Attachments
A. Situation analysis
Description of the disaster
The incessant torrential rains during third-fourth weeks of September 2017 has left 42 communities inundated with water in Lower Margibi and Montserrado Counties of Liberia. According to rapid assessments by the local Red Cross branch and the office of the City Mayor of Unification City along with local communities’ leaders there were 21 villages/communities and close to 10,000 people or 2,000 families affected by rainfed floods. Around 1,500 families whose homes and livelihood security coupled with contaminated water sources caused by flooded latrines, factories, graves amongst others stagnant water that put the community at risk of water and vector borne diseases.
Liberia is one of the world most wet countries and has a record number of floods in the last ten years.
Lower Margibi has a history of recurring floods in the last 4 years where communities remain at risk of flooding especially in the peak of the rainy season. In late June and early July 2016, the National Disaster Management Agency reported that over 15,000 persons were affected by floods in 49 communities of Lower Margibi. In Montserrado, urban communities are among the most affected with over 45% of the affected population.
Once again, the Du River joining the Atlantic Ocean in Lower Margibi overflowed its banks thereby leaving people in their communities at risk. The main road to International Airport was rendered impassable due to the flood waters, heavily constraining vehicle traffic and those travelling by air as road traffic have to find alternative routes. The rains hamper ability of those marooned in their villages for return to safety. Therefore, the DREF is focused on those communities that are inaccessible for evacuation to safer places.
Summary of the current response
Overview of Host National Society
In response to the back-to-back floods (2016 and 2017), the LNRCS has dispatched assorted relief items procured under the current Japanese supported floods preparedness and response project. The items include 300 sleeping mats, 1,000 bars of soap, 2 bales baby clothes (boys and girls) 2 bales children’s clothes (boys and girls 5-17), 2 bales male and female clothes (adults), and 400 blankets. They will be distributed to affected communities who have been staying in specific shelters in Lower Margibi.
The LNRCS has a strong capacity in water and sanitation programming. As part of the immediate response, and with support from ICRC, the LNRCS WASH team has begun water trucking in some extremely affected communities in Margibi. Access to communities in parts of Montserrado and Margibi is challenging. In some cases, LNRCS will need to use the Mercedes four-wheeler truck and in some cases, it will organise local arrangements for wood canoes to transport community members from risk areas that are cut-off by the floods. The airport being cut off needs special mention. The LNRCS has manned the airport highway overnight since Saturday 16 September and has deployed staff and volunteers, a Mercedes truck rescue people and goods from stuck and stranded vehicles.
The LNRCS and National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) set up a daily National Coordination forum on 17 September to coordinate information and initial response. During the first meeting on 18 September, relief agencies including WHO, WFP, UNDP, OXFAM and PSI along with City authorities, MOH and community leaders resolved that drinking water, food, shelter and clothing should be supplied immediately. Red Cross also prioritized search and rescue efforts as critical where some people may still be stranded for days without amenities.
The Red Cross while validating the list of affected families will commence the distribution of minimum assorted non-food items to about 200 families only. These are from the IFRC, Japanese Flood Recovery Project with LNRCS and Danish Red Cross emergency stocks. The Red Cross also continues to advocate for drinking water, rescue efforts and additional food and non-food supplies for the affected population.
The LNRCS capacity to respond is enhanced by its experience in managing similar emergencies, especially in 2016. There are 5 FACT members trained, 1 ERU Logistics, 2 RDRT members (relief and WASH) and a reasonable logistics that need minimum augmentation to further function effectively without stress. With a well-structured Chapter and Branch on the grounds, the response actions can be easily coordinated with other actors.