International Assistance

Prevent disasters with the Princess Margriet Fund

Natural hazards occur every day and often affect the same vulnerable people. Time and again homes are damaged, crops are lost, and families are torn apart. Billions are spent to repair damages and save lives at the last moment.

We cannot prevent natural hazards from happening, but we can limit their consequences by acting in advance. This is why the Princess Margriet Fund was founded: to enable the Red Cross to take action before disaster strikes.

The Princess Margriet Fund provides financial support to projects that increase the resilience of vulnerable communities. By making preparations with the local population before disaster strikes, we can save lives and prevent unimaginable damage and suffering.

You can find a selection of our current projects below. For a complete overview of our portfolio, please contact us.

Our projects

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2 billion

people were affected by natural disasters over the past 10 years

About the Princess Margriet Fund

Why wait with aid until disaster strikes? By taking measures in advance – like installing an early warning system or planting mangrove forests – we can save lives and prevent damages. On top of that, preventive action is much more economically efficient.

Still, taking preventive measures does require financial input. That is why the Netherlands Red Cross founded the Princess Margriet Fund in 2011. This Fund provides financial support to innovative projects focused on sustainable disaster prevention, allowing the Red Cross to take action before disaster strikes.

Do you wish to contribute to disaster prevention? You can by donating to IBAN NL67INGB0000007447 by name of Prinses Margriet Fonds.

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Princess Margriet

Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet has been involved with the Netherlands Red Cross since 1966. She started as Red Cross-assistant first class (nurse) and worked both in the field and behind a desk, from holiday projects on the Red Cross vessel Henry Dunant to the Standing Commission of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

From 2000 onwards, Princess Margriet devoted herself to highlighting the link between climate change and natural disasters. “The discussion was about the causes, not the consequences,” she says. “So when we pointed out the disastrous consequences of climate change-related disasters for the world population, we managed to get this subject on the humanitarian agenda.”

The last twenty years, Princess Margriet worked as vice-president of the National Board of the Netherlands Red Cross. She resigned from this position in January 2011. To thank her for her tireless efforts, the Red Cross established a Fund in her name: the Princess Margriet Fund. To this day, the Princess devotes her time and energy to the Fund and its mission.

Mission

The Netherlands Red Cross Princess Margriet Fund enables the Red Cross to take action before disaster strikes. This way, we prepare people for disasters and aim to prevent damage and suffering.

Vision

The Princess Margriet Fund supports projects which are innovative and aim to sustainably improve community resilience to natural hazards. Additionally, we realize that disasters are multifaceted. They affect all sectors of society and so should our preparation.

For this reason, we don’t just train disaster response teams. We also take into account the role of factors such as water and sanitation, agriculture, business and livelihoods, and the natural environment. This holistic approach, which takes into account as many problem-contributing factors as possible, is key to our work.

Many disasters can be traced back to (sometimes unavoidable) mismanagement of natural resources. Deforestation, for instance, increases the risk of floods, landslides and even drought, as rootless soil absorbs less water. Landscape restoration is therefore crucial to sustainably improve community resilience. To achieve this, we work together with partners such as Commonland and Red Cross data team 510.

The local population is involved in the design, execution and continuation of each project. After all, nobody knows the risks that a community faces as well as the inhabitants themselves. And by providing the community with materials, skills and knowledge, they can continue building their resilience after the aid workers have left.

Finally, climate change adaptation has a central role in our work. Vulnerable communities in countries such as Mali are already experiencing the consequences of changing weather patterns. If we want to prevent big disasters in the future, we need to take action before it is too late. To make a difference on this front, we look for projects that have potential for scalability and collaborate with knowledge partners such as the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre.

Take a look at the selection of ongoing projects below to see how we turn this vision into reality.

3,751

natural hazards were recorded over the last 10 years

Project 1: The Green Pearl Programme, Haiti

Our dream is to support Haiti in becoming the Green Pearl of the Caribbean again.

A green and prosperous nation in which the inhabitants live in harmony with their natural environment. Propelled forward by a new generation of Haitians who are resilient to natural disasters, develop a green economy and have hope and ambition for the future.

Context

Once called the Green Pearl of the Caribbean, Haiti was renowned for its great natural wealth and lush tropical forests. Today, that nickname seems mostly a distant memory. Only 2% of the original forest remains and natural disasters regularly strike the country.

Hurricanes, floods, droughts and earthquakes all occur in Haiti. In addition to this, it is also one of the poorest countries in the world. This deadly combination affects Haitians over and over again. The inhabitants hardly have enough time to rebuild their houses or sow their crops before the next disaster strikes.

The country is stuck in a vicious cycle of poverty and vulnerability. Deforestation and overgrazing result in less and less rainwater being absorbed by the soil, leading to more frequent flooding and landslides. In periods of drought, this arid soil is not able to support the crops which the population depends on for survival.

Goal

Our goal is to break the vicious cycle of vulnerability and poverty in Haiti. Over the coming twenty years we aim to assist thirty Haitian communities in becoming more resilient to natural disasters, restoring their hope for the future.

Approach

With sufficient land available for forestry and agriculture, enough rain, and a young population that yearns for a better future, the possibilities for Haiti are enormous.

We want to assist communities in creating this better future by working together to establish green pearls: safe and thriving communities which are supported by a healthy balance between human necessities, natural resources and economic development.

The first pearl is already in the making in Vallée de Jacmel, in southern Haiti. Together with local and international partners, we are currently designing a plan of action. In the next five years, two additional pearls are planned. Altogether, these three initial pearls will serve as the foundation and inspiration for the thirty pearls which will be created in the next twenty years.

Landscape restoration is central to these green pearls. In collaboration with the local population, we aim to reforest eroded mountainsides, install small dams to regulate the flow of rainwater, and work to identify and establish new sources of income. Alongside this, disaster response teams are being trained and schools are being upgraded to serve as emergency shelters.

This method has already proven itself. In a similar project in Côtes-de-Fer, the system of small dams protected the lower-lying areas from flooding and landslides during Hurricane Matthew in 2016. In this area, rainwater also better penetrates the soil, which in turn increases agricultural yields. The situation in Côtes-de-Fer has improved so significantly that people who previously fled to the city are returning to the area.

Planning

This programme began in 2019 and is currently in the first phase, which will continue until 2024. The entire programme (realization of thirty pearls) will last twenty years, until 2039.

Partners

For this project we are working together with Commonland, an organization which specializes in landscape restoration. Within Haiti, we are currently working on the initial business models and value chains together with LEOS. Furthermore, the Haitian Red Cross is our most important partner for implementation, and we use the analyses of the Red Cross data team 510 for the identification and monitoring of project areas.

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A girl holds a water tap in the Philippines

A girl holding a sponge in the Philippines

Two women working in a vegetable garden in the Philippines

Project 2: Coastal protection in Tacloban, the Philippines

Every year the Philippines is hit by natural disasters. The population is plagued by typhoons and monsoons, as well as the disastrous floods and tidal waves which often accompany these storms.

Proper preparation for these disasters can prevent a great deal of suffering. By supporting this project, the Princess Margriet Fund aims to establish such preparation in the Philippines, more specifically in the city of Tacloban and its surrounding area.

Context

Large parts of the city of Tacloban were destroyed by typhoon Haiyan in 2013. Buildings were demolished by strong winds, and the protecting sea wall proved unable to stop flooding in many areas. As a result, the floodwaters travelled many kilometers inland.

Leyte, the island home to Tacloban, was the most heavily affected island in the Philippines. More than 6,300 people died and more than 26,000 were injured. In all, 1.6 million families were affected by typhoon Haiyan.

Although Haiyan was an exceptionally devastating typhoon, this type of natural disaster is unfortunately not a rare occurrence in the Philippines. Approximately 20 typhoons hit the Philippines every year, while storms and monsoons result in frequent tidal waves and flooding. The population lives under constant threat due to these disasters, and faces extreme difficulty building a safe and stable life.

Goal

With this project we aim to help more than 17,000 people from 7 neighborhoods in and around Tacloban become more resilient in the face of the typhoons and floods that will most certainly reoccur.

Approach

As is usual for projects supported by the Princess Margriet Fund, we aim to increase the resilience of communities in and around Tacloban through a range of activities:

Restoration of mangrove forests. These trees grow in coastal water and anchor the soil, which blocks wind and creates mud banks. By restoring the coast with mangroves, natural breakwaters are formed, thus reducing the risk of flooding during storms. The forests are planted and maintained together with local residents and with expert consultation to optimally position the mangroves and use the ideal plant species.
Better warning systems, education about disaster risk reduction and emergency response trainings. With better warning systems for bad weather, more information about disaster preparation, and training for emergency response teams, the local population will be equipped with the knowledge of what to do when disasters strike.
Trainings and projects regarding hygiene, clean drinking water, and waste. Hurricane Haiyan destroyed numerous toilets and water pumps. Furthermore, many displaced people moved to live with others in more densely populated areas. In such situations, the health risks become much higher, as diseases can spread much more rapidly. Therefore, trainings on sanitation, water pump repair, and emergency sanitation help lower this risk. Repairing water pumps or placing them in alternative locations, as well as creating fixed locations for waste processing significantly reduce the health risks for the local population.
New, more diverse and sustainable sources of livelihood for the local population. This is strongly linked to the mangrove reforestation. Mangroves play an important role in the local ecosystem, as fish and other sea life thrive there. Residents can catch these fish for their own consumption or to sell.

Planning

This project started in 2018 and will continue until 2021.

Partners

Our most important executing partner is the Philippines Red Cross. Additionally, we collaborate with international organizations such as Commonland, Wetlands International, Catholic Relief Services and Climate International. We also collaborate with local stakeholders such as the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office, the Department of Education and the local water district.

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Project 3: Preparing for climate change in Kayes, Mali

The region of Kayes, Mali, is located along the Sénégal River. Its population regularly suffers as a result of droughts and flooding, which can both happen within the same season. Climate change exacerbates this situation, as the risk of extreme weather events increases. This creates severe consequences for the local population and the food production on which they rely.

We need to intervene before time runs out. Working together with the local population, the Princess Margriet Fund aims to improve the management of natural resources in the area, halt desertification, and increase crop yields.

Context

Drought comes in many forms for farmers in Mali. For example, the rainy season can begin too late, or can stop suddenly. There may also be rain during the entire season, but not enough for the crops. In every case, however, the crops do not achieve maximum growth. This results in smaller harvests, less food, and decreased income for farmers.

Further complicating the situation, cattle herders from neighboring areas flock to Kayes every year to graze their cattle on the land. Depending on the rainy season, the herders may come earlier or stay longer. This grazing damages fields, and very little vegetation remains to cover the soil. If rains occur afterwards, the soil cannot absorb the water properly and flooding may occur. These floods can wash away large swathes of fertile land, making it even more difficult for farmers to grow a sufficient harvest.

Competition between farmers and cattle herders often results in violent conflict in Mali. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance to work with the inhabitants of Kayes as quickly as possible to identify and establish livelihoods which are better adapted to the changing climate.

Goal

The goal of this project is to assist approximately 46,500 people, spread across 27 villages in the communes of Tafacirga, Sony and Kemene-Tambo, by making their communities more resilient to droughts, flooding, and the effects of climate change.

Approach

Three major interventions will be undertaken to make these Malian communities more resilient to extreme weather:

Providing better information about the weather and the water level in the river. The communities will be connected to information sources such as the national weather service to be informed as early as possible. This will make the population more aware of when rain will fall, when drought will occur, and when the river will flood. Farmers will learn how to use this information to increase their yields, for example by planting their seeds just before rainfall. In case of imminent floods, people can move their families and belongings to safety before it is too late. The population will also help close information gaps and improve forecasting models of the involved organizations by collecting information with rain and river level meters.
Introducing climate-smart livelihood strategies. These are measures that people can take to adjust their lifestyle and become more resilient to the effects of climate change. Climate-smart livelihood strategies help reduce vulnerability for example by:
- using crops which are more suitable for the changing climate;
- using farming techniques such as zaï and sand contour lines to collect more rainwater;
- pasteurizing milk in order to keep it longer;
- creating biogas which can be extracted from manure, so that less firewood is needed;
- creating poultry or fish farms as an alternative source of income;
- reforestation of the land with fruit trees and fodder trees.
Creating development plans. These long-term plans will be drawn up jointly by representatives of the villages involved, farmers’ organizations, disaster teams, technicians, and other stakeholders. By involving as many relevant groups as possible in these plans, they can create future-proof, sustainable plans themselves. Women are explicitly involved in the planning and decision-making process to ensure that their interests are also represented.

Planning

This project is currently being launched and will run until 2021.

Partners

The Mali Red Cross is our most important implementing partner. We also aim to establish partnerships with local, regional and national stakeholders and experts such as the Regional Union of Agricultural Cooperatives, the Institute for Rural Economy and the Ministry of Agriculture.

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A man works the land close to the Sénégal river in Kayes, Mali

A cart being pulled by donkeys surrounded by dry land in Mali

A Red Cross aid worker talks with the community in Mali

Women in vegetable gardens in Kayes, Mali

A women waters her crops in a vegetable garden in Kayes, Mali

A woman with a child on her back working in a vegetable garden in Mali

Members of Red Cross datateam 510 at work to support the measles response in the Philippines in 2019.

A member from datateam 510 works on maps after cyclone Idai hit Mozambique in 2019

A Red Cross aid worker checks on a child during a measles outbreak in the Philippines

Red Cross aid workers train to combat the spread of Ebola in Congo

A child is being vaccinated against ebola.

Project 4: 510 Epidemic Risk Assessment

Epidemics are among the most destructive and costly disasters in the world and they cause untold suffering for victims and the people around them. Therefore, when an outbreak occurs, it is crucial to contain it as quickly as possible by sending relief workers and supplies to the right places.

It is even better if preventive measures are taken before the outbreak of a disease in order to reduce the chance of outbreak. But how can aid organizations know where the risk of outbreak is the greatest, and how can they reduce that risk most efficiently? To get a better hold on this, the Red Cross data team 510 is developing the Epidemic Risk Assessment model, supported by the Princess Margriet Fund.

Context

The sooner a disease outbreak can be contained, the better. To prevent suffering among sick individuals and the people around them, but also to limit the effects beyond that.

When a serious disease outbreak occurs in a country, foreign investment grinds to a halt and trade slows down. For instance, the World Bank estimated that the 2014-2016 ebola crisis in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone had a negative economic impact of 2.8 billion dollars. Thus, the outbreak affected many people beyond the patients, their families, and friends.

Therefore, in the event of disease outbreaks such as ebola, measles, or cholera, rapid response is of vital importance. Between 2008 and 2017, epidemics triggered more than 200 emergency responses by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), surpassing all other disaster categories except for flooding. The 510 Epidemic Risk Assessment model is being developed to provide life-saving information to relief workers before, during, and after epidemic response.

Goal

The ultimate goal of this project is to develop a globally applicable model that quickly identifies the areas that are most at risk of epidemics.

Specifically, the Epidemic Risk Assessment (ERA) model will show health and relief workers the areas in which the risk of a disease outbreak is highest, and also will show what factors play a role in this. With this information at hand, health and relief workers can consolidate their efforts and take more targeted measures to reduce the risk of a disease spreading.

Aiming for global applicability, the framework could eventually benefit the entire world population. This surpasses the scope of the current project, however, which serves to lay the foundation for the model and deploy it in a first pilot country.

At the end of this project in 2020, we aim to have the system tested and implemented in one country. It should support the Red Cross and other organizations in that country by providing relevant data to inform their decision-making regarding epidemics.

Approach

The Epidemic Risk Assessment (ERA) model can best be explained through a fictional example. Take dengue fever, which is a recurring problem in the Philippines. If relief workers in this country were able to use the fully developed ERA model, they would be able to see at a glance which areas are most vulnerable to this disease.

The ERA model doesn’t stop there, as relief workers would be able to view a comprehensive list of dozens of variables which contribute to the areas’ vulnerability, such as the percentage of malnutrition or the number of open water pits.

Alongside the list of factors, the ERA model would show how much influence each factor has on the spread of dengue. The amount of open water pits, for example, is a key influencer, as open water attracts mosquitoes that then spread dengue.

With this wealth of information at their fingertips, aid workers now know that in this case one approach to reduce the risk of a dengue outbreak would be to install covered water sources in at-risk areas.

The development of the ERA model is divided into four phases:

Knowledge gathering by researching all variables that influence the spread of disease. This information is then used to create one comprehensive analytical model.
IT development. The knowledge gathered should become available through a computer program that emergency workers have access to and which they can use in the event of a crisis without having to invest much time or effort.
Pilot project. At this stage we will test the model and identify areas for improvement.
Improve ease of use and scale up. We will build partnerships with the local Red Cross, international organizations, and academic institutions, and aim to fully implement the model in one country.

Planning

510 has been working on the Epidemic Risk Assessment model since October 2017, but large-scale research was started in early 2019. The project is planned to finalize at the end of 2020.

Partners

This project is being conducted by 510, a humanitarian data team initiated by the Netherlands Red Cross. 510 aims to improve the speed, quality, and cost-effectiveness of humanitarian aid through the use of data and digital products.

For this project, 510 currently cooperates with the Philippines Red Cross, Erasmus University, Erasmus Medical Center, Maastricht University and UN OCHA. The team largely consists of driven and skilled volunteers, all of whom devote their time, knowledge, and skills to this project because they believe in it. These volunteers are comprised of master’s students, academics, and international experts, and their knowledge and expertise is indispensable to the 510 team.

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