Hungary - Floods OCHA Situation Report No. 1

Ref: OCHA/GVA - 2000/ 0082
OCHA Situation Report No. 1
Hungary - Floods
19 April 2000

1. Disaster Situation

The serious flood situation developed along the Tisza River in Hungary weeks ago has worsened and the Government of Hungary has decided to request international assistance. The actual water level exceeds 10 meters, which is critical and is the highest level ever measured in some locations. Therefore, the Government of Hungary is requesting 2,000,000 sandbags from the international community, if it is possible, today by air. These bags are needed urgently for building protective dams in the areas at risk.

The Government of Hungary requests all countries in a position to assist to inform urgently about the assistance they can provide, the time of the delivery, the method of transportation and the number of sandbags.

2. Operation contacts in Hungary

As of 11:00h today, 900,000 sandbags, out of the 2,000,000 required, have been delivered/pledged by Euro-Atlantic Partner Countries (EAPC).

Donors wishing to assist Hungary to cover the unmet quantity of sandbags are requested to co-ordinate directly with the Operational Point of Contact in Budapest.

Point of contact:

Dr. Imre Orszàg
Head of Department of International Relations.

Telephone:
+36-1-469-4152
+36-1-469-4152

Fax:
+36-1-252-0521
+36-10469-4199

3. OCHA is in close contact with national authorities to monitor the situation and review assistance requirements.

4. 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.

5. This Situation Report and further information on ongoing emergencies are 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 (OCHA)
Mr Sergio Piazzi: Tel: +41-22-9173518
Mr Dusan Zupka: Tel: + 41-22-9171645
(Disaster Response Branch)

Press contact: Mr. Donato Kiniger-Passigli, direct Tel. +41-22-917 26 53

Internet Website at: http://www.reliefweb.int