Iran - Floods OCHA Situation Report No. 3

Ref. 99/0101
Iran - Floods
OCHA Situation Report No. 3
5 August 1999

Situation

1. Following the heavy floods of 25 and 26 July 1999 in Mazandaran Province in northern Iran, the Disaster Task Force (DTF) of the Ministry of Interior has released the following information on the impact of the disaster:

1. Golestan Province and the northern part of Khorasan Province have been flooded on Tuesday 27 July as rains moved to the east. Extensive physical damage is reported although not yet quantified. No loss of life is reported.

National Response

3. The President of the Islamic Republic of Iran has visited the affected area and expressed his condolences for the loss of life. He urged the nation to provide assistance to the affected population. The Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran has stated that it would accept voluntary international humanitarian assistance to support the victims of the disaster. The preferred modality of assistance is cash contributions as most items can be purchased locally.

4. The relief operation continues with the help of thousands of relief volunteers and Basij (militia), utilizing a number of helicopters and hundreds of trucks. Most of the impacted population is accommodated in schools and mosques while suitable land areas are being identified to initiate a house reconstruction initiative. The water system has been repaired. In Neka, gas, communication and electricity networks have been reconnected up to 90 per cent. About 70 per cent of mud has been removed.

5. Relief items distributed include 200 MT of bread, 35 MT of rice, sugar, tea, oil, dates and canned fruits. In addition, 7,000 boxes of detergents, 15,000 cubes of soap, 11,100 blankets, 1,300 lanterns and 4,500 floor mats are being delivered to the affected population.

International Response

6. In addition to what has been reported in the OCHA Situation Report No.2, UNICEF has provided USD 50,000 for the purchase of supplies related to water and sanitation. United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has allocated USD 50,000 towards rehabilitation of medical services in the area. The Government of Denmark, through its Embassy in Tehran, has provided USD 30,000 for relief assistance.

7. OCHA is prepared to serve as channel for cash contributions to be used for immediate relief assistance, in coordination/consultation with relevant organizations in the United Nations system. Funds should be transferred to OCHA account No. CO-590.160.0, Swift code: UBSWCHZH12A at the UBS AG, P.O. Box 2770, CH-1211 Geneva 2, with reference: OCHA - Iran - Floods. OCHA provides donors with written confirmation and pertinent details concerning the utilization of the funds contributed.

8. Donors are requested to inform OCHA Geneva, as indicated below, of bilateral relief missions /pledges/contributions and their corresponding values by item.

9. OCHA is in close contact with the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in Tehran to monitor the development of the situation.

10. 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: Tel. +41-22-917 20 10

Desk Officers: Ms. S. Metzner-Strack/Mr. R. Mueller/Ms. M. Kondo,
OCHA Disaster Response Branch, direct Tel. +41-22-917-2144 / 3131 / 1997

Press contact: Ms. E. Ponomareva, direct Tel. +41-22-917 23 36

Telex: 414242 OCHA CH
Fax: +41-22-9187 00 23
E-mail: info@dha.unicc.org