Georgia: Floods OCHA Situation Report No. 4

Ref: OCHA/GVA - 2005/0082
OCHA Situation Report No. 4
Georgia - Floods
This situation report is based on information received from the UN Resident Coordinators Office in Georgia under the framework of the DMT.

Situation

1. As has been reported in previous Situation Reports over the past two weeks, heavy rainfall, warm temperatures and a sudden onset of the seasonal snow melt resulted in floods across the country, particularly in Racha-Lechkhumi - Lower (Kvemo) Svaneti, Imereti and Samegrelo-Upper (Zemo) Svaneti on 25-26 April. On 27-30 April the eastern regions of Inner (Shida) Kartli, Lower (Kvemo) Kartli, Mtskheta-Mtianeti, Adjara and part of Samtskhe-Javakheti were also affected. Landslides and mudflows have occurred in many mountainous areas.

2. While fortunately there has been no loss of human life, the damage to already poor infrastructure, residential buildings and agriculture has been extensive. Populations from a number of villages have been relocated due to fears for their safety. Families from damaged or destroyed houses have mostly found temporary shelter with relatives, friends, or neighbors. Regional authorities have, with the assistance of the central Government, mobilized a variety of resources to address immediate needs, though still limited to address immediate food and non-food emergency needs.

3. In this context, the DMT agencies have been undertaking needs assessment and assistance efforts, and information sharing actions. The DMT is led by the UN Resident Coordinator, supported by staff of his office, and various sectoral and operational working groups. It consists of all UN relief agencies present in Georgia, several interested donors, ICRC, IFRC, and international NGOs. Its main function is to help ensure adequate and effective international assistance to complement the actions of the Government.

4. The Disaster Management Team has prepared a document on "Flooding in Georgia: An Overview of Needs and Assistance Actions" summarizing the needs assessments that have been undertaken by various DMT members, i.e., CHF, the International Federation/Georgian Red Cross, UMCOR, UNICEF, World Vision, and WFP as well as sectoral needs and proposed assistance actions. The document can be accessed by clicking on the following link: http://www.reliefweb.int/library/documents/2005/ocha-geo-10may.pdf.

5. While the Government has responded with particular assistance actions, the document flags further assistance needs regarding health, water and sanitation, food aid, and agriculture. The health needs involve actions to strengthen health systems in the most affected areas, which are being stressed by population displacement and problems regarding drinking water. Drinking water was highlighted across many areas as a major concern. Food aid will be needed for at least an initial two months to the most affected persons. It is also foreseen subsequently in the form of food-for-work for the most affected areas (targeted at preventive actions such as creation of gabions). A review of the agricultural situation is being undertaken, with a view to determining whether it is possible to implement a programme to provide seeds to the worst affected areas (mostly in the mountainous areas) in the few weeks remaining in the planting season.

6. The document provides a summary of international assistance as well as information provided to the DMT regarding contributions, both in-kind and cash. It also summarizes proposed relief and emergency rehabilitation actions by several DMT agencies, i.e., UNICEF, WFP, the Federation/Georgian Red Cross, and UMCOR, . These are complementary to actions undertaken by the Government. For donors who wish to use such international channels for providing funding or other resources, the contact information is noted with each summary.

7. The Government will be providing information during the next week about further rehabilitation needs, in particular concerning damage to physical infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and dams.

8. The UN currently has an initial two-person mission from UN-OCHA headquarters working with the various parts of the Government. This team has come in advance of a larger UN mission that, as agreed with the Prime Minister, will be in Georgia in June 2005 to take a more in-depth analysis, and present its findings and recommendations (to the Prime Minister and other senior Government officials, as well as to interested donors.

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

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

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Mr. Ricardo Mena
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E-mail: menar@un.org

Ms. Charlotta Benedek
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Press contact:

(GVA) Ms. Elizabeth Byrs direct Tel. +41-22-917 2653
(N.Y.) Ms. Stephanie Bunker direct Tel. +1-917-892 1669