ARCS completes humanitarian relief distribution in Armavir province

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Armenian Red Cross Society (ARCS) has successfully completed the distribution of humanitarian relief to 14 rural communities of Armavir province seriously affected by the hailstorm in May 2013.

As a result, by July 15, the ARCS Disaster Response Team (DRT) had reached 4.020 beneficiaries (983 families) providing humanitarian assistance that included 2.090 food and hygiene parcels covering the needs of the affected families for 2-3 months. Distribution was based on the preliminary developed criteria and beneficiary list.

The humanitarian response operation became possible through the allocation of EUR 197,155 from the Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), which included EUR 157,724 provided by the European Commission Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection Department (ECHO) to support this humanitarian response.

From 12 to 17 May, 2013 a disastrous hail seriously damaged 46 rural communities of Armavir province. According to the reports from the Ministry of Agriculture and Armavir Regional Emergency Commission, agricultural fields and gardens of 46 rural communities were partially or fully destroyed, 12.800 families were affected and the preliminary damage was estimated at 28,268,56 bln AMD or USD 60 mln.

The European Commission has signed a €3 million humanitarian contribution agreement with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to support the Federation's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF). Funds from the DREF are mainly allocated to “small-scale” disasters – those that do not give rise to a formal international appeal.

The Disaster Relief Emergency Fund 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. 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 fit in with its humanitarian mandate) up to a total of €3 million.