ReliefWeb

Summary: CHF 150,188 was allocated from the IFRC’s Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) on 3 May, 2012 to support Rwanda Red Cross Society (RRCS) in delivering immediate assistance to some 2,800 beneficiaries (560 households) for three months.

Between 10 and 12 April 2012, heavy rains hit Musanze district in the Northern Province and Nyabihu and Rubavu districts in the Western Province, causing floods that affected an estimated 11,160 persons. The flooding caused deaths and injuries among the affected population, and extensive damage to houses and property. Many of the affected families were displaced. The RRCS Branch Disaster Response Teams (BDRTs) involving 90 volunteers responded immediately offering rescue and evacuation services to stranded, displaced and injured persons. Additionally, First Aid services, tracing of missing persons and psychosocial support to the affected families was provided as well as assistance in handling the dead.

Through the DREF support, several activities to support affected households were carried out. A needs assessment was conducted by RRCS in collaboration with local authorities in the three districts of Musanze, Nyabihu and Rubavu to establish the immediate needs of the affected communities. Following this, RRCS distributed essential non food items (NFIs), including basic household and hygiene items, to 600 vulnerable households (3,930 persons).In collaboration with the local authorities and community, emergency shelter assistance and repair of damaged houses was provided for 124 most vulnerable households including the elderly and families with children. RRCS rehabilitated water and sanitation structures such as the latrines and showers for the most vulnerable families and constructed 16 public latrines. Further support was also provided to the affected communities in establishing home gardens for 80 most vulnerable families and providing fruit trees for 189 most in order to enable them provide for themselves.

Additionally, RRCS facilitated awareness raising activities on hygiene practices and waterborne related diseases using the PHAST methodology in the three districts of Musanze, Nyabihu and Rubavu reaching 230 household with relevant information that contributed to reduced risks for diseases. Along with this, RRCS provided hygiene materials (soap, disinfectant and buckets) to 560 families. Early case detection for waterborne diseases and referrals were also conducted in the three affected districts, and trained volunteers performed sensitization campaigns on the prevention and control of malaria, focusing on proper use of mosquito nets in the households reaching 230 households.

Through the support of DREF funds, the living conditions of the affected population was improved through provision of basic non food items, emergency shelter assistance, repair of damaged houses and establishment of home gardens. Additionally, construction and rehabilitation of water and sanitation structures has contributed to reduced risks for water borne diseases. RRCS has enhanced its capacity in responding to emergencies through an increase in skills and knowledge of its volunteers and BDRT teams through practical exercises related to the emergency assessment, community sensitisation and relief distribution.