This report was issued by OCHA Colombia. It covers the period from 07/03/2009 to09/03/2009. The next report will be issued on or around 10/03/2009.
I. HIGHLIGHTS/KEY PRIORITIES
- 47 houses were destroyed by landslides in the area of Altos de Cazuca, municipality of Soacha.
- 593 people from El Arroyo, Villa Sandra and Villa Esperanza neighborhoods had to be evacuated.
II. Situation Overview
On 7 February, landslides caused the total destruction of houses in a high zone of the municipality of Soacha.
According to the last population census conducted by the municipality of Soacha on 8 March, 47 houses were totally destroyed and nearly 147 families (around 593 persons), mainly IDPs from different regions of the country who settled in marginal areas of the municipality, had to be evacuated. Nearly 70 houses more would have to be resettled according to the municipality's estimates.
Previous alerts warned of the high risk of landslides in the area, due to sewage filtrations and the illegal exploitation of quarries.
An official census of affected population by the municipality of Soacha is ongoing. The UN interagency work group of Soacha is currently conducting a Rapid Needs Assessment in the area.
III. Humanitarian Needs and Response
Early Recovery
- A project for adequate housing in the municipality is urgent, since most of the IDPs who arrive in Soacha continue to settle in risk prone zones and lack legal titles over the land.
- The Government of Cundinamarca reiterated the commitment of building a new housing project in Soacha and announced that it will request the National government and the private sector for financial support.
Emergency Shelter
- The municipality, in coordination with the inter-institutional network "Juntos" installed 4 temporary shelters (one in a school facility and three community centers) to host the affected population. In addition, a number of tents had been installed to cope with the emergency.
Food and Nutrition
- The departmental government made a public appeal though the media for in-kind donations.
- The departmental government in coordination with first-aid organizations (Civil Defense, National Red Cross) is providing emergency humanitarian aid.
Health
- The Health Secretariat is using ambulances as provisional health centers to assist the affected population.
Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene
- The Water Utilities Company of Bogotá will distribute potable water in the temporary shelters.
IV. Coordination
The National Red Cross, the National Institute for Family Welfare (ICBF), the Police, the Civil Defense and the inter-institutional network "Juntos" is currently in the area addressing the emergency.
The Mayor of Soacha, Mr. José Martínez will meet today with the Minister of Environmental Affairs and the Governor of Cundinamarca to assess the situation and define housing projects for the affected population.
An extraordinary meeting of the Social Policy Council of the municipality of Soacha was summoned for today (9 March).
The UN inter-agency work group is assessing the situation and will provide further information on the emergency. UNETT is monitoring the situation in order to coordinate relief operations if requested.
V. Contact
Please contact:
OCHA Colombia: María José Torres, Head of Office Torres8@un.org, (57) + 1 6221100 / Fax: (57) + 1 6221232
OCHA Colombia: María Isabel Castro, Coordination Assistant for the Interagency Work Group of Soacha castrovelasco@un.org, (57) + 1 6221100 / Fax: (57) + 1 6221232
OCHA Colombia: María de la Luz Vásquez, Field Coordination Assistant vasquezm@un.org, (57) + 1 6221100 / Fax: (57) + 1 6221232
For more information, please visit www.colombiassh.org/
