Mexico: Earthquake - Information Bulletin n° 5

This Information Bulletin is being issued based on the needs described below reflecting the information available at this time.
The Situation

At 20.08 hours on 21 January, a major earthquake of magnitude 7.8 on the Richter Scale, struck off the coast of Colima state in the west of Mexico, 50 km east of Manzanillo and 500 km west of Mexico City. This is the strongest earthquake to hit Mexico for seven years and significant tremors were also felt in Mexico City, however, no major damage was reported. The government declared a state of emergency in ten towns in Colima state and seven towns in Jalisco state. Buildings collapsed, several hospitals were damaged and there were power outages, gas leakages and damage to the road infrastructure. In the state of Colima, the towns of Colima city, Armería, Coquimatlan, Ixtlahuacan, Villa de Alvarez and Tecomán were the worst affected by the earthquake.

Red Cross/Red Crescent Action

Official data from the initial results of assessments carried out by the Mexican Red Cross, the Institute of Housing of the State of Colima and the national school of engineers indicate that 29 people died, 1,073 were injured and 43,300 homes were destroyed or damaged by the earthquake, affecting approximately 177,530 people. The release of full, detailed assessment reports remains pending.

The following data shows damage in relation to the 11,911 houses surveyed to date in Colima state.

The Mexican Red Cross through its branches of Colima, Villa de Alvarez, Tecomán, Cerro Ortega, Manzanillo and Armería, together with the state branch of Jalisco, assisted 720 patients, transported 355 people by ambulance and rescued seven people. Tracing services were also provided and 14 cases of missing people were dealt with, four of which have been resolved. In addition, the National Society distributed 26 tonnes of relief goods to disaster victims from stocks available in the warehouse at headquarters; this consisted of blankets, clothing and food. The Mexican Red Cross also donated medical equipment for the Colima hospital, valued at approximately USD 100,000. A total of 304 medical personnel assisted in the provision of health services, 25 relief personnel were deployed and 52 external staff were also involved in the operation (90% of these members of personnel were volunteers). Furthermore, 30 ambulances and 7 rescue units took part in the emergency operation.

Given that there continue to be significant needs for emergency relief supplies, the American Red Cross has developed a proposal for assistance to a total of 450 of the most vulnerable families who lost their homes and possessions. The American Red Cross, through a grant of USD 200,000 from OFDA, will ensure the provision of stoves, tents, gas cylinders, kitchen kits, hygiene kits, blankets, mattresses and beds. Currently, a representative of the American Red Cross and the Mexican Red Cross personnel are working in the towns of Villa de Alvarez, Comala and Armería in order to draw up beneficiary lists. Those whose livelihood has been most affected by the earthquake will be prioritized for assistance. The German Red Cross has put forward a draft proposal for the rehabilitation of a total of 100 houses in the earthquake-affected area and final confirmation is awaited. The United Nations, the Spanish government (AECI) and the Canadian Red Cross have put forward offers of support, and the British Red Cross, the Japanese Red Cross and the Spanish Red Cross have also expressed interest in providing assistance in the framework of a global plan, under consideration by the Mexican Red Cross.

The Federation, represented by the regional communications delegate based in Mexico City, and PNS, including the American Red Cross and the German Red Cross Societies which have disaster response personnel on the ground in Mexico, are liaising with the Mexican Red Cross, supported by the Panama regional delegation and the Pan American Disaster Response Unit (PADRU).

It is intended to draw up a global Red Cross rehabilitation plan targeting the most vulnerable families affected by the disaster and taking into consideration initiatives to be undertaken by the government and other agencies.

For a full description of the National Society profile, see www.ifrc.org

For further details please contact :

• Isaac Oxenhaut, Mexican Red Cross National Headquarters; Phone (52-5) 53959502; Fax (52) 5 3951598, Mobile (52-55) 54353354 , email cruzroja@mexporta.com
• Fabricio López, Federation Regional Communications Delegate in Mexico, Phone: (52-55) 5255 4355; Mobile (52-55) 31473262; e-mail: fabricio1@cruzroja.org
• Josephine Shields, Panama Regional Delegation, Mobile (507) 676 1582 Fax (507) 317 13 00 email: ifrcpa53@ifrc.org
• Luis Luna, Federation Desk Officer, Phone (41 22) 730 42 74; Fax (41 22) 733 0395; email: luis.luna@ifrc.org

All International Federation Operations seek to adhere to the Code of Conduct and are committed to the Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response (SPHERE Project) in delivering assistance to the most vulnerable.

For support to or for further information concerning Federation operations in this or other countries, please access the Federation website at http://www.ifrc.org

For longer-term programmes, please refer to the Federation's Annual Appeal.

John Horekens
Director
External Relations

Santiago Gil
Head
Americas Department