Togo - Floods OCHA Situation Report No. 2

TOGO FLOODS
OCHA Geneva Situation Report No. 2
02 December 1999

1. On the initiative of the UNDP Resident Coordinator ( RC) three coordination meetings were held in October to discuss the situation in the affected regions. On 10 November a fourth one was called and chaired by the Minister for Planning. The RC briefed the Minister and the representatives of the local donor community on his consultation mission to WFP, Rome, ECHO and OCHA, Geneva. UNDP has made available 100,000 US$ for damage assessment, done by OCDI; OCHA has provided an emergency grant of 20,000 US$, and both WFP and ECHO are studying a report submitted by an expert from ECHO, who had carried out a mission in the flood areas.

2. A summary of the results of the mission was presented to the meeting: Savanes and Kara appear to be most affected in their infrastructure by the floods, creating serious access problems. Less problematic was the situation in the maritime region, because of better roads as well as the possibility of a third harvest which would reduce the losses sustained from the recent floods. In the other regions the impact of crop losses will be felt in February, when the products of the current harvest, estimated to be only a third of normal yields, will have been consumed.

3. The expert noted with appreciation the solidarity among the population which has made it possible for the homeless to find temporary shelter. Overall, the emergency phase can be considered over in the affected regions.

4. The main recommendations of the report comprised:

* Food-for-work programme to rebuild damaged infrastructure

* Food rations of 40% of what has been recommended by OCDI.

5. During the ensuing discussion the EU representative pointed out that the contribution from ECHO, having been requested to provide over 1 million euros, is still under consideration, but will be lower. UNICEF, in view of the improved situation, will not be in a position to provide funds from its normal cooperation programme. Germany has made 50,000 DM available for Savanes, Kava and Maritime for food, clothing and medicines.

6. OCHA is prepared to serve as a channel for cash contributions for the immediate relief needs. Funds channelled through OCHA will be spent in coordination with the relevant organizations 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 SBC0CHGG12A - at the UBS AG, PO Box 2770, CH-1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland, with reference: OCHA -Togo Floods 1999.

7. For coordination purposes, donors are requested to inform OCHA Geneva, as indicated below, of relief missions, pledges or contributions and their corresponding values by item.

8. 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 only: + 41-22- 917 20 10

Desk Officers: Mr. Klaus Wiersing, Head, Africa Desk
Ms. Yasuko Sawada, Associate Humanitarian Affairs Officer
Disaster Response Branch, direct Tel:+41 22 917 2270/+4122 917 1768

Contact person for the media: Ms. Elena Ponomareva, direct tel:+41-22-917 23 36
Telex 4142 42 OCHA CH
Fax: + 41-22 917 00 23
E-mail: Ochagva@un.org