Guyana
Situation Report #2 - Region responds to flooding in Guyana
By CDERA
Thu, 27 Jan 2005, 20:56

1.0 THE EVENT

The sustained rainfall experienced in Guyana over the last few weeks as a result of a surface level trough enhanced by the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone has subsided, with sunny weather being experienced earlier this week. This fair weather is expected to continue until Thursday January 27, 2005 when one inch of rain is expected.

It is anticipated that with the current weather pattern there should be a significant drop in the water along the East Coast Demerara and West Demerara. It is anticipated that over toppings on the East and West Demerara Conservancies will cease. Already some parts of Georgetown are back to normal.

2.0 IMPACT

2.1 Affected Population
 

2002 National Census, GECOM Data Base and RDC Database

Region 4 – East Coast Demerara, which hosts the capital Georgetown is the more significantly affected region. In response to the situation mainly on the East Coast of Demerara, three (3) threat levels have been established.

Photo by Bryan Mackintosh

2.2 Analysis of the current situation

Flood levels have been reduced by significant amounts in parts of Georgetown, however in greater Georgetown, and along parts of the East Coast Demerara, the water is as high as 4-5 feet in most villages, especially areas bordering conservancy and dam structures. Based on the recent satellite photos and weather predictions for the next seven (7) days, which indicate severe rainfall from Thursday, the assessment is as follows:

2.2.1 Best Case Scenario

Enough water is drawn off the land, conservancies return to normal levels, gravity drainage works, areas in the backlands drain, weakened dam/seawall infrastructure holds and continued return to levels of normalcy.

2.2.2 Worst Case Scenario

Photo by Bryan Mackintosh

Predicted weather causes more water to be deposited on already flooded and weakened structures, they fail, and a life threatening situation develops. Mass evacuation required using boats necessary to move an anticipated 120,000 persons mainly from along the East Coast Demerara villages.

2.3 Needs

1. Complete drainage/irrigation mobile pumps with capacity of 80-100 cubic feet per second and hydraulic head of 16 feet with diesel driven engine of approximately 250 horsepower with assorted pipe works including five 100 feet legs of pipes and brackets;
2. 4X4 trucks with and without trays and with engine capacity of 3000-4500 c.c (diesel or gasoline);
3. Generators (150-300 kva);
4. Inflatable dingys;
5. Small flat bottom aluminum boats (15-20 ft length);
6. Retractable bridges;
7. Food (canned meats, vegetables, soup and stews adults and babies);
8. Forklifts;
9. Outboard engines (8-25 hp);
10. Wet weather wear (rubber boots, raincoats etc);
11. Shelter goods (beds, mattresses, small kerosene stoves);
12. Plastic water tanks with capacity of 600-1000 gallons and smaller containers for carrying water with capacity of 2-5gallons.

3.0 THE NATIONAL RESPONSE

3.1 Response Focal Point

The Civil Defence Commission (CDC) has been reconstituted and identified as the lead agency responsible for the receipt, storage, distribution and accountability of all relief supplies.

The CDC is being headed by Col. Chabilall Ramsarup, the current Colonel General Staff of the Guyana Defence Force.

The United Nations Damage Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) Team will support the CDCs ability to pull together critical information to update progress as the emergency situation continues, and identify needs and priorities arising from the event.

3.2 Shelters

To date, thirty four shelters (34) have been confirmed established housing 3,287 persons.

Shelters are mainly in Region 4 as follows:

• East Coast Demerara 24
• Georgetown 4
• East Bank 2
• West Demerara 4

A number of persons have evacuated the areas and are now living with relatives and friends on higher grounds. However the figure for these is not available.

Two sites have been reconditioned with a holding capacity of approx 4,000 persons for main evacuation, should this become necessary. Two other sites will be done by this Thursday.

3.3 Food Distribution

The list of centers from which food is being distributed and the areas being served is still being compiled.

Reports indicate that at two locations the following was undertaken so far:

1. A total of 7,943 boxes of cooked meals were distributed by the Civil Defence Commission through donated supplies by various agencies.
2. A total of 18,000 hampers comprising a basic package of rice, flour sugar, salt, split peas, potatoes, onions, garlic, milk, sardine and oil and supplemented by other items as they become available, are being distributed through the Rahaman’s Warehouse from donations. It is anticipated that these hampers will feed a family of five persons for 4-5 days.

3.4 Water

A total 45 tanks are deployed on the East Demerara on the Main Road, Railway Embankment and shelters while 10 tanks are deployed in the Georgetown area. These are replenished by 120,000 gals of water distributed by 19 water tenders controlled by the water sub-committee.

Photo by Bryan Mackintosh

3.5 Health

The medical team visited 23 communities on the East Coast Demerara and Georgetown. Each team was headed by a doctor. A total of 4,984 persons were examined and treated.

The two most common ailments were diarrhea and skin rashes.

3.6 Education

The schools in Georgetown were scheduled to re-open on Wednesday January 25, 2005. Assessment and clean-up will be done to facilitate the reopening of other schools as the situation improves.

4.0 THE REGIONAL RESPONSE

Countries in the region are in the process of defining the nature of support to the Government of Guyana. Some commitments for the provision of emergency supplies have already been made and are being quantified.

Based on information gathered on the response efforts, Appendix 2 provides a summary of assistance being pledged or provided to the Government and people of Guyana.

4.1 Actions by CDERA Coordinating Unit

The CDERA Coordinating Unit continues to monitor the situation in Guyana and has been in constant contact with disaster management officials in country.

1. Mrs. Andria Grosvenor, Programme Manager, Projects was dispatched on yesterday to to Guyana on Tuesday to hold discussions with Government and Disaster Officials on status of the ongoing response and relief operations and has provided updated information to inform further action.
2. Mr. Jeremy Collymore, Coordinator will visit Guyana on Thursday January 27, 2004 to meet with the authorities and discuss the nature of the region’s support. This will instrumental in determining unmet needs and facilitating actions for prioritising as an input to decision making.

The CDERA Coordinating Unit will continue to monitor the ongoing flood event in Guyana and issue Situation Reports as updated information becomes available.

Contact Details: The CDERA CU 24hr contact number is 246 425 0386

SUMMARY OF PLEDGES TO GUYANA FLOOD RESPONSE 2005

The following is a summary of pledged/provided assistance to Guyana that is known to CDERA