Argentina - Floods OCHA Situation Report No. 6

Ref: OCHA/GVA - 2003/0068
OCHA Situation Report No. 6
Argentina - Floods
14 May 2003

Urgent need for temporary housing

1. With reference to a message addressed by the Government of Argentina to the United Nations Resident Coordinator appealing for support and assistance, attention is particularly drawn to the need to provide temporary housing for 4,000 families in Santa Fé Province, whose houses have been destroyed. The cost of each housing unit has been estimated at ARS 2,500 (approx. USD 850)

Situation

2. The population has gradually begun to return to areas that are not flooded any more to clean up their houses. Management of accumulated garbage and debris in the streets of the affected areas is a concern. Pumps have been installed in order to free the area of the remaining waters. There is, however, a need for further pumping equipment (see para. 10 below)

3. The sanitary situation is under control. The Ministry of Health has organized special medical service for evacuated people and a system of epidemiological control.

National Response

4. Food supplies as well as other basic relief assistance are provided to people evacuated. The task of delivering food and distributing relief supplies has been assigned to the Army. Technical assistance has been requested of the United Nations for the management of stocks.

Coordination

5. The United Nations Disaster Assistance and Coordination (UNDAC) Team has established cooperation with the provincial and municipal Governments, the Red Cross, NGO's, the private sector and the donor community. The UNDAC Team has been recognized for its effective role to facilitate coordination among the different actors.

6. After a week of immediate efforts to support coordination, the UNDAC Team had a meeting on Monday 12 May with the Minister of Government, Head of the Provincial Crisis Committee, who gave them an overview of the following priorities:

• Construction of shelters to relocate affected people, who are currently lodged in schools. A number of 111 schools should be immediately freed for educational purposes. Classes to begin again on 2 June.
  
  
• Final disposal of refuse and debris.
  
  
• Plan of housing reconstruction.

The Minister of Government demonstrated a positive attitude towards cooperation with all actors involved.

7. The UNDAC Team pointed out the need to set up an operational emergency committee to optimize the effective use of resources. The next day an operational meeting was held with local and provincial technical teams (including UN-agencies and the Red Cross).

Technical support by the United Nations System

8. A UNDP Regional Environmental Risk Advisor has begun a mission in Santa Fé to assess the situation and advise about rehabilitation and prevention.

9. UNICEF, along with the Red Cross, is preparing a workshop to train staff from different institutions in a methodology for children's support in disaster situations.

10. WHO/PAHO continues its technical support to the Red Cross and the local authorities in the management of supplies (SUMA), provides advice to NGOs and universities about emergency sanitation measures and guidance to the Ministry of Health concerning public information and psychological support in emergency situations. PAHO-PED (Regional Program for Emergencies and Disasters) is liaising with the United States concerning the need for more pumping equipment in Santa Fé.

Contributions
(since situation report no. 5)

Switzerland: USD 50,000
(cash contribution through UNDP)

11. 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.

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

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 32 99

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