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Belarus, Russia, Ukraine and Moldova: Severe weather: Final Report for DREF Bulletin no. MDR67001 4 Aug 2006

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Belarus
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IFRC
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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: 3 February to 31 March, 2006.

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

- CHF 200,000 allocated from the Federations DREF on 26 January, 2006 to respond to the needs of this operation, or to replenish disaster preparedness stocks distributed to the affected population.

- This operation was expected to be implemented in 2 months, and completed by 31 March, 2006. In line with Federation reporting standards, the DREF Bulletin Final Report (narrative and financial) was due 90 days after the end of the operation (by 30 June, 2006).

The International Federation undertakes activities that are aligned with its 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

Following the arrival of two waves of Arctic anticyclone cold fronts in the Russian Federation, Ukraine, Moldova and Belarus during two weeks in January (13-29 January) and one week in February (4-9 February), the regional temperatures plummeted to averages of between -25=B0C and -38=B0C. Siberia and Far East of the Russian Federation experienced temperatures as low as -57=B0C. On average, temperatures were lower than previous years by between 15-20=B0C.These extreme temperatures were registered in almost all territories of Belarus, Moldova, Russia and Ukraine.

Over 200,000 people (more then 50% of them in Ukraine) in these territories were directly affected by the severe frosts, suffering hot-water pipe and electricity system breakdowns, heating interruptions, as well as homeless' and street children's exposure to the cold. 2,045 children in Ukraine and about 200 hundred people in Russia were evacuated from their homes and moved to shelter accommodation. Local authorities focused efforts on the reinforcement of electricity and heating supplies, but in some places these took months to restore. For examples in the cities of Alchevsk (Luganskaya oblast) and Olexandria (Kirovograd oblast) in Ukraine, 67,000 people remained without heating in their homes until spring.

The news agencies reported that during from 13 January to 9 February a total of 135 people had died from cold in Moscow, 884 people in Ukraine, 13 people in Moldova and 5 people in Belarus. Hospitals in the region rendered support to over 20,000 frostbitten citizens.

In addition, severe frosts have destroyed about 30-40% of Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova winter crops, 80% of vineyards (especially in Moldova and in South Ukraine) , and 30% of fruit trees. The amount of damage caused by the severe frost this winter to Russia' s agricultural sector alone is estimated at $929 million USD.

For further information specifically related to this operation please contact:

Belarus Red Cross, Pavel Kohavets, Deputy Secretary General, email: belarus.redcross@tut.by, phone/fax: +375 17 227 26 20; Inna Lemeshevskaya, Disaster Management Coordinator, email: belarus.redcross@tut.by, phone: +375 17 2 27 66 82

Moldova Red Cross, Larisa Byrka, President, email: crucearosie@moldnet.md, phone: +373 22 72 96 44; Vasile Chernenky, Disaster Management Coordinator, email: redcross@mtc.md, phone: +373 22 72 58 24

Ukrainian Red Cross, Ivan Usichenko, President, email: international@redcross.org.ua, phone: +380 44 235 01 57; Alla Khabarova, Executive Director, email: international@redcross.org.ua,, phone: +380 44 235 0334

Russian Red Cross: Raisa Lukuksova, Chair person, email: redcross@redcross.ru, phone: +007 495 126 75 71; Yuri Kanash, Disaster Management Coordinator, email: kanash@redcross.ru,, phone: +007 495 126 05 84

Delegation for Belarus, Moldova, Ukraine: Miro Modrusan, Acting Head of Delegation; Phone 41 22 730 43 24; Fax 41 22 733 03 95; email: miro.m odrusan@ifrc.org; Valentina Sosnovaya, Regional Disaster Management Officer, email: valentina.sosnovaya@ifrc.org,, phone: +375 17 221 72 37

Delegation for Russia, Alexander Matheou, Head of Delegation; Phone + 007 495 126 15 66; email:alexander.matheou@ifrc.org

Federation Secretariat: Miro Modrusan, Regional Desk Officer; Phone 41 22 730 43 24;Fax 41 22 733 03 95; email: miro.m odrusan @ifrc.org

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

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