Argentina - Floods OCHA Situation Report No. 1

Ref: OCHA/GVA - 2003/0053
OCHA Situation Report No. 1
Argentina - Floods
1 May 2003

Situation

1. Floods have severely affected the Province of Santa Fé as well as areas of the Provinces of Santiago del Estero and Entre Rios. Central and northern departments of the province of Santa Fé have been declared zones of national emergency.

2. The flooding has been caused by on-going heavy rains during March and April, particularly during the last 72 hours. The Salado River normally has a level of 2.5 meters, which has now risen to 7 meters. The water is reaching densely populated areas.

3. The Government of Argentina has not requested international assistance.

4. So far, 15 dead and 150 persons missing have been reported.

5. Preliminary assessments indicate:

• Damage in Santa Fé is particularly concentrated to its capital (population 400,000).160,000 persons had been evacuated by 30th April. A child hospital was flooded and had to be evacuated.
  
  
• The city has only one remaining connection by land, although it maintains air communications. 75% of the city remains under water. For security reasons, electricity has been cut in 70% of the city.
  
  
• 70% of the harvest areas in the northern and central parts of the Province have been lost. An early appreciation calculates overall losses at USD 200 million.

National Response

6. An emergency committee has been established comprising representatives of the Provincial Government, Armed Forces and Civil Society. At present, there are 50 centres attending to the evacuated population.

Requirements

7. Basic relief supplies including food rations, drinking water, blankets/ mattresses and clothing.

Coordination

8. The Provincial Government has applied to UNDP for support in emergency response as well as in coordinating and channeling donor initiatives. UNDP has been in contact with the Interamerican Development Bank, the World Bank, the European Union and the main Embassies in the country. UNDP is also coordinating actions with UNICEF and WHO/PAHO.

9. OCHA is prepared to serve as channel for cash contributions to be used for immediate relief assistance, in coordination/consultation with relevant organizations in the United Nations system. For banking details please contact the Desk Officers indicated below. OCHA provides donors with written confirmation and pertinent details concerning the utilization of the funds contributed.

Contributions

10. This situation report, together with further information on ongoing emergencies, is also available on the OCHA Internet Website at http://www.reliefweb.int.

MAP - Argentina: Floods - Location Map

Telephone: +41-22-917 12 34
Fax: +41-22-917 00 23
E-mail: ochagva@un.org

In case of emergency only: Tel. +41-22-917 20 10

Desk Officers:
Mr. Erik Haegglund
Direct Tel. +41-22-917 3299

Press contact:
(GVA) - Ms. Elizabeth Byrs, direct Tel. +41-22-917 26 53
(N.Y.) - Ms. Stephanie Bunker,direct Tel. +1-212-963 87 40