EUROPEAN COMMISSION DIRECTORATE-GENERAL HUMANITARIAN AID AND CIVIL PROTECTION - ECHO

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1 EUROPEAN COMMISSION DIRECTORATE-GENERAL HUMANITARIAN AID AND CIVIL PROTECTION - ECHO Monthly report number 2013/08 Month JULY Country South America (except Colombia for HA) Date of submission 09/08/13 Author ECHO Quito team MONTHLY REPORT 1. SUMMARY / MAIN HIGHLIGHTS (1) Argentina Heavy rains and floods: Overflowing of Rivers Iguazú and Paraná have caused severe damages in the provinces of Chaco, Corrientes, Santa Fe and Misiones. (2) Bolivia Extreme low temperatures and drought: A total 10 persons have died as a consequence of extreme low temperatures. The western part of the country is being affected by frost and hailstorms and 5 of the 9 departments present a hydric deficit: Tarija, Santa Cruz, Chuquisaca, Beni and Cochabamba; where 17,484 families have been affected. (3) Brazil protests and social up-rising: Massive protests continue while thousands of people from favelas of Rio de Janeiro have joined pacifically the massive protests. People demanded to the government improvements in public health infrastructure, health attention and nursery schools in favelas. (4) Chile protests and social up-rising: Workers protests cause damages in Santiago. The National Federation of Workers protested demanding an improvement of their labour conditions, social security and tributary reform. Protests turned violent causing destruction. Ah1N1 influenza outbreak: at least 33 persons have died as consequence of AH1N1 influenza type outbreak in the country. At least 428 cases have been confirmed nationwide. (5) Ecuador Tungurahua and Reventador volcanoes activity: Tungurahua volcano activity is high; four big explosions have been registered, accompanied by strong tremors as well as incandescent rocks, and steam and ash emissions. Heavy ash fall has been registered causing a severe impact in agriculture. Also, Reventador volcano has increased its activity, accompanied by lava flows and emissions of steam, gas and ashes as well as seismic tremors in the interior of the cone. (6) Paraguay Overflowing of Paraná River: According to updated information at least 12,954 families have been affected by overflowing of Paraná and Paraguay rivers. (7) Peru Earthquake, influenza and pneumonia outbreak, coffee plague: A 5.7 magnitude earthquake at depth of 9km struck Caylloma province, Department of Arequipa. At least 1,128 persons have been affected from which 464 have been severely affected and are in need of assistance. No victims have been reported. Ah1N1 influenza and pneumonia outbreak: At least 546 cases of influenza type AH1N1 have been confirmed countrywide, a total of 31 persons have died due to this type of influenza. At least 87 persons (mainly children under 5 years) have died as consequence of pneumonia in the departments of Arequipa, Cusco, Piura and Puno. Coffee plague: Coffee yellow rust has completely destroyed coffee crops affecting more than coffee growers. The Government has declared in emergency the regions affected by the coffee rust. 1/9

2 Colombia Ecuador Venezuela Guyana Suriname French Guiana EVENTS Ecuador: Tungurahua and Reventador volcanoes activity is high. Peru: A 5.7 earthquake hit Arequipa causing damages. AH1N1 influenza and pneumonia outbreak registered. Coffee rust has devastated 43% of coffee crops in the country. Peru Bolivia Brazil Bolivia: A protracted drought and extreme low temperatures are affecting several departments in the country. An AH1N1 influenza outbreak has also been registered. Paraguay Brazil: Massive protests continue in Rio de Janeiro Chile Argentina Uruguay LEGEND Floods Coldwaves Droughts Earthquakes Landslides Volcanic eruption Storms Fires Tsunami Epidemics Paraguay: Overflowing of Paraná River is causing severe affectation in several areas of the country. Argentina: Overflowing of Rivers Iguazú and Paraná has caused severe damages in the provinces of Chaco, Corrientes, Santa Fe and Misiones. Chile: AH1N1 influenza outbreak registered in the country. At least 33 persons have died. Workers protests cause damages in Santiago. ECHO MAIN ACTIVITIES Colombia Ecuador Venezuela Guyana Suriname French Guiana Meeting with DIPECHO Regional Projects in order to organize the Regional Planning Meeting. Assessment visit to Loreto (Peru) in order to analyse the situation as consequence of recurrent floods and the pertinence of a potential operation to strengthen resilience. Peru Bolivia Brazil Paraguay Chile Argentina Uruguay Response operation Response operation monitored DP operation DP operation monitored 2/9

3 ARGENTINA Heavy rains and floods Water level of Iguazú River increased considerably causing severe damages in the provinces of Chaco and Corrientes, where Paraná River is only 1cm to reach 7m, which is the overflowing level. The provinces of Santa Fe and Misiones are also at risk. Floods have already blocked roads and isolated several communities. At least 1,600 persons (320 families) have been evacuated in Corrientes. In Chaco 1,700 persons have been evacuated to temporary shelters. Authorities have distributed sand sacks for reinforcing the river protection walls. According to forecasts the river could surpass its overflowing level by mid-july. Due to this situation authorities of the Municipality of Santa Fe have declared in emergency in order to undertake preventive actions. It is foreseen that the water level could reach the city of Paraná, capital city of the Province of Entre Ríos. According to authorities the river could reach its maximum water level by 13 July surpassing 5 metres in Paraná; while in Diamante (south of Paraná), it is expected a maximum water level of 5,50 metres by 15 July. The river is under strict surveillance and actions are being coordination also with national authorities. At least 70% of the cattle have been evacuated from the islands in the province of Entre Rios; approximately 350,000 animals were at risk of dying because of the floods. Overflowing of Paraná River has severely affected the agricultural sector specially cattle. Heavy rains and floods in the basin of Paraná River between Ciudad del Este (Paraguay, Foz de Iguazú (Brazil) and Puerto Iguazú (Argentina) have force to close the famous waterfalls due to overflowing of Iguazú River. Footbridges and viewpoints have been destroyed in the triple border. Harsh weather conditions forced authorities of the Brazilian- Paraguayan hydroelectric power station of Itaipú to maintain its floodgates open to let the reservoir waters to flow in order to avoid a disaster. BOLIVIA Drought and extreme low temperatures A total 10 persons have died as a consequence of extreme low temperatures. The western part of the country is being affected by frost and hailstorms and 5 of the 9 departments present a hydric deficit: Tarija, Santa Cruz, Chuquisaca, Beni and Cochabamba. According to the Civil Defence (VIDECI), 17,484 families have been affected so far in 18 municipalities, as well as 93,000 hectares of land, and 33,000 head of cattle; while 225,000 head of cattle are at risk of dying. The Bolivian Chaco, which includes three departments, is one of the most affected regions together with the southern cone of Cochabamba Department. Tarija and Santa Cruz Departments have been declared in emergency. The National Government has declared national emergency to reinforce the support. A multi sector evaluation is expected in el Chaco, in order to determine if there is food insecurity, acute child malnutrition and if other sectors such as WASH or health have also been affected. Influenza AH1N1, AH3N2 and B type influenza have killed already 6 persons in Tarija Department has been declared in sanitary emergency due to AH1NI influenza, and El Alto city due to AH3N2. 2. HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE AND MAIN ISSUES ECHO Quito Field Office is closely monitoring the situation in Bolivia. ECHO s Drought partners in El Chaco Region are also closely monitoring the situation. This drought event will be a test for some of the measures implemented during Phase 1 of the Drought Initiative. 3/9

4 BRAZIL Protests, riots and social up-rising Massive protests continue in Brazil - Thousands of people from favelas of Rio de Janeiro have joined pacifically the massive protests that are taking place in the Brazilian state. More than 1,000 people from favela Rocinha have marched together with other 1,500 people from other favelas to Leblon, one of the most exclusive neighborhoods of Rio de Janeiro. People demanded to the government the improvements in public health infrastructure, health attention and nursery schools in favelas. With this pacific marches poor people has joined the middle class population in the protests which continue causing chaos in the Brazilian political class. The popularity of the Brazilian president, Dilma Roussef has decreased significantly during the last days. A recent survey made to 4,717 people in 196 municipalities shows that Roussef s image has declined from 57% to 30% in only three weeks. 81% of the people interviewed support the protests and 65% believes that protests have been more positive than negative. Important political changes are being prepared by the government, as President Roussef said that she would throw a proposal for a political reform through a legitimate and democratic process, which would include a referendum. Even though people continue to protest in the streets claiming for real social changes, the average of a protest per hour touches already 353 cities, in three weeks more than 22 daily protests have taken place. According to specialists, this process responds to a renewed, more educated and more informed Brazilian civil society which continues dealing with archaic institutions which do not respond anymore to the needs of the population. CHILE Protests cause social up-raising Workers protests cause damages in Santiago - The National Federation of Workers protested demanding an improvement of their labour conditions, social security and tributary reform. Protests turned violent and workers blocked the streets with barricades, a bus was set on fire in the Central Station and they also threw stones and Molotov cocktails to security forces. Protesters marched through a main avenue; protests were controlled by the police forces. Outbreak of AH1N1 influenza According the Ministry of Health, at least 33 persons have died due to an outbreak of AH1N1 influenza type in the country. At least 428 cases have been confirmed nationwide; being the most affected the northern region of Tarapacá where 12 deaths have been registered. The illness has affected to persons over 50 years. The government has started a vaccination campaign in Tarapacá and a sanitary alert has been issued. A total of 135 thousand persons have been vaccinated so far. According to officials 92% of the persons that died from the disease were not vaccinated. ECUADOR Tungurahua Volcano eruption process According to the National Geophysical Institute, Tungurahua volcano activity is high. During the last week four big explosions have been registered, accompanied by strong tremors which were felt in the nearby communities, as well as incandescent rocks, and steam and ash emissions. The Geophysical Institute and the National Risk Management Secretariat continue monitoring the situation and informing the population in case sudden changes of the volcano behaviour are registered. At least 500 heads of cattle have been affected by the ashes; there is no fodder available due to the quantity of ash fall. Also, at least 2,500 hectares of potato, peas, carrot, broad bean, and onion crops and pasture have been severely damaged. 4/9

5 Ash fall has been reported in the volcano surrounding communities: El Manzano, Choglontus, Puela, Chauaji, Cevallos, Quero and Mocha. As well as in other provinces of Ecuador: Tungurahua, Chimborazo, Bolívar, Cotopaxi, Santo Domingo, Los Ríos, Manabí and Guayas. Orange alert has been issued in Tungurahua and Chimborazo provinces due to the increase in the eruption process of the volcano. The authorities have suggested to the affected population to abandon voluntarily their homes. No official information about the damages to crops and cattle is available at the moment. The National Risk Management Secretariat has distributed approximately 1,000 masks for the population affected by the presence of ashes. Reventador volcano increases its activity Reventador volcano has increased its activity, accompanied by the emission of lava flows which descend by the south-western flank of the volcano. Also emissions of steam, gas and ashes were registered in the volcano, as well as seismic tremors in the interior of the cone. According to the National Geophysical Institute, the seismic activity of Reventador volcano is considered high at the moment and it is under strict surveillance. PARAGUAY Overflowing of Parana River According to officials, at least 12,954 families have been affected by overflowing of Paraná and Paraguay rivers; from which 3,712 families are located in communities included in the latest emergency decree No : Alto Paraná, Misiones and Ñeembucú Departments, and 9,242 are located in the Departments of Itapua, San Pedro, Concepción, Amambay, President Hayes, Alto Paraguay and Asunción. The National Emergency Secretariat (SEN) has provided food assistance for 9,676 families. While, humanitarian actors, in coordination with SEN, are evaluating the humanitarian situation and identifying the kind of support required for each sector. Regarding the over flooding affecting the city of Asuncion, the latest report of the Municipal Disaster and Emergencies Council (COMUEDA) indicates that about 1,000 families were affected by overflowing of the river in the capital. 2. HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE AND MAIN ISSUES ECHO is closely monitoring the situation with its partners in the field. TwoRed Cross Societies (Paraguayan and Finnish) are involved in local damage assessment missions, as the DIPECHO project they implement has some beneficiary municipalities affected by the floods. PERU Earthquake in Arequipa Department According to the National Geophysical Institute, on 16 July a 5.7 earthquake in the Richter scale at depth of 9km hit the province of Caylloma, Department of Arequipa, south of Peru. As per preliminary data at least 1,128 persons have been affected from which 464 have been severely affected and are in need of assistance; 118 houses have collapsed and 116 are partially damaged. No victims have been reported. Irrigation channels have been destroyed; this will cause an immediate effect in the agricultural sector. Affected population is being fostered in temporary shelters and humanitarian assistance has been slowly provided. The situation is complicated as this is the winter season and houses have collapsed, population will have to face the winter in harsh conditions. The Geophysical Institute of Peru reports at least 1,500 aftershocks in this zone; and is trying to determine if the earthquake and seismic activity are linked to the eruption process of Sabancaya Volcano; but it is more likely that both conditions are linked. 5/9

6 The Regional Government of Arequipa has declared in emergency the districts affected by the earthquake. Through the emergency decree resources will be available for the immediate response and rehabilitation of affected areas. AH1N1 Influenza and pneumonia outbreak According to the Ministry of Health at least 546 cases of influenza type AH1N1 have been confirmed countrywide; from which 75% have been registered in Lima and Callao. A total of 31 persons have died due to this type of influenza. The Ministry of Health has distributed at national level a total of 1, 7000,000 doses of influenza vaccines for adults and 1,200,000 doses for children. On 15 July an epidemiologic alert was issued in all health establishments nationwide in order to strengthen preventive and response actions to face the influenza outbreak. Also, an awareness campaign is being carried out to sensitize the population on the outbreak. For the third week of August, the MoH expects the arrival of 1,100,000 doses of vaccines to protect from the different type of influenza. Yellow alert has been issued for 4 departments which present an alarming increase of influenza cases: Arequipa, Ica, La Libertad, and Moquegua. Piura Department: At least 12 persons died of pneumonia in the city of Piura. In the last week a total of 26 cases of severe pneumonia have been registered, since the beginning of the year 397 cases have been reported. However, these numbers show a decrease of 10% of pneumonia in relation to the registered cases in the past years. At regional level, since the beginning of the year a total of 76,754 cases of acute respiratory infections have been registered, and in the last week 3,593 cases have been reported. Puno Department: Red alert declared due to the increase of deaths cause by pneumonia in the province of San Román due to the number of deaths registered in children under five years caused by pneumonia. At least 14 children have died of the illness in the last month. The Regional Health Office will carry out integral health attention campaigns for children and adults. Medicines and warm clothes will be distributed in the rural areas. A vaccination campaign will be also carried out. Cusco Department: At least 15 children under five years died due to pneumonia. Rural areas are mainly affected by the disease which is accompanied by weak health services. Also, since the beginning of the year 60,000 persons have been treated in hospitals and health centres for acute respiratory infections. Lambayeque Department: 5 cases of pneumonia registered as a consequence of extreme low temperatures in this coastal department. At least 88 cases of pneumonia in children under five years have been reported in this year. No victims have been reported. Arequipa Department: 46 deaths registered due to pneumonia as a consequence of the extreme low temperatures registered in the department. Meanwhile, a total of 101,096 children under five years and 171,984 adults have been treated for acute respiratory infections. Awareness campaigns regarding prevention and promotion of safe health practices are being carried out as well as a vaccination campaign. Yellow Rust in coffee plantations According to the National Coffee Board, la roya plague or yellow rust has completely destroyed coffee crops affecting more than 60,000 coffee growers. Due to this situation, the Government has declared in emergency the regions affected by the coffee rust (roya amarilla). Most affected departments are: Ayacucho, Cajamarca, Cusco, Huánuco, Junín, Pasco, Puno, San Martín, Ucayali, Piura, and the VRAEM area (valley of the rivers Apurimac, Ene and Mantaro). Through the decree, regional and local governments must implement immediate actions to control the spreading of the plague and provide emergency assistance to the affected areas in coordination with the National Civil Defence Institute, the Ministry of Agriculture and the National Service of Agrarian Sanitation and other institutions. The National Civil Defence Institute will be responsible for coordinating actions among the regional and local governments and public sector institutions in terms of response and rehabilitation in the framework of the emergency. Puno: forest fire destroys more than 4,000 hectares of crops A forest fire has destroyed at least 4,000 hectares of crops and pastures in the District of Kelluyo, province of Chucuito, Puno Department. Approximately 500 families have been affected. 6/9

7 The fire easily expanded because of the wind and the area that is characterized by a huge plain. The fire was controlled after 26 hours. VRAEM conflict In July, terrorists burst in a road consortium company and destroyed machinery in Ayacucho, in the area of Tutambaru, Huanta province. They set fire to the machinery, vehicles and hold prisoners to some workers. No victims were reported. According to the mayor, the objective of the terrorists was to destroy the machinery in order that the company give up their work and move away from the area. In this area, as a form of extortion terrorists charge a fee to private companies. The population of Tutambaru was warned before the attack to stay in their homes. Authorities informed that since the last months terrorists have come out from the places they were confined and are intimidating the population and private companies in the Vraem area. Last month, 20 members of Shining Path attacked a company (Consorcio Vial Quinua) and they stole food and equipment. During this incident two policemen were wounded. Terrorists caught with a load of drugs in Satipo, Junín Department: The armed forces and the police confronted terrorists that were providing security to a drug load in a light aircraft in a clandestine runway in the province of Satipo, Junín Department. According to official information, terrorists provide security to drug dealers in the area. A total of 60 k of cocaine, radios, sat phone, a gun and 25 petrol tanks were recovered. Unfortunately, the aircraft take off without trace. July s events represent a rupture of the so far tense but quiet 2013 trend in the VRAEM Region. It appears very likely that the well announced plans of the Peruvian government of pacifying, eradicating coca crops and regaining control of the large VRAEM region announced in 2013 have finally entered in direct collision with the PCP-Shining Path, coca growers and smugglers ambitions in the region. Of particular symbolic relevance are the Putis events. Putis, which was a classic Shining path stronghold in the 1980 s, is known for being the location of the best known peasants massacre conducted by the Peruvian Army (123 people were lately discovered in a mass grave). June events tend to confirm as well the reported PCP-Shining Path intentions to expand its presence and eventual control over the jungle region. 7/9

8 ONGOING OPERATIONS REGIONAL EMERGENCY HIP 2012 Regional Humanitarian Implementation plan (HIP) of 5 million with 12 months duration to assist people affected by severe flooding in South America, particularly in Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Ecuador, Colombia and Brazil. Projects ongoing: Ecuador: COOPI, AVCF, Spanish Red Cross and Plan International ( 1,290,020). Peru: CESVI, German Red Cross, Spanish Red Cross, WHH, and COOPI ( 2,451,077). Bolivia: FAO and COOPI ( 580,600). Paraguay: COOPI and Spanish Red Cross ( 678,303) DRR/Resilience Programmes DRR/ Resilience Projects started in May: Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil, Chile and Argentina MEUR 26 projects en 18 contracts Regional Humanitarian response and main issues 55 partners, 9 consortia 4 regional projects 8/9

9 Regional rainfall forecast July - September 2013 Venezuela: More probabilities of precipitation above normal levels in most of the country. Colombia: More probabilities of precipitation above normal levels in the northern parts of the Andean region; while in the Caribbean region and southern Andean regions precipitations near normal levels are expected. Ecuador: More probabilities of precipitations above normal levels in the highlands and precipitations below normal levels in the coastal region. Peru: More probabilities of precipitation near or below normal levels in most of the country. Argentina: More probabilities of precipitation above normal levels in the Patagonia region and the southern areas of Buenos Aires. More probabilities of precipitation of near normal levels in the Cuyo region; while in the central region and northern areas of Buenos Aires, precipitations below normal levels are expected. Uruguay: More probabilities of precipitation near normal levels in most of the country. Bolivia: More probabilities of precipitation above normal levels in the highlands and valleys; while in the eastern and northern regions of the country precipitations below and near normal levels are expected. Chile: More probabilities of precipitations below normal levels in the northern and central regions. In the southern and Austral regions precipitations near and below normal levels. Paraguay: More probabilities of precipitations below normal levels in most of the country. Sources: (CIIFEN), International research centre on el Niño 9/9