Suriname: Floods - May 2006

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

This report covers the period of 01/01/2006 to 31/12/2007 of a two-year planning and appeal process.

In brief

Programme summary:

Natural and weather related disasters are increasing in frequency. The countries in Central and South America and the Caribbean remain vulnerable to the impact of these natural and man-made disasters.

In 2006 and 2007, the Pan American Disaster Response Unit (PADRU) provided operational, logistics and preparedness support to the region's National Societies in response to 33 emergencies, in an effective and efficient manner according to the needs.

This report covers the period of 01/01/2006 to 31/12/2007 of a two-year planning and appeal process.

In brief

Goal: National Societies in the Caribbean region are implementing efficient, responsive and focused programmes that contribute to improving the lives of vulnerable people.

The Federation's mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity.

Surinam was hit by heavy rains in early May 2006. The banks of the Surinam River in the interior of the country overflowed, resulting in floods in an area the size of the Netherlands. Dozens of villages were completely inundated. Thousands of people were evacuated. Surinam had never experienced a disaster of this magnitude, and was not prepared for the extreme consequences. It was the first time the NGOs were expected to work together on this large scale. One year on, it seems the emergency assistance went well. The challenge now is to keep this new collaboration intact.

This report covers the period of 01/01/2006 to 31/12/2006 of a two-year planning and appeal process.

In a world of global challenges, continued poverty, inequity, and increasing vulnerability to disasters and disease, the International Federation with its global network, works to accomplish its Global Agenda, partnering with local community and civil society to prevent and alleviate human suffering fromdisasters, diseases and public health emergencies.

The Federation's mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity. It is the world's largest humanitarian organization and its millions of volunteers are active in 185 countries.

In Brief

Final Report; Period covered: 15 May 2006 - 30 November 2006; Appeal target: CHF 854,305 (USD 706,309 or EUR 550,346); Appeal coverage: 105.8%; Outstanding needs: None

Appeal history:

- Launched on 15 May 2006 for CHF 854,305 (USD 706,309 or EUR 550,346) for 5 months to assist 4,000 families (20,000 beneficiaries).

THE MAPACTION ORGANISATION

1. MapAction is an international NGO, headquartered in the UK. MapAction's vision is to apply the skills of professionals from the rapidly-evolving geo-informatics sector to help to relieve suffering and safeguard livelihoods in humanitarian emergencies. Its operational capacity is founded on a pool of volunteers who maintain readiness to deploy worldwide, together with a small full-time staff providing leadership and operational and administrative support.

2.

Caribbean: Appeal No.

(extract)

3. Disaster Response

In 2006, Latin Americ and the Caribbean were spared major disasters of the magnitude of Tropical Storm Stan (2005) or Hurricane Ivan (2004). However, many other emergency situations posed serious concerns and required substantial technical support from PAHO/WHO. A review of these situations in which PAHO worked with member states to respond to pressing health issues is provided below.

Unusually high seasonal rainfall at the end of 2005 caused widespread flooding in several Regions of Guyana in early 2006.

This report covers the period of 01/01/2006 to 31/12/2006 of a two-year planning and appeal process.

In a world of global challenges, continued poverty, inequity, and increasing vulnerability to disasters and disease, the International Federation with its global network, works to accomplish its Global Agenda, partnering with local community and civil society to prevent and alleviate human suffering from disasters, diseases and public health emergencies.

The Federation's mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity. It is the world's largest humanitarian organization and its millions of volunteers are active in over 181 countries. For more information: www.ifrc.org

In Brief

Appeal No. MAA49001; Programme Update no.

GA/10532

Sixty-first General Assembly
Plenary
52nd & 53rd Meetings (AM & PM)

Assembly Also Considers Strategies to Forestall Disasters, Boost Response; Assistance to Palestinian People; Three Texts on Regional Cooperation Adopted

Pau- 11th October 2006. Télécoms Sans Frontières (TSF), the United Nations Office of Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), have officially announced, Wednesday the 4th of October in New York, a partnership to provide telecommunications to the humanitarian community in all world crises.

Within the reform of the United Nations, TSF has been appointed "First Responder" of the Emergency Telecoms Cluster (ETC).

Pau - 11 Octobre 2006. Télécoms Sans Frontières (TSF), le Bureau de la Coordination des Affaires Humanitaires des Nations Unies (OCHA) et le Fond des Nations Unies pour l'enfance (UNICEF) ont officiellement annoncé, le mercredi 4 octobre à New York, un partenariat afin de fournir des moyens de télécommunications à la communauté humanitaire sur toutes les crises du monde entier.

Participation d'un détachement d'hélicoptère belge à des opérations de secours au Suriname

Sur proposition de M.

ASIA

INDONESIA -CENTRAL JAVA AND YOGYAKARTA - EARTHQUAKE AND MT MERAPI VOLCANO

On 27 May, an earthquake measuring 5.9 on Richter scale struck Yogyakarta Province. The epicentre was approximately 37.2 km south of Yogyakarta at a depth of 33 kilometres. The most affected districts were Bantul and Kulonprogo south of Yogyakarta. The death toll stands at 5,778. The number of injuries stands at 37,912. 205,888 homes have been completely destroyed.

The Federation's mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity. It is the world's largest humanitarian organization and its millions of volunteers are active in over 181 countries.

Rain Water Harvesting

With the rainy season, waters are rising again in the East of Suriname. In some areas the situation is critical again. In the Ampomatapu area people have sought a safe haven in French Guyana. Also parts of West Suriname, such as the road to Blanche Marie have flooded. The National Coordination Centre intends to continue food distribution.

Washington, D.C.