EUROPEAN COMMISSION DIRECTORATE-GENERAL HUMANITARIAN AID AND CIVIL PROTECTION - ECHO Monthly report number 2013/10 Month OCTOBER Country South America (except Colombia for HA) Date of submission 08/11/13 Author ECHO Quito team MONTHLY REPORT 1. SUMMARY / MAIN HIGHLIGHTS (1) Argentina Drought and high temperatures: Six provinces that are being affected by a protracted drought, high temperatures and frosts have been declared in emergency. The most affected provinces are Chaco, Santa Fe, Rio Negro, Buenos Aires, Salta, and La Rioja. (2) Bolivia Coca eradicators murdered: According to Interior Minister, a police officer and a soldier have been killed and others taken hostage in an alleged "ambush" by coca growers in northwest Bolivia thought to have ties with Peruvian drug traffickers, suggesting Peruvian criminal presence in the country. (3) Chile Frosts: The worst frosts registered in 84 years have considerably affected the agricultural sector. It is estimated that losses might reach up to $ 500 million dollars, mainly for the loss of fruit crops (25% loss of production). It will also have an impact on day labourers, it is expected that almost 30,000 day labourers will lose their jobs. (4) Ecuador Tungurahua Volcano activity: Tungurahua volcano s activity has moderately increased and it is high. Continuous explosions accompanied by ash columns of three km have been registered during several days. The Volcano behaviour is irregular and it is under strict surveillance. 1/5
EVENTS Guyana Suriname Colombia French Guiana Ecuador Tungurahua Volcano increased its activity. Ash fall registered in several communities. Ecuador Bolivia: Coca eradicators murdered. Peru Brazil Argentina: Six provinces that are being affected by a protracted drought, high temperatures and frosts declared in emergency Bolivia Paraguay Chile: The worst frosts registered in 84 years have considerably affected the agricultural sector. LEGEND Floods Uruguay Chile Coldwaves Droughts Argentina Earthquakes Landslides Volcanic eruption Storms Fires Tsunami Epidemics ECHO MAIN ACTIVITIES Guyana Suriname Colombia French Guiana Monitoring Ecuador visit DIPECHO Project in Monitoring of Emergency Project in Los Rios, Ecuador. Peru Monitoring visit of SRR and DIPECHO projects in Argentina. Brazil Bolivia Experts seminar in Brussels Paraguay Uruguay Chile Argentina Response operation Response operation monitored DP operation DP operation monitored 2/5
ARGENTINA Drought and high temperatures Six provinces that are being affected by a protracted drought, high temperatures and frosts have been declared in emergency. The most affected provinces are Chaco, Santa Fe, Rio Negro, Buenos Aires, Salta, and La Rioja. The agricultural sector is the most affected, authorities are analyzing the situation and a damages and needs assessment is in process. The land is completely lacking of natural pastures and water. The department of San Javier located in the province of Córdoba is also being affected by a severe drought and intense frosts. 2. HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE AND MAIN ISSUES ECHO Quito Field Office is closely monitoring the situation in Argentina. BOLIVIA Coca eradicators murdered According to Interior Minister, a police officer and a soldier have been killed and others taken hostage in an alleged "ambush" by coca growers in northwest Bolivia thought to have ties with Peruvian drug traffickers, suggesting Peruvian criminal presence in the country. At least 17 people were injured during the incident, and another eight members of the Joint Task Force - FTC were taken hostage. Four remain missing. Though clashes between coca growers and eradicators in Apolo began in May, this is the first reported case of security forces being killed. The use of firearms in the most recent attacks indicates outside assistance in apparently escalating resistance efforts. When the coca clashes first began, authorities also claimed Peruvian drug traffickers had instigated the protests, there is evidence that Peruvian traffickers operate over the border in Bolivia. Bolivian officials have said in the past that much cocaine seized in the country is Peruvian. Peruvian cocaine is worth twice the value in Bolivia, giving Peruvian traffickers a major incentive to work across the border. Brazilian criminals working with Peruvian groups in the Apurimac, Ene and Mantaro river valley (VRAEM) region are also believed to traffic Peruvian cocaine through Bolivia because of its lower price. If true, the presence of Peruvians in the recurring coca clashes would indicate that they are interested in gaining Bolivian product as well. While this seems odd considering the price differential, it could be a response to coca eradication efforts in Peru, and the need and ability to shift operations elsewhere. CHILE Frosts The worst frosts registered in 84 years have considerably affected the agricultural sector. It is estimated that losses might reach to $ 500 million dollars, mainly for the loss of fruit crops (25% loss of production). It will also have an impact on day labourers, it is expected that almost 30,000 day labourers will lose their jobs. Emergency has been declared in the most affected regions are Valparaíso, Maule, O Higgins and Metropolitan. An approximate amount of $800 million dollars will be allocated to respond to the emergency. Through the decree immediate actions will be taken to tackle de effects of the frosts. 3/5
An agricultural rehabilitation plan will be implemented as well as an incentive to hiring day labourers, a training plan, and the strengthening of the national employment bureau. The aim of the plan is to support the most vulnerable peasant families that have been the most affected. The Ministry of Agriculture in coordination with regional governments are in process of carrying a deep needs assessment. ECUADOR Tungurahua volcano activity According to the National Geophysical Institute, Tungurahua volcano s activity has moderately increased and is high. Three consecutive explosions were registered alerting and causing strong vibrations in the nearby towns of Ambato, Baños, Patate and Pelileo. Presence of incandescent rocks in the flanks of the volcano has been reported, as well as ash fall in Baños, Pelileo, Patate, Cevallos, El Manzano, Bilbao, Chacauco, Choglontus and Mocha. As a consequence of these explosions, school activities in the city of Baños were suspended and the Risk Management Secretariat (RMS) together with the Red Cross undertook damage and needs assessments in the affected areas Continuous explosions accompanied by ash columns of three kilometers have been registered during several days. The Volcano behaviour is irregular and it is under strict surveillance. 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: Spanish Red Cross and Plan International Peru: Spanish Red Cross Bolivia: FAO and COOPI Paraguay: COOPI and Spanish Red Cross DRR/Resilience Programmes 2013-2014 DRR/ Resilience Projects started in May:, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil, Chile and Argentina. Regional Humanitarian response and main issues 14.5 MEUR 26 projects en 18 contracts 55 partners, 9 consortia 4 regional projects 4/5
Regional rainfall forecst October - December 2013 : More probabilities of precipitation near normal levels in most of the country. Colombia: More probabilities of precipitation above normal levels in the Caribbean region, while in the southern Pacific and Andean regions probabilities of precipitation near normal levels. Ecuador: More probabilities of precipitations above normal levels in most of the country. Peru: More probabilities of precipitation above normal levels in the northern and central and highlands. Precipitation near normal levels in the south of the country. Bolivia: More probabilities of precipitation below normal levels in most of the country. Chile: More probabilities of precipitations below normal levels in the northern, central, southern and Austral regions. Uruguay: More probabilities of precipitation near or below normal levels in most of the country. Paraguay: More probabilities of precipitations between near or above normal levels in the central/ southeast areas of the east region. Argentina: More probabilities of precipitation below normal level in most the country, except the coastal region and Buenos Aires where normal precipitation is foreseen. Sources: (CIIFEN), International research centre on el Niño 5/5