Situation Report 3 BOLIVIA FLOODS - 29 January 2008

Transcription

1 Situation Report 3 BOLIVIA FLOODS - 29 January 2008 This situation report is based on information received from the Office of the Resident Coordinator, UN Agencies, the Bolivian Government, the UN Emergency Technical Team (UNETT) in Bolivia and OCHA Regional Office in Panama. HIGHLIGHTS Severe flooding in Bolivia that began in November 2007 has affected more than families and killed 36 people, according to government figures. The most affected departments include Cochabamba, Santa Cruz, Chuquisaca, Potosi and Beni. Joint field assessment teams have taken place in La Paz, Santa Cruz, Cochabamba and Chuquisaca. The main needs identified are food and non-food items (blankets, mattresses, hygiene kits, sheets, etc), shelter, water and sanitation, protection and health. SITUATION OVERVIEW 1. Severe flooding in Bolivia that began in November 2007 has affected more than families and killed 36 people, according to government figures. The most affected departments include Cochabamba, Santa Cruz, Chuquisaca, Potosi and Beni. The emergency is still at its initial phase. However, according to the national Hydrology Institute (SNHN), the river levels, particularly in the Amazonian watershed, will exceed 2007 floods levels, generating an approximate increase of.50 cm to a meter above 2007 recorded figures. As the experiences of 2006 and 2007 have shown, waters will flow in large waves from the highland to Beni and Pando in approximately two weeks and a month respectively. Thus, it is expected that waters could cover the lowlands up to early April. The situation is being closely monitored in Beni. The Government, with the support of the UN and other international partners, is taking immediate measures. 2. The Civil Defense started assessing the situation and according to their preliminary reports of the affected zones and number of families affected, the heavy rains have caused 35 casualties, while 3 people are missing and some 25,981 families are affected. 3. The following chart shows the latest figures provided by the Civil Defense: Department # of families affected Beni 915 Chuquisaca 4, 271 Cochabamba 8, 414 La Paz 2, 940 Oruro 805 Pando 31 Potosi 2, 426 Santa Cruz 5, 530 Tarija 649 Total 25, 981 Situation per Department 4. Santa Cruz There are 5, 500 families affected by flooding in Santa Cruz. The worst affected areas are Paillon,

2 Page 2 Okinawa, San Julian, Yapacani. Prioritized needs are for 250 families in camps and in water and sanitation. Some 79% of the roads (5, 196 kms) are affected by the flooding with 1, 834 kms that are impassable (source SEPCAM). Vast agricultural areas are under water. An inter-agency evaluation is due to take place on the 27 January. Humanitarian agencies present in the area include UNETE, ACH, IOM, UNDAC, TSF and IFRC. 5. Cochabamba There are 8, 414 families affected by flooding in Cochabamba. The worst affected areas are Villa Tunari (Chapare), Chimore (Carrasco), San Isidro and Puerto Villaroel. Prioritized needs include food and water, especially as wells are contaminated. There are no camps established at this time. There has been serious damage in agriculture, cattle production, education infrastructure, tourism and the road networks (especially in the new and old road to Santa Cruz). The Civil Defense is coordinating assessments through its office in the region. Humanitarian agencies present in the region include CR, UNDAC, MSF, MDM, Swiss Contact and SAR Bolivia. 6. Chuquisaca There are 4, 271 families affected in Chuquisaca. The province of Sudanez is experiencing hail, on-going flooding, extreme cold temperatures and animal disease outbreaks. Prioritized needs are for food (for 3 months), agriculture and housing. There are humanitarian agencies present in the region. 7. Beni There are 915 families affected in Beni. Prioritized areas of humanitarian focus include food (for 3 months), agriculture (rice and yuca), water (as potable sources are contaminated with organic waste), health (respiratory infections) and non-food items (clothes). There are 575 families in camps to prevent worsening health and living conditions. The areas worst affected by flooding are Trinidad Province, Loreto, San Andres (Province of. Marban) and the rural areas. Indigenous populations are affected in Parque Isiboro Secore, Tipnis, and San Ignacio, Provincia Noxos. Humanitarian agencies present in the region include UNETE, UNDAC, Solidaridad, Medica Canaria, Caritas and Save the Children. Given the nature of the flooding this area is at high risk in the coming days. 8. La Paz There are 2, 940 families affected in La Paz. Prioritized areas of humanitarian focus include water and sanitation, housing, security and health (preventive health campaigns). The worst affected areas are Zorata and Hampaturi. Humanitarian agencies present in the region include UNETE, UNDAC, Plan International, World Vision and official assistance provided by the local authorities (the Mayor and the DC). On January 28, the Government reported that flash floods triggered a mudslide that broke a water pipeline, thereby affecting more than 2, 000 people in La Paz, nearly one-quarter of the city's population. Mandatory water rationing has been imposed in 25 communities. Evacuations were carried out in various neighborhoods and more floods are expected in the northern region. PRELIMINARY NEEDS 9. The main needs identified are food and nonfood items (blankets, mattresses, hygiene kits, sheets, etc), shelter, water and sanitation, protection and health. Education needs are still being assessed. Due to the extent of agricultural damages, the sector will require assistance, still to be quantified. The humanitarian community aims at focusing on the protection of vulnerable persons. NATIONAL RESPONSE 10. Following the situation report issued by the National Civil Defense System (CONARADE), President Morales declared a state of emergency (a red alert) on 21 January, in order to assist the affected people. On January 24, the Executive approved a supreme decree permitting the channeling of the US$ 12 million to assist the areas affected by the La Niña

3 Page 3 Phenomenon. On 29 January, the Government of Bolivia convened the international community in La Paz to inform of the current situation, needs and actions and to solicit support and assistance. Ministries of Planning, Water, Civil Defense, External Relations, Basic Services, Health, Education, Decentralization, Budget and Rural Development attended the meeting and called for support in the identified areas (listed below). The Civil Defense and the UNDAC could present an overview of the situation per department while several partners (CAF, OEA, World Bank, Plan International, USAID/OFDA and the UN system) could inform of the current contributions and funneling of development funds to respond to immediate needs. Efforts to strengthen coordination, improve the flow of information and to better articulate social/human dimensions in the list of requirements, were priority topics discussed. 11. The Civil Defense is responding to the emergency with the distribution of food items. Some 423 MT of food ( families for 20 days) have been distributed so far, with the support of the World Food Programme (WFP) and other institutions. So far, the Civil Defense has provided assistance to some 20,000 families since November. In terms of coordination, all COEDS have activated several sectoral commissions gathering all departmental actors. Assessments are ongoing and sectoral commissions both at national and departmental level are compiling initial data. 12. The Government has decided to establish a Joint Command (JC) for Natural Disasters for the response at a national level, based in Santa Cruz. The Civil Defense is working with the Joint Command. The Bolivian Road Administration (Administradora Boliviana de Caminos) is working arduously to rehabilitate the road network; this is asked for most by the affected communities. According to initial assessments, 83% of the main roads is passable while secondary roads remains problematic. The Bolivian Red Cross is carrying out needs assessments and the local branches in Beni, La Paz, Cochabamba, Potosi and Santa Cruz have held meetings to assess the situation and where possible activate the Emergency Operation Centers in the affected areas. The Bolivian Red Cross (BRC) is participating in meetings with the Civil Defense and is represented in the Emergency Operations Centre in Santa Cruz. In addition, the International Federation is coordinating closely with the UNDAC team and all the members of the United Nations present in the field. The BRC is participating in sectoral meetings regarding the coordination of food, nutrition and health activities with governmental and international organizations. INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE 13. The United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team has been providing support to national authorities in terms of coordination, information management and coordination of initial assessments. Joint field assessments teams (consisting of UN agencies, ONGs, Civil Defense, the International Federation of the Red Cross IFRC and local authorities) have been organized to optimize and avoid duplication of efforts. To date, four of these joint field assessments have taken place in the following departments: La Paz, Santa Cruz, Cochabamba and Chuquisaca. There is a continued UNDAC presence in the following areas; Santa Cruz, Cochabamba, Chuquisaca, Beni and La Paz. UN agencies have been providing close assistance to the sectoral mechanisms that were implemented after today s meeting with the Government. 14. The current situation requires a comprehensive evaluation of the situation to provide donors with a targeted request for funding. A Humanitarian Country Team-like including the UNCT, IOM and the IFRC has met to review the situation. A CERF is likely to be requested. According to initial assessment, international assistance contribution amount so far to approx. USD 3.1 million (see assistance table below). 15. WFP is currently assisting 37,000 people affected by January 2008 floods in the departments of Beni, Santa Cruz and Cochabamba. Food assistance

4 Page 4 will also be provided to 25,000 people in other affected departments. A field mission has been sent to Beni and Santa Cruz to assess the most affected areas. WFP Bolivia is receiving the support of a logistics officer from the Country Office in Ecuador. 16. The UNICEF office in Bolivia has a basic stock of supplies such as tents, mobile schools, water filters, and chlorine. Additional resources may be required depending on the sectoral commissions. UNICEF and WFP, based on their mandate in emergency telecommunications, have been active in ensuring the adequate support. TSF as a member of UNDAC is providing complementary support. 17. Some CHF 125,000 (USD 110,132 or EUR 75,758) has been allocated from the Federation s Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) to support the Bolivian Red Cross (BRC) with providing immediate assistance to 6,000 beneficiaries. The situation changes constantly in Bolivia. Unearmarked funds to repay DREF are encouraged. 18. The Organization of American States also plans to help in relief efforts, OAS Secretary General Jose Miguel Insulza said during a two-day visit to Bolivia last week. 19. ACT International members present in the country, the Evangelical Methodist Church in Bolivia (IEMB) and Lutheran World Relief (LWR), are currently assessing the damage and needs. LWR has implementing partners working in the departments of Potosí and Chuquisaca. IEMB works in coordination with their local congregations in various provinces of the La Paz Department. ACT members are coordinating with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bolivia (IELB). Future interventions could likely include the rehabilitation of homes, water supplies and agriculture. ACT members are considering plans to submit an ACT appeal to the ACT Coordinating Office (CO). Care International, is working from its local office in Potosi and will participate in the shelter sector. 20. Save the Children, working with local Civil Defense Emergency Committees, is currently supplying medicines in the municipalities of Yapacani and Puerto Villarroel and assessing emerging needs in those areas. In El Alto, Save the Children has already provided food, and blankets to families whose homes were damaged by the flooding. 21. According to the Foreign Ministry, Chile and Venezuela sent humanitarian aid to Bolivia, including food and two aircraft. The U.S. Embassy has allocated food and victuals estimated at US $50,000. The Andean Development Corporation, or CAF, has granted Bolivia a US$20 million loan and the World Bank (WB) US$12.5 million to deal with the damage caused by floods. Peru committed to send food and medicine. Brazil sent 3 helicopters and boats for search and rescue missions, as well as food, tents and lifeboats. 22. OCHA ROLAC met with the Bolivian Ambassador in Panama, who requested tents, medicine, blankets and food. REDLAC held an ad hoc meeting on January 28 about the situation in Bolivia. OCHA allocated a USD 40,000 emergency cash grants. A MapAction team deployed to Bolivia on 26 January is assisting in response to the severe flooding will work in close partnership with an information manager from UNOCHA and will produce situation maps to assist coordination of national and international response. 23. The Bolivian Ambassador in Brussels appealed to the solidarity of the European Union, indicating that short-term assistance required would include logistics assistance (equipment, boats, helicopters, etc), assistance for displaced persons, food supplies and most importantly drinking water. Basic humanitarian supplies should in principle be available locally or regionally. The MIC will continue to liaise with the EC Delegation and UNDAC to ascertain whether there are any needs for relief items which cannot be met through local/regional procurement. At first analysis, European civil protection assistance could therefore usefully focus on the following types of assistance: i) logistical assistance as specified above ii) water sanitation teams/modules

5 Page 5 Assistance Table Agency/Country Contribution or pledge USD Peru Food and victuals Venezuela Logistic support Japan Food and victuals 100,000.0 Italy Food and victuals 1,500,000.0 COSUDE Switzerland Food and victuals 100,000.0 Bolivian Red Cross / IFRC Food and victuals 105,000.0 WFP EMOP Child protection, UNICEF watsan and education Admin and shelter IOM support Technical assistance PAHO/WHO and relief items Humanitarian USAID assistance and logistics CAF Logistics, Food and Victuals 175,000.0 CHINA Seeds and logistics 300,000.0 Child protection, Sweden watsan and education 350,000.0 Spain Food and Victuals 100,000.0 Child protection, Spain AECI watsan and education 155,000.0 Fuel and Damage IDB assessments 200,000.0 OCHA Relief items 40,000.0 TOTAL 3,125,000

6 Page 6 For any query, please contact: Contact Details Desk Officer (New York) Humanitarian Affairs Officer GCMS (Geneva) Ms. Heidi Kuttab Mr. Thierry Delbreuve Office Tel: Office Fax: kuttab@un.org Office Tel: delbreuve@un.org OCHA Regional Office in Panama Mr. Max Bonnel Office Tel: bonnel@un.org Press Contact: (New York) Ms. Stephanie Bunker Ms. Christina Bennett Office Tel : Office Fax: bunker@un.org Office Tel: Office Fax: bennett1@un.org (Geneva) Ms. Elizabeth Byrs Office Tel Office Fax byrs@un.org

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