Uruguay: Floods - OCHA-01: 30-Apr-98
Uruguay: Floods - OCHA-01: 30-Apr-98
URUGUAY
EL NINO- FLOODS
OCHA- GENEVA SITUATION REPORT NO. 1
30 APRIL 1998
GOVERNMENT APPEALS FOR INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE
Situation
1. According to the UNDP/OCHA Resident Representative in Uruguay, abnormal
rainfall reportedly due to the El Nino phenomenon, has reached a new peak
causing serious flooding on the littoral West, the Northern, Northeastern
and central regions of the country. This emergency has been considered as
"the most severe catastrophe in the country's history." It has surpassed by
far the last big floods that occurred in 1959.
2. The continuous rise has aggravated the situation of rivers Paraguay,
Parana and Uruguay. It has been reported that the Salto Grande Dam (at the
border with Argentina) is reaching its limit. Consequently, flooding is
expected in the forthcoming days if rains continue to fall
People affected
3. So far, authorities have evacuated some 8,000 people from the cities of
Artigas, Bella Union, Salto, Paysandu, Rivera, Mercedes, Villa Soriano,
Durazno, Treinta y Tres, Vergara y Melo. This figure is expected to rise as
rains continue to fall. Only in the Rio Olimar and Cebollati regions, 1,300
people have been evacuated in the last few days.
Agriculture, housing and road network
4. Preliminary findings indicate that the agricultural sector has been
affected, in particular in the regions of Rio Olimar and Cebollati, where
approximately 10 percent of the rice production has been lost. Houses have
been totally or partially destroyed as well as rural roads, bridges and
railways.
Weather forecasts
5. Weather forecasts indicate that adverse climate conditions, affecting
the country since October 1997, will persist in the region for the next few
months. This situation is of great concern especially because the winter
season in the southern hemisphere is starting, disturbing the relief
operations and rendering the situation even more difficult for the people
in distress.
National Response
6. The central, provincial and local authorities? response capacity has
been stretched to the limit. In this context the National Emergency System
has launched an appeal for international assistance to meet immediate
relief requirements such as tents, blankets and mattresses.
International Response
7. Contributions
USD
UN System
OCHA Emergency Grant for the purchase of relief supplies 20,000
Governments
Norway Emergency Grant through OCHA 20,000
8. OCHA is prepared to serve as a channel for cash contributions to be used
during the immediate relief phase in coordination/consultation with
relevant organizations of the United Nations system. OCHA provides donors
with written confirmation and pertinent details concerning the utilization
of the funds contributed.
9. Donors wishing to channel their contributions through OCHA should
transfer funds to OCHA account no. CO.590.160.1 at the Swiss Bank
Corporation, Case Postale 2770, CH-1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland, with
reference: URUGUAY - FLOODS.
10. For coordination purposes, donors are requested to inform OCHA Geneva,
as indicated below, of relief missions, pledges or contributions and their
corresponding values by item.
11. This Situation Report and further information on ongoing emergencies are
also available on the OCHA Internet Website at: http:// www.reliefweb.int.
Telephone number: + 41-22-917-1234
In case of emergency only: + 41 22 917 2010
Desk Officers: Mr. Erik Haegglund, direct tel: + 41-22-917-3299 and Mr.
Carlos Monteiro-Pereira, direct tel: +41-22-917-1383
Telex 41 42 42 dha ch
Fax: + 41 22 917 0023
E-mail: info@dha.unicc.org
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