10/16/08

Rwanda: Wind destruction DREF operation no. MDRRW004


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 and 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.

CHF 159,334 (USD 145,644 or EUR 101,487) has been allocated from the Federation's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) to support the Rwandan Red Cross in delivering immediate emergency shelter to some 1,000 households (5,000 people). Unearmarked funds to repay DREF are encouraged.

Summary: A total of 2,259 households from four districts in Rwanda have been affected by strong winds and heavy rains which occurred on 28 September 2008. A rapid assessment conducted by the Rwandan Red Cross and partners have identified emergency shelter as the main priority needs in the affected districts. The National Society has already delivered immediate relief support to some 200 of the most affected households (1,000 people).

The Rwandan Red Cross has requested a DREF to support 1,000 affected households with emergency shelter in the worst affected districts of Rubavu, Ngoma and Kihere. This operation is expected to be implemented over 2 months, and will therefore be completed by 13 December 2008. A Final Report will be made available three months after the end of the operation.

The situation

Rwanda experienced heavy rains and strong winds on 28 September 2008. The affected districts included Rubavu and Nyamasheke located in the western province and Kirehe and Ngoma districts located in the eastern province. The heavy rains and strong winds caused extensive damage to houses, schools and churches.

The residential areas of Majengo Mbugangari in Rubavu District were hardest hit by the winds, which swept away the roofs of more than 1,000 houses. The affected people were forced to seek temporary accommodation with the neighbours, while others have found refuge in churches that resisted the strong winds. Several schools also lost their roofs and educational materials were damaged by the strong winds and heavy rains. As a result, about 9,000 students are not going to school.

No deaths have been reported. However, a total of 51 people were injured including 6 serious cases. Among those affected include 32 students from Rubavu District, who have been traumatized and injured by collapsing walls.

The situation may deteriorate, if nothing is done immediately. The following figures show the situation according to the evaluation report made on 3 October 2008.


Table 1: Summary of districts affected by strong winds and heavy rains

Affected
Districts
Damaged
Houses
Hectares of Farmland
Destroyed
Damaged
Infrastructure
Rubavu
1,982
172 hectares of banana plantations 106 classrooms destroyed
Ngoma
118
None None
Kirehe
159
153.7 hectares of banana plantations
2.5 hectares of cassava plantations
4 churches
Nyamasheke
No information available at the moment.

Though there are some farmlands that were destroyed as a result of the strong winds, the assessment report showed that the affected households still have a substantial amount of farmland with crops which they can depend on for food.

Coordination and partnerships

Joint coordination meetings have been organized to discuss the disaster situation. The meetings involve the Ministries of Interior and National Security, Infrastructure, Rwandan Red Cross, United Nations (UN) agencies including the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), the World Food Programme (WFP), the World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) as well as other NGO partners including CARE International and World Vision.

The Government, through Rubavu District, will give support by providing framing sticks for houses to be rehabilitated. The management of the assistance will be under the responsibility of the district, with technical support from the Rwandan Red Cross.





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Jean-Louis Kayitenkore
Procurement Consultant
Gsm:  +250-08470205
Home: +250-55104140
P.O. Box 3867
Kigali-Rwanda
East Africa
Blog: http://www.cepgl.blogspot.com
Skype ID : Kayisa66

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