European Union strengthens drought preparedness efforts in Micronesia

This EU funding supports the Micronesia Red Cross Society (MRCS) in strengthening its drought preparedness efforts. This includes procuring and pre-positioning of relief items, ensuring access to safe drinking water, good hygiene practices, and information on health awareness. The aid will also contribute to conducting assessments and implementing a community drought readiness plan for the next four months.

The funding is part of the EU’s overall contribution to the Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

A major dry spell caused by the climatic phenomenon known as El Niño is foreseen to strike Micronesia from October, reaching its peak in January 2024 and persisting until at least June. During this period, the amount of rainfall in the country is expected to be 50-60 per cent lower than average. This could potentially trigger severe drought conditions in the country where the majority of the populations are heavily reliant on rainfall to meet their water needs.

Background

The European Union and its Member States are the world's leading donor of humanitarian aid. Relief assistance is an expression of European solidarity with people in need all around the world. It aims to save lives, prevent and alleviate human suffering, and safeguard the integrity and human dignity of populations affected by natural disasters and man-made crises.

Through its Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations department, the European Union helps millions of victims of conflict and disasters every year. With headquarters in Brussels and a global network of field offices, the European Union provides assistance to the most vulnerable people on the basis of humanitarian needs.

The European Union is signatory to a €10 million humanitarian delegation agreement with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to support the Federation's Disaster Response 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 Response 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.