EU and the IFRC renew partnership to ensure rapid response to small-scale disasters
25/03/2014 - Small-scale disasters are not always picked up by the media but their effects are just as catastrophic as large-scale events. Without rapid assistance, many disaster victims would be left without food, water, shelter or basic health care.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the European Commission have been working together for nearly 20 years to ensure that vulnerable people are assisted and not forgotten, even if the disasters that affect them go unnoticed.
The European Commission's Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection department (ECHO) contributes annually to the IFRC’s Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF). This ensures rapid and effective assistance to disaster victims and strengthens the resilience of vulnerable populations. Under the newly-signed 2014 agreement, ECHO has contributed €1.5 million to the DREF, to support National Societies in their response to small-scale disasters for which no international appeal is likely to be launched.
Background
The Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) was established in 1985 and is supported by contributions from donors. Each time a National Red Cross or Red Crescent Society needs immediate financial support to respond to a disaster, it can request funds from the DREF as a loan of start-up funding or as a grant.
For small-scale disasters, the IFRC allocates grants from the Fund, which can then be replenished by the donors. The contribution agreement between the IFRC and the European Commission enables the latter to replenish the DREF for agreed operations that are in line with its humanitarian mandate.