OCHA Situation Report No. 8 - Guyana - Floods
By OCHA
Wed, 9 Feb 2005, 11:54
Situation
1. The dry weather of the last five days has eased the efforts to reduce the level of the floods, and many families have been able to start cleaning up their homes. The cleanup of public buildings is also ongoing, but it will take time and resources for the affected populations to be able to recover adequate living and working conditions. Ensuring the healthy state of essential infrastructure such as medical centers and schools is of particular concern.
2. The meteorological service reported that there had been minimal rain in the last few days. However, the cumulative level in Georgetown from 1-6 February was close to 110 mm., which is more than the total normal average for the month.
3. Flooding remains in the backlands, and the Mahaica River is still unusually high. In some areas, the water level has even increased again due to the release of water from the Conservancy. The national authorities and aid agencies continue to distribute relief assistance directly to families who are trapped in their homes or in shelters and at service and distribution centers.
4. The Governmental authorities report that all 55 pumps on the East Coast are operating efficiently and pumps provided from Trinidad and Tobago and the United States will be installed soon.
National Response
5. The Joint Operations Centre (JOC) officially finalised its operations on 7 February, handing over remaining relief coordination functions to the Civil Defence Commission (CDC).
6. The Government continues to assist residents on the East Coast of Demerara, with teams distributing hampers and water to flood-affected areas. Meanwhile, a widespread public education campaign supported by PAHO and UNICEF is still ongoing on safe water issues and disease prevention and treatment.
7. To date, the Ministry of Health reported 6 confirmed and 9 suspected deaths of leptospirosis, a disease that originates from contaminated water and is imperative to prevent. Mass treatment has so far targeted 200,000 persons, according to the ministry.
8. The Ministry of Health has also informed that there are more than 350 teams with over 450 health professionals providing medical assistance in flood affected areas and conducting general examination of patients. Some 80 tests have been completed for Dengue, all of which were negative according to the official report. The Ministry of Health is also reportedly conducting tests for Pneumonia and Hepatitis A, among other flood related diseases and infections. The ministry is expecting an additional 50,000 Hepatitis A vaccines.
9. The Vector Control Department of the Ministry is presently conducting a spraying and fogging exercise. This exercise is to reduce mosquito-borne diseases. The Ministry is distributing the 20,000 mosquito nets it has purchased for mothers who have small babies in flood-affected communities.
10. A team of volunteers are also distributing abate granule. This is used in stagnant water and pools to kill the mosquito larvae. After completing all communities in the city, the team plans to move to those villages on the East Coast of Demerara where the water has receded.
11. The Guyana Citizens Initiative for Flood Relief (GCIFR) has continued to coordinate relief activities of the national non-governmental organizations, community groups and private
initiatives. The GCIFR holds regular coordination meetings for NGOs and community relief partners. This effort has been instrumental to complement and feed into the Governmental activities and those of international aid agencies.
International response
Food
12. In partnership with WFP, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) through a local partner is providing food rations to 42 households of HIV+ persons affected by the floods (other households still being identified). CRS also reports that it is providing support to the Diocese of Georgetown in reaching 700 vulnerable households in Georgetown and Victoria
(approximately 3,500 persons) with food rations and hygiene kits.
Logistics
13. On 8 February, UNDP handed over 20 inflatable boats with motors and life vests to the CDC for use to transport relief goods and personnel in the flood-affected areas. It will be essential and of utmost urgency to make these boats operational immediately in order to increase the badly needed distribution capacity to the relief effort, particularly since many in-kind donations have been arriving in country in the past 10 days. Among those, a Venezuelan contribution of relief items arrived during the weekend that has just been offloaded and warehoused.
Water and sanitation
14. UNICEF reports that almost all of the 12,250 10-litre water containers have arrived in the country. They are being distributed through the Guyana Water Incorporated and the Guyana Defence Force on a revolving basis.
15. Regarding water supply for the population, UNICEF reports that the tap water is safe for bathing and cleaning but not for drinking. However, in many locations, families do not have direct access to the water supply due to insufficient water pressure.
16. Community efforts are underway to clean up the solid waste. PAHO and UNICEF will provide support to these community-based efforts as well as to a national campaign on environmental health.
17. CRS, in partnership with the Diocese of Georgetown, is providing 100 latrines, which will benefit at least 5,000 persons on the East Coast, with partial funding from Troicare ($13,000 USD) and CRS ($15,000). This project also includes institutional strengthening. CRS is looking to further secure funds to address the decontamination of homes within the next couple of weeks.
Education
18. UNICEF is the coordinating agency supporting the Ministry of Education in its efforts to rapidly resume basic educational services. After having provided essential cleaning items to 261 schools, UNICEF is assisting in disinfecting and rehabilitation of schools, which will be opened only after being certified by the teachers, with help from health officials.
Environmental and recovery activities
19. The two Dutch experts have shared with the Joint UNEP/OCHA Environment Unit their first findings and recommendations with regard to the flooding situation in Guyana. They have identified two areas of concern: the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) Dam and the East Demerara Coastal Zone.
Emergency situation of the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) Dam
20. The EDWC dam is an old and fragile construction, consisting mainly of peat. In many areas patchworks are covering ancient breaches or recent over toppings. Long stretches of the Dam are covered with trees and vegetation. There is a widespread misbelieve that trees strengthen the dam, while these are actually causing week spots.
21. The first recommendations of the two experts are to substantially upgrade the emergency works to strengthen the dam, using in particular contractors with floating equipment. This will improve the most critical stretches and create extra freeboard. They also suggest limiting the speed of small boats in the Conservancy as their waves eat away the fragile top of the dam.
Emergency situation of the East Demerara Coastal Zone
22. The flooding situation in the coastal zone is drastic and the first priority should be to get the water out of this area. The discharge can only be carried out through the sea wall, by making use of the existing damaged outlet structures and pumping.
23. The experts recommend that the dysfunctional outlets be inspected and that customized solutions be identified for each structure in order to facilitate the discharge.
24. Further to their assessment, the experts also propose that the following measures be implemented before the coming rainy season of May-June:
A Disaster Management Plan should be established for flooding situations. This plan would include measurement of water levels of the EDWC and actions that should be taken once critical levels are reached.
Small and feasible rehabilitation works on the recent patchworks on the Conservancy Dam should be carried out.
The drainage functions of the outlet structures on the Conservancy Dam and the sea wall should be improved. The experts recognised that there is no time for thorough construction works; however, they believe that the control over the drainage situation can be improved considerably if appropriate measures are implemented.
25. As a medium and long-term perspective, the experts also recommend that rehabilitation works for the whole drainage system (outlets, culverts, drains and EDWC dam) should be carried out to improve preparedness for future flooding threats.
26. The results and first recommendations of the two Dutch experts have been shared with relevant national authorities, including the cabinet of the President, and with partner agencies, in particular the World Bank.
27. Further details including requirements will be provided by the experts, in collaboration with the Joint UNEP/OCHA Environment Unit, to assist the donor community and partner agencies in addressing outstanding needs.
28. The World Bank Disaster Assessment Team has been evaluating the requirements for the next 3-12 months for immediate repairs and more long-term rehabilitation of the drainage system and dam management in the affected regions. It reported excellent cooperation and support on the part of the national counterparts in this process. Its findings are
comparable to those of the environmental experts. The World Bank Team estimates that it is urgent to increase the capacity to effectuate repairs to strengthen the East Demerara Conservancy Dam and the drainage and irrigations systems in the short term, especially before the next rainy season starts in June to avert the threat of new flooding. The Crown Dam, closer to the urban areas, will need strengthening as well. The World Bank also envisages that a more comprehensive study of the long-term requirements of the water management system will be needed.
29. The UN Flash appeal launched on 8 February will provide the framework for emergency and transitional assistance of the United Nations family in Guyana for the next six months. The United Nations Resident Coordinator, with support from the United Nations in-Country Team, will lead the process of eventually ensuring a transition from the relief phase to rehabilitation. OCHA and UNDP will be collaborating in UN country Team disaster preparedness strengthening in Guyana. At the same time, UNDP is planning for the implementation of its capacity building project presented as part of the UN Flash Appeal, which proposes to contribute to the enhancement of disaster risk management capabilities at national level. Further to supporting this process as part of the last phase of its mission, the UNDAC team ends its assignment in Guyana on 9 February.
30. This situation report, together with the information on contributions and other ongoing emergencies, is also available on the OCHA Internet Website at http://www.reliefweb.int
Tel. +41-22-917 1234
Fax: +41-22-917 00 23
E-mail: ochagva@un.org
In case of emergency only: Tel. +41-22-917 20 10
Desk Officers:
Mr. Erik Haegglund
E-mail: haegglund@un.org
Direct Tel. +41-22-917 3299
Mr. Ricardo Mena
E-mail: mena@un.org
Direct Tel. +41-22-917 1455
Ms. Masayo Kondo
E-mail: kondo@un.org
Direct Tel. +41-22-917 1977
Press contact:
GVA - Ms. Elizabeth Byrs, direct Tel. + 41-22-917 2653
NYC - Ms. Stephanie Bunker, direct Tel. +1-917-367-5126
NYC - Mr. Brian Grogan, direct Tel. +1-212-963-1143