities.

The major donors and partners of the DREF include the Danish Red Cross, Irish Red Cross/ Irish government, Japanese Red Cross, Monaco Red Cross/ Monaco government, Netherlands Red Cross/ Netherlands government, Norwegian Red Cross/ Norwegian government, Swedish Red Cross/ Swedish government, Italian government, United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID), ECHO, OPEC Fund for International Development, and corporate and private donors. The International Federation, on behalf of the Papua New Guinea Red Cross Society, would like to thank all donors for their generous contributions.