Gambia - Floods OCHA Situation Report No. 2

OCHA/GVA - 99/0262
Gambia - Floods
OCHA Situation Report No. 2
27 December 1999

Situation

1. This report is based on an update from the office for the UN Resident Coordinator in Gambia, following the end of the emergency phase.

2. A sub-committee of the National Committee chaired by UNHCR in which UNDP is a member will hold a meeting in January 2000 to prepare a project support document for the long-term capacity building for emergency preparedness.

Achievements and Assistance Provided

3. The Government mobilized a total of USD 134,072 through cash contributions made by the public and the private sectors. The Government has also received a number of in kind contributions in the form of food supplies, clothing and furniture.

On-going Activities

4. FAO is in the process of approving support of approximately USD 30,000 for women's horticultural schemes.

5. The African Development Bank is presently on mission in Gambia to identify areas of support to the affected communities. The Bank's assistance will focus on 3 areas, i.e. medicine, water/sanitation and agricultural inputs (seeds/fertilizer), to rehabilitate and strengthen the capacity of rural communities.

6. The Government of Gambia and UNDP are presently in a process of formulating a project to strengthen response preparedness capacity, including proper data collection mechanism, for emergencies. The Government's commitment to respond to the emergency was so strong that the Vice President was heavily involved in almost all discussions on relief operations. However, during the emergency relief operations, it was noted that the institutional structures and systems for a smooth and appropriate response to an emergency need to be refined.

Unmet Needs

7. Following the immediate alleviation of the damages inflicted by the floods, there is now a need to rebuild houses and strengthen a production capacity of the affected communities to ensure a good harvest for the forthcoming season. Rehabilitation of houses is largely covered by the communities with the US's funds. Provision of seeds and fertilizer is underway. The UN system is trying to address these aspects within the on-going projects and programmes, while there is a need for further support.

8. Rehabilitation of infrastructure remains a priority. All major roads (the East-West and the North-South highways) were damaged and transportation to the villages are still difficult.

9. OCHA is prepared to serve, as a channel for cash contributions for relief needs. Funds channeled through OCHA will be spent in coordination with the relevant organizations of the UN system and OCHA will provide written confirmation of their use. Funds should be transferred to OCHA Account No. CO-590.160.1 SWIFT-code SBC0CHGG12A - at the UBS AG, PO Box 2770, CH-1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland, with reference: OCHA - Gambia - Floods 1999.

10. For coordination purposes, donors are requested to inform OCHA Geneva, as indicated below, of relief missions, pledges or contributions and their corresponding value by item.

11. The international assistance, which has been reported to OCHA as of today, may be found by clicking on Financial Tracking at the top of the page for this disaster on the OCHA Internet Website (http://www.reliefweb.int). Given that information on contributions reaches OCHA Geneva from multiple sources, donors are urged to verify this table and inform OCHA of corrections/additions/values, as required. Donors are requested to notify OCHA Geneva of any further contributions to this disaster using the 'OCHA Standardized Contributions Recording Format', available electronically in the above mentioned Financial Tracking Website.

12. This Situation Report and further information on ongoing emergencies are also available on the OCHA Internet Website at: http://www.reliefweb.int

Telephone number: + 41-22-917-12 34
In case of emergency only: + 41-22- 917 20 10

Desk Officer: Ms. Yasuko Sawada, Associate Humanitarian Affairs Officer
Disaster Response Branch, direct Tel: +41 22 917 1768

Contact person for the media: Mr. Donato Kiniger-Passigli, direct Tel: +41-22-917 2653

Telex 4142 42 OCHA CH
Fax: + 41-22 917 00 23
E-mail: Ochagva@un.org