The five countries of the Southern Cone - Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay - are highly exposed to a combination of factors such as floods, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, droughts, health emergencies, densely populated urban areas, political instability and internal disturbances that exacerbate the vulnerabilities of large poor and marginalized populations. This situation, combined by high levels of inequity and lack of access to basic services, makes communities more vulnerable and sets a major humanitarian challenge, which is addressed

BRAZIL – FLOODING/MUDSLIDES (update)

Flooding due to heavy rains in the State of Santa Catarina has resulted in 131 deaths and 22 persons missing. Furthermore, 32,973 persons have been displaced, of which 5,737 are sheltered.

The Epidemiological Surveillance Directorate has confirmed 242 cases of Leptospirosis in 21 municipalities affected by flood.

On Tuesday, the Government stated risk of possible landslides and flooding in the cities of Florianópolis and Itajaí as a result of expected rain in the coming days.

Heavy rainfall as a result of the cold front affecting Central America has aggravated flooding in Hondurasand Panama.

Honduras: Intense rainfall due to the Cold Front has caused widespread flooding in the city of La Ceibain the Department of Atlántida. No deaths reported; 250 people have been evacuated; 6 houses destroyed.

The Government has issued a RED Alert for La Ceiba. The NationalEmergencyOperationsCenteris coordinating search, rescue & evacuation operations with the Fire Department, National Armed

BACKGROUND AND KEY DEVELOPMENTS

- From October to early December 2008, heavy rainfall has resulted in floods across Central and South America. Areas in Belize, Brazil, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, and Panama sustained substantial damage. Between October 14 and 29, Tropical Depression Sixteen caused floods in Guatemala, Belize, and Honduras. In November, heavy rainfall

The Civil Defense Department of the state confirmed the death of two more people who were missing in the town of Gaspar, putting the total death toll at 122.

Most of the deaths were caused by mudslide, said the department, noting 29 others remained missing.

However, local media said the number of missing people may reach 84.

Some 42,000 people have managed to return

The most severely affected region is the Itajai Valley, which suffered from constant rains for more than two months. Water levels have risen to nine meters above normal and the rain-soaked soil caused heavy landslides throughout the whole region. As a result,

Se han registrado serias inundaciones y derrumbes debido a las fuertes lluvias que han azotado el estado de Santa Catarina en el Sur de Brasil desde noviembre.

Se reportan 119 personas fallecidas y 31 desaparecidas. Se estima que 33,000 personas han sido desplazadas y 27,410 se encuentran refugiadas. 5 carreteras estatales permanecen obstaculizadas.

El gobierno local ha declarado estado de emergencia en 9 municipalidades. 2,000 familias han recibido ayuda por parte de la Cruz Roja Brasileña y PADRU.

PANAMA - INUNDACIONES/DERRUMBES

The International Federation's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) is a source of un-earmarked money created by the Federation in 1985 to ensure that immediate financial support is available for Red Cross and Red Crescent response to emergencies. The DREF is a vital part of the International Federation's disaster response system and increases the ability of national societies to respond to disasters.

CHF 170,000 (USD 141,078 or EUR 110,924) has been allocated from the Federation's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund