Zimbabwe - Floods OCHA Situation Report No. 4

Ref:OCHA/2000/0059
Zimbabwe - Floods
OCHA Situation Report No. 4
22 March 2000

A United Nations Inter-Agency Appeal for Emergency Relief for USD 3,160,799 has been updated (The full document is available on the OCHA Internet Website at : http://www.reliefweb.int and a hard copy is available at OCHA Geneva)

1. On 15 March, the updated United Nations Inter-Agency Appeal amounting to USD 3.16 million was shared locally at a donor meeting. The appeal included two proposals from NGOs, i.e. Catholic Relief Services (CRS)/Catholic Development Commission (CADEC) and Southern Africa Media Services Organization (SAMSO). The requirements for shelter and a component for refugees will be included in the forthcoming next update.

2. The United Nations Disaster Management Team sent three teams to the affected areas in order to assist civil protection teams comprised of district authorities, NGOs, and representatives from the private sector in assessment and data collection. UN agencies are represented as follows: Matebeleland South province (UNDP and UNFPA), Masvingo in Victoria province (WHO and UNICEF) and Mutare in Manicaland province (UNDP and WHO). As rains continue, some of the areas are still inaccessible. The following are the preliminary findings:

Matebeleland South (Beitbridge District): It is estimated that 902 persons need attention and assistance in the following villages: Chamnanga, Lutumba, Chapfuche, Musane village, Chamnangana village, Masungana and Zezani village. In those areas, the situation is no longer life-threatening, as the ground is drying up. However, there are problems of water and sanitation due to the lack of latrines and broken facilities. There is also a risk of malaria outbreak due to stagnant water. Funds for transportation and coordination are needed for assessments in Gwanda, Matobo, Mzingwane and Insiza district.

Midlands (Chirumhanzu District): 103 families are confirmed homeless. 83 families are reported to be homeless (not confirmed). The estimated number of the affected persons is 1,116.

Manicaland: 45 persons are confirmed dead. The estimated number of displaced persons is 3,000. The UN team estimated that 80,000 lit. of diesel and 20,000 lit. of petrol are required for food distribution, data collection and emergency road repair in Chipinge. An acute shortage of medicaments has been observed.

3. A World Bank Team is visiting Manicaland province to assess how they could assist with the rehabilitation of communications in the affected districts. The World Bank is liasing closely with the UN Disaster Management Team.

Contributions

4. The UN Disaster Management Team has been liasing with donors locally for fundraising. The requirements for logistics and shelter are priorities to be covered. There are some contributions made in response to the UN Inter-Agency Appeal, which are recorded in the updated appeal as of 15 March. Donors are kindly requested to respond to the appeal generously and clarify/inform OCHA on their contributions.

5. 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 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 - Zimbabwe - Floods 2000.

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

7. This Situation Report and further information on ongoing emergencies are 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 (OCHA Disaster Response Branch): Ms. Katarina Toll -Velasquez /Ms. Y. Sawada, direct Tel. +41-22-917 1107 / +41-22-917 1768

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