DHA-GENEVA 94/0462
COSTA RICA - FLOODS
DHA-GENEVA INFORMATION REPORT NO. 1
10 NOVEMBER 1994
SITUATION
1. DHA-GENEVA TWO MEMBER FIELD MISSION IN COOPERATION WITH IDNDR REGIONAL PROGRAMME OFFICER FOR LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN AS WELL AS PAHO/WHO, REPORTS FOLLOWING FROM SAN JOSE DE COSTA RICA.
2. HEAVY RAINS SINCE LAST WEEK CAUSED SEVERE FLOODING IN LOCALIZED AREAS AT BORDER BETWEEN NICARAGUA AND COSTA RICA, IN CENTRAL VALLEY AROUND SAN JOSE AS WELL AS IN NICARAGUA AND PANAMA. IN COSTA RICA THERE WERE TWO DEATHS (TWO RESCUERS/FIREMEN) AND SIX MISSING. ABOUT TWO THOUSAND PEOPLE AFFECTED. TWO ADDITIONAL DEATHS REPORTED IN PANAMA.
3. OWING TO TROPICAL DEPRESSION, RAINS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE IN NEXT 24/36 HOURS, THREATENING FLOODS THROUGHOUT COUNTRY.
IMPACT
4. STATE OF EMERGENCY DECLARED IN MOST AFFECTED NORTHERN PROVINCES OF UPALA, LA UNION AND CURRIDABAT, AS WELL AS IN CIUDAD NEILLY, SOUTHERN COSTA RICA (CLOSE TO PANAMA). HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE, INCLUDING NICARAGUAN MIGRANTS, EVACUATED TO PRIVATE HOMES AND TEMPORARY SHELTER.
5. ABOUT TWO HUNDRED HOUSES AND TWO BRIDGES DAMAGED, ACCORDING TO PRELIMINARY GOVERNMENTAL ESTIMATES.
NATIONAL RESPONSE
6. GOVERNMENTAL NATIONAL EMERGENCY COMMISSION COORDINATING RELIEF EFFORTS BY GOVT AGENCIES, RED CROSS AND NGOS. HEALTH SITUATION IN WHOLE COUNTRY UNDER CAREFUL SCRUTINY THROUGH EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SURVEILLANCE.
7. NO INTERNATIONAL APPEAL ISSUED SO FAR. DHA MONITORING SITUATION THROUGH UNDP/DHA RESIDENT REPRESENTATIVE.
8. DHA FIELD MISSION IN COSTA RICA IN ORDER TO PROMOTE ESTABLISHMENT OF NETWORK OF NATIONAL EXPERTS IN THE CONTEXT OF UNDAC (UNITED NATIONS DISASTER ASSESSMENT AND COORDINATION) SYSTEM.
DEPARTMENT OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS - GENEVA
TELEPHONE NO: +41-22-917-1234
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY ONLY: TELEPHONE +41-22-917-2010
DESK OFFICER: MS. K.GOTOH, DIRECT TEL:
+41-22-917-1258
PRESS TO CONTACT DHA-GENEVA SPOKESPERSON:
M. KHATIB, DIRECT TEL.: +41 22 917-28 56
TELEX: 414242 DHA CH
FAX: +41-22-917-0023
ELECTRONIC MAIL: DIALCOM 141: DHAGVA
DPR 310 COS