By Andrea Miles | Director of Development
Merlin’s Emergency Response Fund enables immediate reactions, to reach those in need once an emergency has hit. The Fund also means that for slower, more persistent disasters, the fund allows us the money to respond earlier: we do not have to rely on media interest to raise public donations or government funding to activate a response. This gives us a vital window of opportunity to react before the problem reaches its peak, which in turn, saves lives.
Our Emergency Response Team and our already present field teams support this Fund initiative. They know that is means they can deliver aid, where it is needed most, straight away, without having to wait for or be part of further fundraising activities. They are allowed to focus on what they do best, offering humanitarian aid and health care.
Over the last 18 months the Emergency Response Fund has been used successfully for the following crises:
Refugee Crisis on Liberia-Ivory Coast border, March 2011
Refugee Crisis on Libya-Tunisia Border, May 2011
Tropical Storm Washi in the Philippines, Dec 2011
Sahel Food Crisis, Hadjer Lamis, Chad, March 2012
Malaria outbreak in south Maniema, DRC, April 2012
Monsoon Flooding in SW Philippines, August 2012.
Here is just a little more information about a few of the emergencies where the MERF has been used:
In April this year there was a malaria outbreak across ten different districts of Saramabila, south Maniema, in the DRCongo. Using money from the Emergency Response Fund, Merlin responded immediately, working alongside the Ministry of Health, to order and deliver mosquito nets, anti-malarial medicines and essential medical supplies to the affected areas.
Although a relatively large emergency, the outbreak did not register with the international media. Merlin treated:
- over 7,700 patients,
- provided blood transfusions for150 children,
- distributed mosquito nets to over 660 pregnant women and more than 3,340 children under five years old.
By March, failed harvests, drought and escalating food prices had placed over 13.3 million people at risk of severe malnutrition in west Africa. Following a needs-assessment, Merlin decided to intervene in Chad, a country where we have had no prior presence but where conditions were rapidly deteriorating. $42,000 from the Emergency Response Fund was spent, employing a quick phase intervention to assist malnourished children in the Hadjer Lamis region.
By responding effectively and efficiently, Merlin helped to alleviate malnutrition rates before the peak in the “hunger gap” arrived in June & July, setting up and running health teams and nutrition clinics several months before.
Devastating floods have hit the Philippines twice in less than a year. Storm Washi hit the islands of Mindanao late in 2011 and currently a cyclone and storms continue to batter the main island of Luzon and the area around the capital Manila. Using the Emergency Fund meant that down payments for stock could be made, before most donations were received. Funds have been spent on supplies for thousands of hygiene kits distributed to families who have abandoned their home, medicines for local health clinics and bandages and other medical materials.
Thank you for your support.
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