Summary: CHF 250,491 has been allocated from the IFRC’s Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) to support the Red Cross Society of Niger in delivering immediate assistance to some 1,600 families. Un-earmarked funds to repay DREF are encouraged.
Torrential rains in Niger since 17 August 2011, caused heavy flooding in the regions of Dosso, Tillabéry, Tahoua and Maradi. This situation continues to worsen as rainfall persists and is expected continue for at least two weeks according to the latest meteorological forecast. To date, nine (9) people have died, and 1,750 houses have been destroyed. More than 1,929 ha of crops are flooded and several herds of livestock decimated. It should be noted that the flooded areas are among those affected by the food insecurity crisis of 2010. These floods can compromise the recovery phase of that operation which has not yet been completed. Indeed more than 3 million people in Niger are still in a food insecure situation and need assistance. These floods may therefore increase the vulnerability of many families that are already victims of drought, hunger and endemic diseases.
The current operation targets 1,600 highly-vulnerable families among the 4,011 affected households in the regions of Dosso, Maradi, Tahoua and Tillabéry through provision of non-food items (NFI) such as blankets, sleeping mats and kitchen sets; provision of potable water and distribution of buckets and jerry cans; hygiene promotion, including cholera sensitization; distribution of mosquito nets; as well as provision of tarpaulins and shelter tool kits. Through the operation, capacities of volunteers will be reinforced.
This operation is expected to be implemented over 3 months, and will therefore be completed by 30 November, 2011; a Final Report will be made available three months after the end of the operation (by 28 February, 2012).