ReliefWeb

Ref: OCHA/GVA - 2000/0045
OCHA Situation Report No. 2
Madagascar - Cyclone Eline and Gloria

7 March 2000

Situation

1. The accumulation of the rains from cyclone 'Eline' and the impact of 'Gloria'on 2 March have created a serious flood situation in and around the towns of : Morondava, Belo, Brikaville -already suffering from the after effects of 'Eline' and Samabava ?Anadapa on the west coast. In the latter mud slides and floods have caused the death of about 40 people. Details of the situation in the affected areas are not yet available, due to the heavy damage to roads and the breakdown of telephone lines.

2. The following major road links have been interrupted:

• Tamatave-Brikaville - Route nationale 2,
• Tamatave - Fenerive-Est
• Andapa-Sambava-Antalaha- national route serving the North-East part of the country.

3. The Government, through its Conseil National de Secours (CNS), is leading the national and international response efforts. On the basis of assessment missions, in which representatives from UNDP, WFP and UNICEF participated, estimates are as follows: the population in the affected regions- Vatomandry, Antanambao, Anosy Be, Marolambo and Belo sur Tsribihina is 613,000 people, including 250,000 women and 130,000 children.

4. The number of homeless is estimated at 10,000 of which 4,000 women and 2,000 children.

5. Today the CNS has been formalizing an appeal for international assistance, which will be communicated tomorrow. Heads of UN have also met today in the premises of WFP to coordinate their response to the emergency. OCHA has sent a staff member, currently on mission in Southern Africa, to Madagascar to assist the UN country team.

6. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is in contact with the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Madagascar.

7. OCHA is prepared to serve as a channel for cash contributions for the immediate relief needs. Funds channelled through OCHA will be spent in co-ordination with the relevant organisations 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 UBSWCHZ12A - at the UBS AG, PO Box 2770, CH-1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland, with reference:
OCHA - Madagascar - Cyclone 2000.

8. This situation report, together with further information on ongoing emergencies, is 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 (Mr. Klaus Wiersing/Ms.Y. Sawada, (OCHA Disaster Response Branch) direct Tel.: +41-22-917 22 70 / +41-22-917 17 68

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