Ref: OCHAGVA - 99/0239
GHANA FLOODS
OCHA Geneva Situation Report No. 4
1 December 1999
Situation
1. This report summarizes the outcome of a coordination meeting led by the UN Resident Coordinator and the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO).
2. NADMO reported that 291,573 persons (166,274 children, 70,766 women and 54,533 men) have been affected by the floods. 54,748 persons have been displaced:
|
Children
|
Women
|
Men
|
Total
|
Displaced
|
|
| Northern |
98,182
|
42,775
|
30,714
|
171,671
|
31,897
|
| Upper East |
52,058
|
18,741
|
16,196
|
86,995
|
17,835
|
| Upper West |
7,915
|
4,432
|
3,796
|
16,141
|
1,873
|
| Volta |
7,802
|
4,637
|
3,721
|
16,160
|
3,041
|
| Brong Ahafo |
317
|
181
|
106
|
604
|
102
|
| TOTAL |
166,274
|
70,766
|
54,533
|
291,573
|
54,748
|
- A sixth working group on Logistics has been formed (ref. to situation report no.3 para.5). The task of the groups is to look beyond the immediate needs towards post-emergency requirements:
Food: WFP will provide 900 Mt of maize and 83 Mt of beans, valued at USD 200,000 for 50,000 persons in Northern Region (30,000), Upper East Region (12,000) and Upper West Region (8,000) as one month supply for vulnerable people such as children, the elderly and women. 116,579 acres of farmlands were destroyed, leading to an estimated 50-60% reduction in yield. Mid-term assistance would include seeds and farming tools. The recommendation is for a technical assessment team to conduct a comprehensive surveillance of food requirements. Workshops on modalities of food distribution and record tracking will be taking place in close cooperation with the Government.
Shelter: NADMO reported that 6,600 houses were damaged and 2,500 destroyed. It is estimated that the tents and plastic sheeting provided by the Japanese Government and UNHCR would be sufficient to cover immediate shelter needs. Beyond that, cement and construction materials are required to help repair partially damaged houses. The shelter working group and local NADMO representatives have initiated an in-depth survey of additional shelter, reconstruction and rehabilitation requirements.
Health: WHO and UNICEF will provide the following for 300,000 people for 3 months:
- 12,000 mosquito nets - WHO:500, UNICEF: 11,500
- 90 Emergency kits - WHO: 60, UNICEF: 30
- 17,000 doses of measles vaccines and syringes, 200,000 doses of yellow fever vaccines and syringes, 200,000 doses of cerebrospinal meningitis vaccines and syringes and 50,000 doses of polio vaccines - UNICEF
- 50,000 capsules of Vitamin A - UNICEF
WHO also provides USD 35,000 for logistics and USD 10,000 for purchase of additional drugs. Drugs to supply free health care are also required until September 2000, the next harvesting period, as few flood victims can afford medicaments due to the lack of income.
Water & Sanitation: Small dams and wells were destroyed particularly in the Upper East Region. Many existing water sources have been contaminated. Ghana Water and Sewerage Cooperation chlorinated water in Upper-west and Upper-East Regions. UNICEF will assist in provision of 5 barrels of Charlene. Technical assistance and community training for appropriate water purification treatment is required.
Infrastructure: The rehabilitation of higways, bridges and culverts in the North, Upper-East, and Upper-West regions is the first priority. The estimated requirements for road reconstruction are:
- Northern Region: GHC 4,500,000,000 (USD 1,610,018)
- Upper-West Region: GHC 2,126,652,555 (USD 760,877)
- Upper-East Region: GHC 2,402,687,844 (USD 859,638)
The government, local donor communities and development agencies are making efforts to prioritize the rehabilitation activities and integrate them into existing development programmes.
Logistics: Transportation from Accra to three regional capitals (Tamale, Bolgatange and Wa) need to be secured. Approximately GHC 150,000,000 (USD 53,667) to hire 100 trucks will be required for transportation of food assistance provided by WFP. UNDP is considering providing logistic support for this purpose. WHO and UNDP will cover transportation cost of medical supplies.
3. The next co-ordination meeting is scheduled to be held on 6 December. The results of detailed assessment from Water & Sanitation, Shelter and Logistic Committee are expected to be made available at that meeting.
Contributions
4. SIDA contributed SEK 570,000 (approx. USD 69,512) to provide shelter material and clothing to the vulnerable through Anglican Church in Ghana.
5. OCHA is prepared to serve as a channel for cash contributions for the immediate 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 - Ghana Floods 1999.
6. 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 Officers: Mr. Klaus Wiersing, Head, Africa Desk, Ms. Yasuko Sawada, Associate Humanitarian Affairs Officer, Disaster Response Branch, direct Tel:41 22 917 2270/4122 917 1768
Contact person for the media: Ms. Elena Ponomareva, direct tel:+41-22-917 23 36Telex 4142 42 OCHA CH
Fax: + 41-22 917 00 23
E-mail: info@dha.unicc.org
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