Emergency Plan of Action (EPoA) Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia: Floods

DREF Operation Operation n° MDRMK004 Glide n° FL-2015-000012-MKD Date of issue: 12 February 2014 Date of disaster: 22 January 2015 Operation manager (responsible for this EPoA): Point of contact (name and title): Ali Samet – DM Coordinator Sasho Taleski [email protected] / [email protected] Macedonian Red Cross [email protected] Operation start date: Expected timeframe: 4 months Overall operation budget: CHF 179,211 Number of people affected: 100,000 Number of people to be assisted: 3,740 people (935 families), including the people already assisted Host National Society: Red Cross Society of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Number of staff and volunteers involved in the emergency operation: 52 staff and 248 volunteers Red Cross Red Crescent Movement partners actively involved in the operation (if available and relevant): N/A Other partner organizations actively involved in the operation: National Agencies for Crisis Management of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

A. Situation analysis Description of the disaster In the last week of January, Macedonia was affected by storms with heavy rainfalls and snow in the higher areas. The storms caused serious damages in the eastern part of the country, especially in the Municipality of Karbinci where a few villages were immediately evacuated due to the rise of the water levels of the rivers as well as the artificial lake Kalimanci and Gradche where the dams reached their full capacity. Due to the efforts of the National Coordinative Body, the people were evacuated in the city of Shtip or Radovish, while the cattle were moved to lands on a higher altitude. Red Cross volunteers are conducting assessment in municipality of At the end of January 2015 another alarm was set for Mogila Photo: Red Cross of The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia storms which occurred during the last weekend of the month. The situation had already been critical due to the high level of the rivers and the inundated dams in eastern Macedonia, and in addition the warmer weather and the rains caused an early melting of the snow in the mountain areas which additionally worsened the situation in the affected regions. The National Crisis Management Body immediately prepared and executed an action plan and undertook activities for reducing the expected flood impact. All government institutions on the national and local levels mobilized their resources and allowed their immediate deployment. The region of Bitola incorporates two additional municipalities, Mogila and Novaci, and Bitola is the most affected region by the recent floods. Namely, the heavy rains and the high level of water from the previous months but also the serious amount of garbage and rubble in the riverbed of the river Crna caused serious flooding on the agricultural Page | 2 fields and cut off several villages. Although the state institutions both on central and local levels invested significant efforts in order to reduce the floods, the water succeeded to penetrate the homes of the local population. The local institutions in joint action with the locals were placing sandbag blocks on the most exposed sections which proved to be insufficient. On the night of 4 February 2015, the level of the river Crna reached a record high level and posed a serious threat to the municipality of Novaci, that is mostly to the houses that were in the first row. The local crisis management centre had to undertake a drastic measure and cut the main road and as a result, the municipality was partially saved. In the whole above mentioned region, the water supply infrastructure is severely damaged and the water is not potable for the time being. Summary of the flooded regions

Total no. of Total no. of Flooded Assisted Assisted Municipalities affected affected Villages region families people families people Konche 407 1,631 Konche 15 60 1 Radovish Radovish 455 1,820 Injevo 5 20 Ceshinovo - Chiflik 4 16 2 Kochani 1,872 7,490 Obleshevo Ularci 39 156 Puhce 13 52 Shtip 1,630 6,520 Stepanci 5 20 Suvo Grlo 6 24 3 Shtip Kozjak 12 48 Karbinci 1,003 4,012 Kuchica 38 152 Gaber 6 24 Vasherejca 98 392 Novo Selani 33 132 Mogila 1,677 6,710 Noshpal 166 664 Mogila 27 108 Novaci 887 3,549 Topolchani 5 20 4 Bitola Loznani 60 240 Egri 14 56 Bitola 4,964 19,857 Opticari 16 64 Kravari 23 92 Zhabeni 13 52 Shupli kamen 5 30 5 Kumanovo Kumanovo 546 3,280 Jachince 5 30 Pcinje 20 120 Strumica 1,222 4,890 Monospitovo 30 120 Dabile 11 44 6 Strumica Bosilevo 2,645 10,580 Sachevo 13 52 Murtino 46 184 Novo Lagovo 12 48 Galichani 9 36 Prilep 1,630 6,520 Kadino Selo 16 64 7 Prilep Klepach 13 78 Vrbjani 22 132 Krivogashtani 1,450 5,800 Borotino 8 48 8 Kicevo Kicevo 541 3,250 St. Prilepska 85 510 Livadishta 9 Sveti Nikole Sveti Nikole 2,125 8,500 (villages in Ovce 23 92 Pole) 10 Skopje Gazi Baba 35 140 v. Smilkovci 19 114 11 Gostivar Gostivar 246 1,480 Gostivar / / 12 Ohrid Ohrid 246 985 Ohrid / / 13 Struga Struga 254 1,528 Misleshovo / / 14 Resen Resen 364 1,458 Resen / / TOTAL 24,199 100,000 935 4,094 Page | 3

The figures of the state authorities are based on the disaster`s overall impact on the population in the affected regions (economic impact such as flooded lands with crops), but they are not necessarily the families directly hit by the floods.

Summary of the current response Overview of Host National Society In the past years, the Red Cross Society of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia has been actively engaged in strengthening the capacities on national and especially on local level in cooperation with the local and national stakeholders, with special priority to community resilience. During the years, the National Society has conducted various theoretical and practical simulation exercises in the country, and, as a result, there are trained teams for disaster response on the local level. Over the past years, the National Society was using the DREF tool: in 2012 for the extreme winter conditions, in 2013 for floods and in 2015 again for extreme winter condition. This last DREF operation was focused on the replenishment of the stock. The past operations as well as the numerous trainings on local and national level resulted in a rapid and efficient response by the staff and the volunteers during the whole period. Movement Coordination During the crisis period the Macedonian Red Cross has been in constant communication and coordination with the IFRC Europe Zone Office in Budapest. Additionally the Red Cross National Societies of Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovenia contacted the Macedonian Red Cross and offered their support. At the moment of publishing of this EPoA, the contacts are still in process and assistance may be requested in case more serious rainfalls take place. Overview of non-RCRC actors in country The Red Cross Society of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is part of the National Crisis Management System which is composed of the following institutions: Centre for Crisis Management, Directorate for Protection and Rescue, Ministries of Health, Transport and Communication, Labour and Social Policy, Interior and Defense, as well as several other state agencies. The same system is developed on local level as well, where the local governments are supported by the regional centres of the above mentioned institutions including the ambulance service and the fire brigade. The system allows a timely and efficient dissemination of information and in accordance with the official SOP’s to undertake different actions in different situations. Until this moment the system has been functional, and is constantly improving after each operation. As in the past, during this operation too, the Red Cross Society of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is fully engaged in the operation on the national level and the local level and provides support for the state institutions within its mandate and capacities. Representatives from both the Macedonian RC HQ and the local branches are actively participating in the meetings of the crisis management bodies on a daily basis. Activities of the Red Cross Society of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Since the onset of the floods the Red Cross Society of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia has been engaged in the work of the National Crisis System with the governmental institutions. The National Disaster Response Team was also alerted for possible deployment to support the staff and volunteers from the Local Branches which were in the flooded regions. The local teams conducted needs and situation assessment in coordination with the local authorities and institutions and with support from the Red Cross Society of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia HQ. The Local Branches of Kumanovo, Kochani, Shtip, Radovish, Strumica, Prilep, Bitola, Kichevo, Sveti Nikole and the Red Cross Branch of Skopje City are finalizing the assessments in coordination with the local authorities, and further relief items are requested for the needs of the affected population. The staff and volunteers have already visited the affected areas and in the next days they will be fully engaged in their communities. The Red Cross volunteers also assisted the local authorities during the evacuation of 30 families in Shtip. Most of the people went to stay with relatives, while those that didn’t have any place to stay, were accommodated in the military barracks in Shtip. Page | 4

Volunteers distributing relief items in Shtip. Joint assessment with the local self-government. Photo: Red Cross of The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Photo: Red Cross of The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

Due to the scale of the disaster the HQ deployed the national team for disaster response which was supporting the local volunteers and staff in the emergency distribution of relief items and the needs assessment. The assessment in the flooded regions was a challenging process due to the infrastructural damage. Nevertheless, both the volunteers and staff made significant efforts and in a period of four days succeeded in completing the initial assessment. As a result of the seriousness of the situation Red Cross Society of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia organized a press conference (on 4th February 2015) together with the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy where the Macedonian RC Secretary General and the Minister informed the nation about the current ongoing activities in the flooded regions for provision of support to the affected population. Red Cross Society of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia opened accounts for donations in local (denars) and foreign currency and phone lines from all national mobile operators. During this first phase, the national society immediately put in use the national emergency stocks (food and hygiene parcels, blankets, mattresses, and rubber boots), and additionally received donations in disinfectants and most importantly bottled water which was urgently needed in large quantities as well as food and hygiene parcels. The team for tracing service of the Red Cross Society of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia was also involved in the assessment however the assessment concluded that so far such service is not required. Table 1 Distributed humanitarian aid from the emergency stocks of the Red Cross Society of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia1

Food Hygiene Rubber boots No. Flooded region Blankets Mattresses parcels parcels (pairs) 1 Strumica 20 20 60 2 Prilep 50 50 150 50 3 Radovish 22 22 66 4 Kumanovo 15 15 45 10 5 Shtip 40 40 120 30 90 6 Bitola 150 150 450 100 7 Kochani 30 30 90 100 Total 327 327 981 30 350

Table 2 Total distributed humanitarian aid from emergency stocks and donations by National Societies

Rubber Bottled Flooded Food Hygiene Disinfectants No Blankets Mattresses boots water region parcels parcels (in liters) (pairs) (in liters) 1 Strumica 75 100 230 150 3,000 2 Prilep 110 110 220 50 180 22,000

1 To be replenished by this DREF. Page | 5

3 Radovish 22 22 66 4 Kumanovo 30 30 90 10 5 Shtip 90 120 380 30 90 360 30,000 6 Bitola 328 338 1,000 100 180 44,000 7 Kochani 60 85 145 100 108 44,000 Total 715 805 2,131 30 350 978 143,000

Needs analysis, beneficiary selection, risk assessment and scenario planning The Red Cross Society of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia deployed the national disaster response team over all flooded regions to assist the local staff and volunteers. During this period, the local branches were constantly and closely working with the local self-governments as well as the communities to better understand their needs. The rapid field assessment identified the following needs: - Emergency distribution of potable bottled water for the affected communities, until the public water supply systems are restored; - Emergency distribution of food and hygiene parcels to those affected by the disasters; - Distribution of non-food items such as rubber boots, blankets, disinfectants, etc.; - Providing additional assistance in terms of cleaning up the buildings after the water has receded. The main focus of the Red Cross Society of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia was on the most vulnerable people such as older people that live alone, families with low income, families with small children, families that have members with disabilities, as well as families with sick members in need of medical care. All of the gathered information is double-checked and cross-referenced with the assessments of the other institutions so the margin of error is very low. During the implementation of the operation there can be some variances in the numbers and in coordination with the IFRC Europe Zone Office, the Red Cross Society of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia will respond appropriately. Risk Assessment The risk of more floods is still present and the level of water is still high in the rivers and dams. The land is soaked with water. For the next days, the weather forecast is anticipating heavy rains which can last for several days. The National Society within its mandate and in coordination with the state institutions will continue to monitor the situation and will appropriately respond in case of a further escalation of the situation. During the operation, if the situation doesn’t further escalate, there shouldn’t be any significant risks although there are serious damages to the infrastructure which the state the institutions have already started to repair, wherever possible.

B. Operational strategy and plan Overall objective The needs of up to 935 families (3,750 people) in the areas affected by the floods are met with the assistance of the Red Cross through relief emergency distribution of food, hygiene and non-food items. Proposed strategy To accomplish the overall objective, the Red Cross staff and volunteers have been focusing on the provision of emergency food and non-food items and water and sanitation related services. The food and hygiene parcels, disinfectants and other relief items will be mostly distributed directly to the users. The local branches in cooperation with the local self-governments will prepare detailed lists of the recipients and will organize the distribution to the final users. The key activities for the operation are as follows: - Conducting detailed needs assessment, - Developing a registration system for the users, - Developing a detailed distribution plan and control of supply movement from dispatch to final users, Page | 6

- Distribution of food parcels (one-off distribution), - Distribution of hygiene parcels and disinfection kits (one-off distribution), - Distribution of other relief goods such as blankets, clothes etc. (one-off distribution), - Replenishment of national emergency stocks which have been used in the initial phase of the operation, - Monitoring and evaluation of the operation, - Conducting a “lessons learned” workshop and additional training for strengthening the capacities for logistics in disasters. The overall distribution will be done with the National Society`s three SUV vehicles in addition to one truck, one van and two minivans which will complete together a total of 24 distribution rounds of the different relief items for the affected families. Contents of a monthly family food parcel

No. Item Unit measures Quantity 1. Flour kg 10 2. Oil 1/1 lit lit. 4 3. Salt 1/1 kg 1 4. Crystal sugar 1/1 kg 1 5. Beans 1/1 kg 2 6. Rice 1/1 kg 2 7. Pasta pcs. 8 8. Instant soup sachets 12 9. Canned meal 150 gr pcs. 8 10. Canned fish 200 gr pcs. 8 11. Ready-to-eat meals 300gr pcs. 12 12. Tea box 2 13. Cardboard boxes-packaging with printed label piece 1

Contents of a monthly family hygiene parcel

No Item Unit measures Quantity 1. Washing powder 3/1 kg pcs. 1 2. Hair shampoo 1/1 lit pcs. 1 3. Toalet soap 200 gr pcs. 4 4. Toalet paper pcs. 4 5. Toothpaste pcs. 2 6. Toothbrush pcs. 4 7. Shaving foam pcs. 1 8. Disposable razor for shaving pcs. 5 9. Hygiene napkins pack 2 10. Dishwashing liquid 1/1 lit pcs. 1 11. Cardboard boxes-packaging with printed labels piece 1

Contents of a disinfection kit

No Item Unit measures Quantity 1. Plastic bucket pcs. 1 2. Disinfectant (in-kind donation) lit. 2 3. Rubber gloves pairs 1 4. Brush pcs 1 5. Rubber boots pair 1 6. Protective mask pcs 1 7. Protective glasses pcs 1

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Operational support services Human resources Some 300 volunteers and staff from MRC HQ and local branches have been involved in the operation. The volunteers will be insured against risks in accordance with IFRC standards. Logistics and supply chain The logistic department is ensuring the necessary flow of goods in the warehouses where during the whole operation Red Cross Society of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia expects to have enough space for storage for the locally procured goods, as well as packing and distribution to the final beneficiaries. Regarding the procurement, offers will be collected from at least three providers, and the process will be performed through the commission for procurement of Macedonian Red Cross. In the process of implementation of the two recent DREF operations it was concluded that appropriate logistics and warehouse management would be recommended for the branch staff of the Red Cross Society of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to ensure an efficient implementation of emergency operations on local level. Information technologies (IT) Since there isn’t any significant damage to the mobile and land-line phone network infrastructure, communication will be mostly handled through land phones and mobile phones. Communications The visibility of the Red Cross Society of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia will be ensured with proper media coverage in both national and local media and press conferences on different milestones. Transparency will be ensured by regularly published information to the traditional and social media about the current activities and the progress of the operation, including the amount of donations and aid received and distributed. Security In every step of the operation, the Red Cross Society of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia HQ will closely work with the authorities in order to have timely information and proper risk assessment of the field activities. The health and well-being of the staff and volunteers involved in the operation are per se a highest priority. Additionally, the team members are properly trained in first aid and possess proper equipment to intervene until the arrival of the ambulance. Planning, monitoring, evaluation, & reporting (PMER) The Red Cross Society of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia HQ is constantly monitoring the conducted activities by providing a round-the-clock support for the staff and volunteers from the branches. IFRC Europe Zone Office will monitor the implementation of activities. Brief weekly updates will be provided by the National Society to the IFRC on the general progress of the operation. The National Society recognizes the need to develop appropriate tools and to conduct a logistic/relief training for participants from 34 Red Cross local branches and the Red Cross Branch of Skopje City before the distribution of the relief items, which will enhance the competencies of the volunteers and staff on national and local levels. At the end of the operation, a two-day workshop is planned together with the authorities for a “lessons learned” workshop which will include participants from the flooded regions

 Click here 1. Click here to see the DREF operation budget 2. Click here to see the map of the affected areas 3. Click here to return to the title page

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Contact information For further information specifically related to this operation please contact:  Red Cross Society of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia:

 Dr Milco Trajkov, President

phone: + 389 2 3114 355; mobile: + 389 70 317 824; e-mail: [email protected]

 Sait Saiti, PhD, Secretary General

phone: + 389 2 3114 355, mobile: + 389 72 214 554; e-mail:[email protected]

 Ali Samet, DM Coordinator

phone: +389 2 3 114-355/lok.127; mobile: +389 71 223-894; e-mail [email protected]

 IFRC Europe Zone Office:

 Mette Petersen, Head of Country Cluster

phone: +36 1 888 4500; email: [email protected]

 Alberto Monguzzi, Disaster Management Coordinator

phone: +36 1 888 4500; email: [email protected]

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C. DETAILED OPERATIONAL PLAN

Quality programming / Areas common to all sectors

Outcome 1: Continuous and detailed assessment and analysis is used to inform the design and implementation of the operation. Output 1.1 Initial and continuous needs assessment are updated following consultation with beneficiaries Activities planned Week 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Conduct initial assessments in the affected areas Conduct detailed assessment Mobilize volunteers for the implementation of activities Monitoring visits by MRC Outcome 2: National Society capacities are built Output 2.1 National Society capacities are built through a lessons learned workshop Activities planned Week 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Conducting a 2 day lessons learned workshop Output 2.2 National Society capacities are built through conducted logistic/relief training Activities planned Week 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Translating the IFRC manual into Macedonian and Albanian on logistic/relief training Conducting a 2-day logistic/relief training

Water, sanitation and hygiene promotion

Outcome 1: The risk of water and sanitation related diseases has been reduced through provision of appropriate sanitation and hygiene items and disinfection kits Output 1.1 Distributing hygiene parcels and disinfection kits for 935 families for one month Activities planned Week 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Conducting detailed assessment and identifying needs Procurement and packing of relief items Development of distribution plan Distribution of relief items Monitoring

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Food security, nutrition and livelihoods

Outcome 1: Emergency food needs of the affected population are met Output 1.1 Emergency food needs of 935 affected families are met through the distribution of monthly food parcels Activities planned Week 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Conducting detailed assessment and identifying needs Procurement and packing of relief items Developed distribution plan Distribution of relief items Monitoring

DREF OPERATION 10/02/2015 Macedonia Floods 2015

Budget Group DREF Grant Budget CHF

Shelter - Relief Shelter - Transitional Construction - Housing Construction - Facilities Construction - Materials Clothing & Textiles 45,410 Food 48,850 Seeds & Plants Water, Sanitation & Hygiene 28,050 Medical & First Aid Teaching Materials Ustensils & Tools Other Supplies & Services Emergency Response Units 2,640 Cash Disbursments Total RELIEF ITEMS, CONSTRUCTION AND SUPPLIES 124,950

Land & Buildings Vehicles Purchase Computer & Telecom Equipment Office/Household Furniture & Equipment Medical Equipment Other Machiney & Equipment Total LAND, VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT 0

Storage, Warehousing Dsitribution & Monitoring 7,792 Transport & Vehicle Costs 15,315 Logistics Services 5,356 Total LOGISTICS, TRANSPORT AND STORAGE 28,463

International Staff National Staff National Society Staff 2,400 Volunteers 450 Total PERSONNEL 2,850

Consultants Professional Fees Total CONSULTANTS & PROFESSIONAL FEES 0

Workshops & Training 9,450 Total WORKSHOP & TRAINING 9,450

Travel Information & Public Relations Office Costs 1,600 Communications 960 Financial Charges Other General Expenses Shared Support Services Total GENERAL EXPENDITURES 2,560

Programme and Supplementary Services Recovery 10,938 Total INDIRECT COSTS 10,938

TOTAL BUDGET 179,211

DREF Operation V2011.07 MDRMK004 FL-2015-000012-MKD 12 February 2015 Macedonia: Floods

Serbiia Bullgariia

30 families assisted in Kumanovo 19 families assisted Skopje \!in Gazi Baba

4 families 39 families 23 families assisted assisted in Cheshinovo assisted in Sveti Nikole in Obleshevo

56 families assisted in Karbintsi Macedonia, The Macedonia, The 24 families assisted 5 families Former Yugosllav in Shtip assisted in Radovish Republliic of

15 families 85 families assisted 70 families assisted in Konche assisted in Kichevo 30 families in Bosilovo assisted in Strumitsa

50 families 30 families assisted in Prilep assisted in Krivogashtani

324 families assisted in Mogila

5 families 126 families assisted assisted in Novatsi in Bitola

Greece

0 10 20 km Allbaniia The maps used do not imply the expression of any opinion on the part of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies or National Societies concerning the legal status of a territory or of its authorities. Map data sources: ESRI, DEVINFO, International Federation - MDRMK004.mxd - Map created by DCM/GVA I!

Number of assisted families < 15 16 - 30

31 - 60 61 - 100

>100