UNDRO 91/1301
PANAMA - FLOODS AND LANDSLIDES
UNDRO INFORMATION REPORT NO. 1
20 AUGUST 1991

1. UNDRO/UNDP RESIDENT REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS THAT INITIAL OFFICIAL COMMUNICATION RELEASED 15 AUGUST 1991 ON FLOODS AND LANDSLIDES IN BOCAS DEL TORO PROVINCE. MENTIONS 20,000 PEOPLE AFFECTED, 2 DEAD, 10 MISSING, 61 INJURED AND 400 HOMES SUNK DUE TO WATER AND MUD. APPROXIMATELY 1,129 PERSONS EVACUATED. DUE TO ACCESS DIFFICULTIES, PERSONS FROM REMOTE AREAS BEING AIRLIFTED.

2. WITHIN BOCAS DEL TORO PROVINCE MOST AFFECTED AREAS ARE CHANQUINOLA, CHIRIQUI GRANDE AND BOCAS DEL TORO. DUE TO WATER CONTAMINATION, GOVT EVALUATING POSSIBILITIES OF EPIDEMICS.

3. GOVT REQUESTING EMERGENCY RELIEF IN FORM OF BLANKETS AND FOOD. UNDRO HAS NOT YET RECEIVED COST ESTIMATE.

4. GOVT DESIGNATED AGENCY TO DEAL WITH DISASTER IS SISTEMA NACIONAL DE PROTECCION CIVIL IN MINISTRY OF GOVERNMENT AND JUSTICE (SINAPROC).

5. UNDRO AWAITING CONFIRMATION WHETHER SINAPROC'S COMMUNICATION TO UNDRO/UNDP RESIDENT REPRESENTATIVE CONSTITUTES REQUEST FOR INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE.

ESSAAFI UNDRO GENEVA 414242 DRO CH