Costa Rica: Tropical Storm Information Report No.1

Ref: DHAGVA - 96/0425
1. A TROPICAL STORM HIT THE CENTRAL AND SOUTH PACIFIC REGIONS OF COSTA RICA ON 12 AND 13 OCTOBER 1996 BRINGING HEAVY RAINS AND CAUSING SERIOUS FLOODING.

2. UNDP/DHA RESIDENT REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS THAT, ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL EMERGENCY COMMISSION, A TOTAL OF 27 CANTONS HAVE BEEN AFFECTED WITH 17 LOCALITIES ISOLATED BY THE FLOOD WATERS. OVERALL POPULATION IN THE AFFECTED AREAS IS OF SOME 216,000 OF WHICH APPROXIMATELY 11,000 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN DIRECTLY AFFECTED, 3,480 ARE IN TEMPORARY SHELTERS AND 3 HAVE BEEN REPORTED DEAD.

3. DAMAGE REPORTS INDICATE:

• 20 HOUSES DAMAGED OR DESTROYED
• 25 SEGMENTS OF THE ROAD NETWORK AFFECTED
• 13 BRIDGES DAMAGED OR DESTROYED
• 3 DAMS DAMAGED
• 4 AQUEDUCTS AFFECTED

NATIONAL RESPONSE

4. AS OF 16 OCTOBER 1996 THE FOLLOWING EMERGENCY RELIEF ITEMS HAVE BEEN PROVIDED TO THE AFFECTED POPULATION:

• 675 FOAM MATTRESSES
• 325 BLANKETS
• CRC 355,000 (APPROXIM. USD 1,714) IN FOOD SUPPLIES
• CRC 215,000 (APPROXIM USD 1,038) IN FUEL

1. UNTIL THE PRESENT MOMENT, THE GVT OF COSTA RICA HAS NOT REQUESTED INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE.

6. FOR COORDINATION PURPOSES, DONORS ARE REQUESTED TO INFORM DHA GENEVA AS INDICATED BELOW OF RELIEF MISSIONS/PLEDGES/CONTRIBUTIONS AND THEIR CORRESPONDING VALUE BY ITEM.