ANNEX IV-3 EUROPEAN COMMISSION HUMANITARIAN AID OFFICE (ECHO) Monthly report number 2011/10 Month October Country South America (except Colombia for HA) Date of submission 08/10/11 Author ECHO Quito team 1. SUMMARY / MAIN HIGHLIGHTS MONTHLY REPORT (1) Bolivia H1N1 outbreak and indigenous protest: Bolivian government and TIPNIS indigenous have dialogued and agreed that the construction of the road will be suspended until a referendum is held next year. As an impact for ECHO the protest has delayed implementation of some of the on going ECHO funded projects. Health authorities confirmed 3 deaths and 560 cases of AH1N1 influenza in Bolivia; mainly in the Department of Santa Cruz where 80% of the confirmed cases have been registered. Cochabamba and Chuquisaca departments have also been affected. The regional government is responding to this situation. (2) Argentina Puyehue - Cordon Caulle Volcano eruption effects: Puyehue volcano increased its seismic activity, considerable steam and ash explosions were registered. Incessant ash fall continues to severely affect southern localities in Argentina, which were previously affected by the eruption of the volcano in June. Strong winds worsen the situation. A SSR project of EUR 200,000 financed to FAO has been approved in order to provide humanitarian assistance to 300 affected families in the Patagonian provinces of Río Negro and Neuquén. The core of the intervention is livelihood recovery. A 6, 0 magnitude earthquake in the Richter scale was registered on 6 October in the provinces of Salta and Jujuy (north-western Argentina). No victims or major damages were reported. Some school infrastructures were slightly damaged. (3) Ecuador measles outbreak: The Health Ministry, confirmed 83 cases of measles at national level; all identified cases are under strict surveillance. A vaccination campaign for babies and children is being implemented in nationwide. (4) Peru Earthquake in Ica: An earthquake of 6.9 magnitude in the Richter scale struck the Coast of Central Peru. The epicentre was located in the sea, 51 km south of the locality of Ica, Department of Ica, and the depth of the quake was 34.9 km. No tsunami warning was issued. A total of 104 persons have been wounded (mainly non-life threatening injuries); and 1 person has died. 64 houses have collapsed, 278 houses are uninhabitable, and 515 are partially o slightly affected, mainly around Ica city. Local government has well responded and the basic humanitarian needs are well covered until now. (5) Chile Hudson Volcano eruption process: On 27 October, activity of Hudson volcano, located in the southern region of Aysén, has considerably increased and red alert was issued due to its imminent eruption process. Steam and ash columns reached 7 km of altitude. A total of 119 people left their homes and evacuated to houses of relatives and friends. The provincial and regional emergency operations committees are activated. The volcano activity has decreased, however it is under strict surveillance and red alert is still activated. 1/6
Colombia Ecuador Peru Venezuela Brazil Bolivia Paraguay Guyana Suriname French Guiana EVENTS Ecuador: Measles outbreak mainly in the Andean region. Peru: A 6.9 magnitude earthquake in the Richter scale struck the Coast of Central Peru. Bolivia: Ah1N1 outbreak in Santa Cruz, Cochabamba and Chuquisaca. Argentina: A 6, 0 magnitude earthquake in the Richter scale was registered in the provinces of Salta and Jujuy (north-western Argentina). Chile Argentina Uruguay LEGEND Floods Coldwaves Droughts Earthquakes Landslides Volcanic eruption Permanent ash fall of Puyehue volcano continues to affect the Patagonia Region. Chile: Hudson volcano, in the Region of Aysén, started its eruption process. Storms Fires Tsunami Epidemics ECHO MAIN ACTIVITIES Peru: Start of emergency projects in Ucayali - Floods - COOPI 600.000 - German Red Cross 216.317 Bolivia Monitoring of SSR project in Cochabamba Practical Action UK (project finished on 30-09-11) Cochabamba & Santa Cruz Save the Children Brasil State of Rio de Janeiro region CARE NL Chile Tarapaca region Spanish Red Cross Bio Bio region UNDP BOLIVIA 2/6
AH1N1 outbreak Health authorities confirmed 3 deaths and 560 cases of AH1N1 influenza in Bolivia; mainly in the Department of Santa Cruz where 80% of the confirmed cases have been registered. Cochabamba and Chuquisaca departments have also been affected. Due to the situation the Governor of Santa Cruz declared the state of emergency in the Department and reported they have a budget of Bs 10 million for the purchase of 50.000 vaccination doses. Efforts to recruit health personnel and to adequate exclusive spaces for patient care in the health system, are being implemented. ECHO is closely monitoring the situation with its partners in Bolivia. A SSR project ongoing - Department of Potosí severely affected by heavy snow fall. ARGENTINA Peyuhue Cordon Caulle volcano eruption As of 17 October, permanent ash fall of Chilean volcano "Puyehue" continues to cause damages and flight disruptions in the south of the continent. Flights have been cancelled for at least 24 hours in Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay. The Chilean volcano began its eruptive process at the beginning of June. As a result, an enormous cloud of ashes has considerably affected the areas located near the Andes, in the southwest of Argentina. Since then, the aerial-commercial activity in South America and Oceania has been repeatedly disrupted. On 18 October, the Chilean Meteorological Service informed that, Puyehue volcano increased its seismic activity, steam and ash emissions also increased. Incessant ash fall continues to severely affect southern localities in Argentina, which were previously affected by the eruption of the volcano in June. Strong winds worsen the situation and population has been recommended to stay indoors due to poor visibility. The touristic town of San Carlos de Bariloche has been severely affected by heavy ash fall and several international events have been cancelled due to the situation, which has caused a deep crisis to the tourist sector as there are millions of dollars in losses. Also, the international road Cardenal Samoré has been closed due to heavy ash fall. The volcano is under strict surveillance. Medium intensity earthquake in Jujuy According to Argentina's Seismic Prevention National Institute (INPRES), a 6, 0 magnitude earthquake in the Richter scale was registered on 6 October in the provinces of Salta and Jujuy (north-western Argentina). The epicentre was located at Sierra de Centinela, 95 km from the capital of Jujuy, and 120 km northeast from of the capital of Salta, where the quake was strongly felt by the population, the mobile phone network collapsed for several minutes. No victims or damages have been reported. 3/6
According to police reports, some damages to school infrastructures were registered close to the epicentre area located in Santa Barbara Department. Technical teams from provincial governments undertook a damage evaluation of the communities located near to the epicentre. A SSR project of EUR 200,000 financed by ECHO to FAO has been approved in order to provide humanitarian assistance to 300 affected families in the Patagonian provinces of Río Negro and Neuquén. The core of the intervention is livelihood recovery. ECHO continues closely monitoring the situation in Argentina. ECUADOR Measles outbreak A measles outbreak was registered in Quisapincha, Tungurahua province; other cases have been registered in other four provinces: Pichincha, Cotopaxi, El Oro, Pastaza and Los Rios. According to the Health Ministry, there are 83 confirmed cases of measles at national level; all identified cases are under strict surveillance. A vaccination campaign for babies and children is being implemented in nationwide. 1.2 million Vaccines were procured to India. At total of 57.000 persons, mainly children have been immunized. It is possible that new cases might be confirmed in other provinces as there is a high mobility of people around the country. ECHO is closely monitoring the situation. PERU Earthquake According to the USGS and the Geophysical Institute of Peru, an earthquake of 6.9 magnitude in the Richter scale struck the Coast of Central Peru at 13h54 local time (18:54 UTC). The epicentre was located in the sea, 51 km south of the locality of Ica, Department of Ica, and the depth of the quake was 34.9 km. (288 km from Lima). No tsunami warning was issued. In some areas of South Peru some power cuts were reported but did not last long. The earthquake was lightly felt in Lima. According to the National Civil Defence Institute (INDECI) a total of 104 persons have been wounded and received medical attention in hospitals and health centres (mainly non-life threatening injuries); and 1 person has died. 64 houses have collapsed, 278 houses are uninhabitable, and 515 are partially o slightly affected, mainly around Ica city. The Regional Government of Ica through its Civil Defence has delivered a total of 6.47 MT of aid, consisting of tents (154 family tents) to the most affected localities in the province of Ica. The National Emergency Operations Committee (COEN) is closely monitoring the situation and undertaking a deep assessment in order to quantify needs and damages. 4/6
The Chief of the National Civil Defence Institute (INDECI) has ordered the deployment of the national Rapid Response and Disasters Intervention Task Force (GIRED) to the region of Ica in order to support the needs assessments in the area. A joint assessment mission organized by the National Humanitarian Network (UN agencies and NGOs) and the National Civil Defence Institute was undertaken on 1 st November. Main findings of the assessment are: o The humanitarian situation is complicated as the affected population is the same population affected by the earthquake in 2007; their living conditions are still precarious. o Provision of common humanitarian aid is not an adequate response; provision of tents is not a solution for responding to the actual situation. o It is necessary a strong political will for the reconstruction process of the affected area, since the 2007 earthquake little efforts have been taken the reconstruction. o It is necessary to conclude the in-depth damage assessment in order to identify damaged infrastructure and proceed with demolitions and a proper planning of temporary housing of the affected population. o It is necessary to work with affected population on emotional recovery. o Implementation of Civil Defence Platforms and promote the participation of the private sector and grass root organizations. o It is important to organize a workshop of lessons learned with regional and local authorities in order to identify limitations and strengthen capacities. According to our partners and local government, the basic humanitarian needs are well covered until now. ECHO is in contact with its partners in Peru and is closely monitoring the situation. CHILE Hudson Volcano eruption process On 27 October, activity of Hudson volcano, located in the southern region of Aysén, has considerably increased and red alert was issued due to its imminent eruption process. Steam and ash columns reached 7 km of altitude. A total of 119 people left their homes and evacuated to houses of relatives and friends. The provincial and regional emergency operations committees are activated. The volcano activity has decreased, however it is under strict surveillance and red alert is still activated. Cerro Hudson is the southernmost volcano in the Chilean Andes related to subduction of the Nazca plate beneath the South American plate. The massive, 1905-m-high Cerro Hudson covers an area of 300 sq km. The compound caldera is drained through a breach on its NW rim, which has been the source of mudflows down the Río de Los Huemeles. The mountain itself is covered by a glacier. The volcano eruption process has been registered every 20 years: 1971, 1991 and 2011. ECHO is closely monitoring the situation. VII DIPECHO ACTION PLAN DIPECHO projects are ongoing in: Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Chile, Argentina and Brazil. Regional Humanitarian response and main issues 5/6
Regional rainfall forecast October - December 2011 Sources: (CIIFEN), International research centre on el Niño Venezuela: More probabilities of precipitation above normal levels in most of the country. Colombia: More probabilities of precipitation above normal levels in most of the country. Ecuador: More probabilities of precipitation below normal levels in the coastal region (dry season). In the central Andean highlands and selva region more probabilities of precipitation above normal levels. Peru: More probabilities of precipitation above normal levels in the northern coastal region and the central and southern Andean highlands. In other regions of the country more probabilities of average precipitation. Bolivia: More probabilities of precipitation below normal levels in the plains/ valleys. In the Andean highlands more probabilities of precipitations above normal levels. Chile: More probabilities of normal precipitations in the Andean region. In the central and southern regions more probabilities of precipitations below normal levels. In the Austral region more probabilities of precipitation normal and above normal levels. Argentina: More probabilities of precipitation below normal levels in the northern region of the country. In the central regions probabilities of average precipitation. In the Patagonian coastal region precipitations below normal levels. 6/6