Briefing Package - Flash Floods Comoros
Briefing Package Event: Flash Floods Location: Comoros Prepared by: ACAPS Date: 2012/04/28
Due to the scarcity of publically available reports on the impact of the current floods, this document is mainly based on pre-disaster secondary data and provides a snapshot of relevant information as of the 28 of April 2012. Needs analysis should be undertaken at the field level as more in crisis information becomes available and comparison with pre-disaster information becomes feasible.
Disaster overview
Since 20 April 2012, the whole territory of the Union of Comoros has been hit by torrential rains which caused heavy floods as well as landslides and rockslides. The president of the national assembly has appealed to the international community and partners for support (GoC 2012/04/26). Regions of Hambu, Bambao, Mbadjini-East, and Dimani (in Great Comores), Domoni, Sima (in Anjouan) and all regions of Mohéli have been affected (GoC 2012/04/26). In Anjouan, the heavy rains affected only infrastructures (Malango Actualités 27/04). The Government declared the Key priorities three main islands as disaster zones (GoC 2012/04/26). The main regions affected are: Bambao, Hambou, Initial assessments reported that around 46,000 were Mbadjini Est (east) on Grande-Comores Island; Sima affected and 9,200 people were left homeless and Domoni on Anjouan Island and Nioumachioi and (Malango Actualités 27/04). 9.388 households were Hoani on the autonomous Island of Mohéli. identified as affected. The table below summarized Priority groups are population displaced to relocation the collected figures (UN Flash flood sitrep centres or hosted by relatives, as well as (non- 2012/04/28). Location of the affected population was displaced) affected population. not specified: Sectors requiring immediate assistance are Water
Sanitation, Hygiene, food, shelter, education and Affected group Number communications. Total affected population 46,139 Number of person without shelter 9,228 Priority interventions Women 23,116 Assessing needs in affected communities and of the Pregnant women 2,307 < 5 years old 8,305 different affected groups (affected population, displaced people in host communities or in relocation Number of villages affected just keeps climbing (AFP, centres). 2012/04/26). The continuous rains may lead to more Providing health care and medical assistance to displacements and shelter needs (UN Flash flood injured people. To prevent the escalation of cases of sitrep 2012/04/28). malaria, cholera and other transmissible diseases The Vouvouni village in the Bambao region is entirely among flood victims. To reduce the risk of vector flooded. The situation is extremely serious for its transmission, water-borne diseases, acute three thousand inhabitants (Sécurité civile respiratory illnesses and cases of measles among 2012/04/26). On Thursday evening Vouvouni was children in the affected areas. partly evacuated. After a first reception at Cosep, the Urgent rehabilitation of community infrastructure, majority of families have been hosted in the Itsandra water supply network and dwellings. and Bambao regions (Comores-droit, 27/04). One Providing temporary shelters for displaced hundred twenty seven boarding-students of the Ibn communities and support to host communities. Khaldoun orphanage in Vouvouni have been Improving logistic access to remote communities as evacuated in Bandamadji Itsandra (Sécurité civile well as restoring communications. 2012/04/26). Food, water and relief items distributions For both Affected people are currently staying in relocation displaced and non-displaced affected population and centres and some are living with their relatives (UN host families ( needs assessment based) Flash flood sitrep 2012/04/28). Providing electricity in communities were power was Due to lack of access, schools have been cut off and cut off. some pupils do not have access to education Temporary schools and recreational kits for affected facilities (UN Flash flood sitrep 2012/04/28). children.
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Briefing Package - Flash Floods Comoros
Constraints Very few information (1 UN sitrep, 2 newspaper stories and 2 government declarations) are available Humanitarian assistance efforts are hampered on the current crisis impact. because of road blockages. Landslides are reported in Anjouan (AFP, 2012/04/26). Information needs Access to remote villages and affected areas remain Basic mapping of affected areas should be provided extremely difficult: the roads are flooded or ASAP as well as figures (confirmed by local reports, inaccessible, telephone lines are cut off, and estimated or projected) of affected population electricity supply is affected. Communications to most A “Survey of survey” (mapping of ongoing and affected areas is currently not possible since planned assessment). Areas without report should be telephone lines have been affected (UN Flash flood mapped sitrep 2012/04/28). Available relief stocks Even in normal times, the absence and the bad Mapping of accessible and inaccessible areas (road conditions of roads and tracks penalise Comorian networks, dike, bridges, etc.) producers who cannot easily commercialise their Further assessments should focus on estimation of products (AFDB 2009). crop damaged and cattle/livestock loss Apart from lack of access to affected areas, there is Lessons learnt, assessment reports and experience no human capacity for response. There is a need for from the 2009 floods (or any other recent flood technical support in coordination, data collection and episode) should be gathered and analyzed to identify data management (UN Flash flood sitrep best practices. 2012/04/28). An assessment form from the 2007 Comoros contingency plan is attached to this document as well as On-going and planned needs assessments a rapid assessment form from Madagascar 2011. Adapt as necessary before to use. An initial rapid assessment was carried out by the National Government through the Directorate General of Civil Defence in collaboration with the UN Demographic profile UNDP 2010 System and the Comoran Red Crescent. UNICEF, WFP and OCHA Regional Office for The islands are divided into Southern Africa are deploying staff to Comoros to prefectures. Anjouan has 5, conduct further assessment to affected areas to Grande Comore 8 and support the Resident Coordinator. Mohéli 3 (UNDP 2010). The total population is esti- mated at 737.000 in- Information gaps and needs habitants in 2012 (ac- cording to projections Most recent representative survey for Comoros is the based on data from RGPH 2004 “Enquete integrée des ménages”. Last 2003). It is changing relati- Demographic and Health survey is from 1996, last vely rapidly with an average MICS from 2000, last census from 2003. To annual growth rate of 2.1%. summarize, there is no current reliable baseline The average density is 269 information in Comoros. Any “denominator” should be inhabitants/ km ², but varies used with cautious and any estimate should be significantly from one island justified. to another and within the There is no recent detailed survey report presenting islands. This density is par- household level livelihood information. ticularly high in Anjouan There is a lack of digital cartographic and geo-spatial thus creating problems with data, which limits the ability to graphically view and socio-economic conse- analyse affected areas and vulnerability. quences (severe pressure As mentioned by the UNDAC preparedness mission on natural resources, forest in 2010, there is limited availability of recent statistical degradation,etc..) (US Census 2012, UNDP 2010). information. The deteriorating trend of morbidity and No population figures were available at the prefecture mortality rate indicators should be considered in level. relation to the overall degradation of the health The population is very young with 53% of it is under situation on the islands of Comoros (UNDAC 2010). 20 years. Women of childbearing age represent The role of remittances in response to emergencies, 23.6% of the population. Of these women nearly half and not solely as a livelihood strategy, should be (49.9%) are married. However, the divorce rate further explored. among women is not negligible (7.6%). The No recent nutritional data is available for children <5. proportion of married men is estimated at 46%. The average age at first marriage (30 years for men) and (24 years for women) varies from one island to
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Briefing Package - Flash Floods Comoros
another: Grand Comore men marry a bit later (31 Comoros lessons learned years) compared to Anjouan and Mohéli (28 years). Polygamy, an important aspect in terms of family During 2009 Floods, the emergency needs of the cohesion, is not observed in the same way in all three population fall into three categories, namely: (i) islands: the rate of polygamy in Anjouan (22%) is essential goods; (ii) health, hygiene and sanitation; higher that of Grand Comore (19%) and Mohéli and (iii) urgent rehabilitation of community (14%) (UNDP 2010). infrastructure and dwellings. Most of the affected The total fertility rate is estimated at 5.3 children per areas were in poor rural districts. Furthermore, the woman. Life expectancy at birth is 65.5 years with violence and continued bad weather have caused 64.3 years for males and 66.9 years for women serious disruptions to basic communication facilities (UNDP 2010). such as major roads and bridges, making access difficult. The Government has also reported a sharp Coordination structure (Response plan rise in vector transmitted water-borne diseases, 2010) cholera, malaria, acute respiratory illnesses and cases of measles among children in the affected The Union of Comoros has a national response plan. areas (ADB 2009). The latest known dates from 2010. Earlier versions of UNDAC has undertaken a preparedness mission in 2008 and 2007 include additional details and should be Comoros in 2010. consulted. National lessons learnt from the 2007/8 flood and cyclone response in the region indicate that floods The coordination system in place in the Comoros is resulted in loss of livelihoods, decreasing food unique in its composition for all situations or disasters supplies and infrastructural damage, ultimately event of national importance. reducing social and economic development of the At National level, coordination is made in the initial country (SADC Report on Regional Training phase, by: Workshop 2008). The Minister responsible for supervision of the In the southwestern Indian Ocean climatic changes affected area as Chairman of coordination. will likely result in greater cyclonic phenomena. Small The Chief of Staff or his representative islands are often more vulnerable to these situations The Director of Emergency Operations Center where human and material losses can be high. In and Civil Protection (COSEP) 2004, cyclone Gafilo crossed Madagascar, about The technical manager of the sector concerned 500km southeast of the Comoros. The damage in A representative of the Presidency of the Mayotte was mainly agricultural while Anjouan Republic counted one victim and the destruction of almost all A representative of the Islands infrastructures on the waterfront of Mirontsy (roads, A representative of the national media gas stations, electric network,..) and the northern However, the evolution and speed of the situation or area of Mutsamudu, cutting the city in two for several events make that in practice it is the Minister, the months (Vertigo 2010). Chief of Staff, the Director of COSEP and the Despite the recurrence of volcanic and Technical manager who meet. This committee meteorological hazards, as well as epidemic cholera decides based on information from the COSEP and and malaria, prevention activities remain very modest or sector, on the evolving situation. (French Red Cross 2010). Given their vulnerability to During the implementation of the contingency plan, the volcanic threat, the communities on the island of the lead is provided by the Defense Minister in Grande Comore suffer increasingly disastrous charge of National Security of the Territory or the consequences of lava flows and ash fallout from the authority acting. Karthala volcano. It is therefore imperative that the The Strategic Co-ordination Centre will be housed at public is aware and prepared to deal with natural the Office of the Minister of Defence and National disasters to reduce their impacts (UNDP-DIPECHO Territorial Security. The Operations Centre will be Regional Initiative Enhancing Knowledge 2009). located at the COSEP. It is important to educate all segments of the In the autonomous islands, the interior ministries are population, including the integration of gender issues. responsible for activities related to preparation and And sometimes we must organize awareness response to emergencies. A coordination structure sessions separately for men and women according to similar to the National level is established to the villages, because they do not want to meet at the implement the tasks and responsibilities at the island same time (UNDP-DIPECHO Regional Initiative level. An organizational chart defines the roles and Enhancing Knowledge 2009). responsibilities.
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Briefing Package - Flash Floods Comoros
Livelihood and food security profile 25 years of the young nation's life also deterred investors and hampered development (RPP 2012). Main findings (WFP 2006) During the last couple of years, the country has had Food security in the Comoros is largely an issue of an estimated economic growth rate of 2%. This does access. Secondary data sources indicate problems of not compensate the population growth rate that is chronic and current food insecurity and confirm that estimated to be 2.1% (PNUD 2012). food is generally available on the island year round, The country's economy is very much dominated by even in the more remote areas. 14% (50,000 agriculture, which involves more than 70% of the individuals) of the agricultural population in 2006 eats population and accounts for 41% of the gross only one meal a day and 67% (240,000 individuals) domestic product. The Comorians basically practise eats two or fewer meals. Nutrition indicators are also subsistence agriculture and their income comes negative; more than 40% of the children are stunted mainly from three cash crops: ylang-ylang of which and 8% are wasted. 43% of all infant deaths are they are the world's chief exporter, vanilla and cloves. related to malnutrition. This chronically food insecure Income from these crops has, however, declined in group forms the majority of the population. recent years as prices on the international market Anjouan: By all measures this island is the most have fallen. Lastly, despite significant food crop food insecure and contains the most vulnerable production, only 60 per cent of the people's needs households. The reliance on fishing (a livelihood are met, obliging the Government to import large activity strongly correlated with household poverty), in quantities of foodstuffs and contributing to a severe conjunction with limited and overexploited agricultural nutritional imbalance among the rural poor (RPP land creates a situation in which many households 2012). are unable to meet their basic needs. As a result the Apart from the agricultural sector, the Comorian island is experiencing out-migration. Food insecure economy depends basically on commercial activities areas (based on consumption) are Nioumakélé and connected with importing and services. The cost of Mutsamudu while the most vulnerable (using a inter-Island and international transport, geographical poverty proxy) are Mramani, Domoni and Moya. isolation and the restricted size of the domestic Grande Comore: Current indicators show that the market are all handicaps for development of the largest island is ranked between the other two in economy. The tourism industry is still a hope for terms of food security. The island has more many Comorians, especially on Mohéli, where developed infrastructure than the others and is the protection of the land and sea environment severely recipient of larger amounts of remittances. There is restricts agricultural and fishing activities (RPP 2012). also a greater dependence on livestock production In 2009, Comoros' exports were composed of 72.7% than on the other islands. Food insecure areas of food, live animals, beverages and tobacco. In (based on consumption) are Fombouni, Mitsamiouli, 2009, Comoros' imports were composed of 36.4% of Dembeni, and Moroni while the most vulnerable food, live animals, beverages and tobacco, 24.7% of (using a poverty proxy) is Dimani. manufactured goods classified chiefly by material and Mohéli: Mohéli is the least food insecure of the 24.3% of machinery and transport equipment islands. Consequently, it may be the most vulnerable (Comtrade 2009) to food insecurity. Food consumption is better on Debt servicing is, however, still an obstacle to Mohéli and large numbers of people from other development. The net value of the national debt is islands are beginning to move there in search of almost 72% of the gross domestic product and arable land and less congested fishing areas. This is represents 573% of the country's export earnings. beginning to put a strain on the environment. The This percentage is much higher than the threshold of food insecure area (based on consumption) is 150% established by the World Bank's Heavily Fomboni with the most vulnerable areas (using a Indebted Poor Countries Debt Relief Initiative, and poverty proxy) are Nioumachoua and Wanani. the completion point will certainly not be reached Institutional support for vulnerable Comorian before mid-2007 (RPP 2012). communities, whether by national or international agencies, is largely absent. People in the rural zone Employment feel that they have been largely abandoned to their A large share of the population is economic inactive, fate while trend analysis supports this view. As time this group consists of: children aged under 10 progresses, acute food crises may become more (29.1%), adolescents between 10 and 14 (13.6%) frequent and severe. However, of greater concern and those aged 65 or older (5%). If these figures are are the chronically food insecure whereby rural and set off against the work population of people between (to a lesser extent) urban poor are often unable to 15 and 65 (52.2%), a high economic dependency acquire food of acceptable quality and quantity. rate is found (ADF 2009). Female economic dependency is high compared to Economy that of men. Women comprise 50.4% of the overall The Comoros suffer from the isolation of their population and 17.9% is economically active. This territory, the restricted size of their domestic market rate is 32.8% for men. While women heading a and the high costs of inter-island and international household support on average 3.9 inactive persons transport. The political instability that marked the first and men 3.4. Hence, there is a contradiction between the limited resources of Comorian women and the
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Briefing Package - Flash Floods Comoros
relatively higher burden they bear. The average proportion is higher in rural areas and among farm household size is 5.9, with 6.1 in rural areas against families. Poverty exists nationwide but disparities 5.4 in urban areas. The single female-headed exist among the three islands: Anjouan is the worst households constitute 40.2% of the total, against off, with an estimated 61% of households under the 2.8% for households headed by one man only. This poverty line. The proportions in Mohéli (56%) and rate of single female-headed households is even Grande Comore (34%) are lower but still of concern. more accentuated in Anjouan, where it is 51.8%. The number of meals consumed per day is a key These numbers for women reflect the acuity of indicator of food insecurity. On average, about 14% gender issues, and its interrelationship with the of households consumed one meal per day, with poverty situation in the Comoros, despite women’s highest levels recorded in Anjouan (16%) and Grand seemingly favourable position on paper (lower Comore (12%) (WFP 2006). poverty incidence rates and a higher income of remittances) (ADF 2009). Prices The combination of high food price levels created by Poverty the 2008-09 international food crisis and a decline in The country has long been at the bottom of the remittances as a result of the international economic economic world, but recent calm years allowed slowdown have substantially increased economic recovery. It is still among the poorest vulnerabilities for the livelihood of an already countries of the world, but remittances from struggling population. The prices of rice, vegetable oil emigrants and the great solidarity of the Comorians and meat have increased by over 50% in 2008 while have kept the inhabitants from extreme poverty. those of dairy products (mostly dried milk) have Thus, while 45 per cent of Comorian households doubled. Since then, prices have stabilized although were poor in 1997, and the figure was 53 per cent in they remain high which is leading segments of the 1995, it had fallen to 37 per cent in 2004 (IFAD population to deplete their limited assets (WB 2009). 2007). The root causes of poverty are: (i) the political, Livelihood systems (WFP 2006) institutional, economic and environmental crisis There are four principal activities households pursue experienced by the country over the last ten years, to meet their needs; agriculture (farming of staple and (ii) the high income inequality (iii) the weakness of the cash crops and livestock), fishing, petty trade, and public and private investment (only 10% of GDP) and emigration/remittances. Many households pursue a thus employment in the modern sector, (v) the low combination of these strategies. diversification of the economy that makes the country Primary staple crops include bananas, cassava, taro, particularly vulnerable to external shocks and the and sweet potato. The agricultural sub-sector (staple survival of a subsistence agriculture, which employs crops) contributes around 80% of agricultural the vast majority of the rural population on land in the production value, against only 12 to 21% for process of rapid degradation (PNUD 2012). exportable cash crops. There are significant disparities between the islands: Livestock production is a small-scale activity with Anjouan Island is the poorest of the archipelago with very few commercial producers. Most livestock 38.4% of poor households, but also one where production is a complementary activity of farming poverty has declined the most in recent years. households. The number of professional fishermen is Grande Comore has remained relatively stable at estimated at 8,500 and the number of people 35.3% of poor households and 37.8% in Mohéli. employed in the industry is estimated at 24,000 - Poverty is higher in rural areas: 41.1% of the rural about 6% of the working aged population. Petty trade people are poor and 79% of the poor live in rural and micro-business are important livelihood areas (IFAD 2007). strategies for many households. Overall this sector Society of Grande Comore is a traditionally contributes to 16% of the economy. It is especially matriarchal society of Islam and women occupy an important for women, as nearly half of the people unusual position: they inherit all the family land on active in this sector are women and it accounts for Grande Comore and some land in the other two 20% of all female employment. Finally, the islands, and houses belong to them. Consequently, importance of remittances cannot be households headed by men are poorer than those overemphasized. An estimated 20-25% of the headed by women. In addition, women are more Comorian population lives overseas. These émigrés likely to get a micro credit through their traditional maintain strong ties with the population back home savings and their better reimbursement rates. and contribute US $36 million dollars in cash However, women face many difficulties in transfers and US $15 to $20 million in goods each employment. Women often work in precarious jobs, year. their share of the wage is much lower and most of A crop calendar is available page 17 of this their jobs are in agriculture, on family plots (IFAD document. 2007). In 2006, the WFP Comprehensive Food security and vulnerability analysis indicated that poverty is widespread and growing, with more than 54% of population living under the poverty line. This
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Briefing Package - Flash Floods Comoros
Vulnerability and vulnerable groups (WFP 2006) The third generation is estimated to represent Households vulnerable to transitory food insecurity between 60 and 70% of the Diaspora population. are those exposed to periodic shocks, including This has significant ramifications for the home flooding, environmental degradation and volcanic populations as cultures, religion, and other ties activity; Livelihoods most at risk are agriculture and gradually grow distant it is likely that remittances will fishing. Other households in this group, including decline as familial obligations are diminished. agricultural and fishing families, experience annual Nevertheless, the dream of most families is to have a ‘lean’ seasons and reduce consumption or purchase member living overseas food on credit to cope. Remittances from Comorians abroad, mainly in A second group is comprised of households whose France, Mayotte and Réunion, have allowed ‘normal’ livelihood systems almost never provide food consumption and savings expenditure to be in adequate quantity and diversity. These are maintained, especially on Njazidja and Nzwani, and households who are currently and chronically food play an important economic role (RPP 2012). insecure. In addition, due to the negative trends in vulnerability indicators (e.g. import and export prices, Current crisis impact environmental degradation, and informal safety net Initial assessment indicated that there are food breakdowns), households and groups that were rations available for the current identified affected traditionally vulnerable to transitory food insecurity population (9,388 households) for 30 days (Flash are increasingly vulnerable to chronic food insecurity. flood sitrep 2012/04/28). These are households whose coping strategies have The government has distributed some cold meals, been stretched beyond their means and are unable to but the problem is a lack of access to the affected recover following a shock event. areas: the roads are flooded or inaccessible and Households tend to cope with chronic food insecurity telephone lines are down (Flash flood sitrep through emigration and a weakening social support 2012/04/28). network, and trends are not promising for the future. It is probable that the number of affected population Other coping strategies include reduced food will rise in the coming days as rainfall continues and consumption and changes in dietary consumption. as more areas become accessible.
Diaspora (WFP 2006) Following independence large numbers of Comorians WASH began emigrating which resulted in what is known as the Diaspora. Currently an estimated 20-25% of the Water Availability Comorian population lives overseas translating into 95% of the population had access to improved 150,000 to 200,000 individuals. Three trends have drinking water sources in 2010, of which 30% is been noted regarding migration: water piped into premises (WHO JMP 2012). Urban/rural share is 91% to 97% (UNICEF 2012). 1. Internal migration from Grand Comore and Most likely, this high estimates include captured Anjouan to Mohéli and from Anjouan to Grand rainwater as a clean source of water. Nevertheless, Comore: mostly due to search for land resources an increasing number of households have access to or employment. The strongest trend currently is potable water and many are becoming linked to from Anjouan to Mohéli. municipal water systems (WFP 2006). 2. Regional migration to Madagascar and East Africa Notwithstanding the high levels of rainfall, drinking (mostly from Grand Comore; less so from water availability has proved problematic. Mohéli is Anjouan); to Mayotte (mostly from Anjouan); and the best supplied with running water and Anjouan 3. Long-distance migration mostly from Grand has running water that flows from the central Comore to the French cities of: Marseille, Paris, mountain peak, though it lacks running water on any Toulon, Dunkerque (ACTIV 2005). of the three peninsulas. Grande Comore does not have any perennial surface water sources. The majority lives in France or Mayotte. These Comorians without access to running water are émigrés maintain strong ties with the population back dependent on catchment tanks and cisterns to meet home and contribute US $36 million in cash transfers their consumptions needs (WFP 2006). and US $15 to $20 million in goods each year (Cruz, Most households dependent on cisterns and rain Fengler et al. 2004). The Diaspora population can be catchments to cover their consumption needs are divided into three generations: exposed to health risks. These water sources are largely open and unprotected and are prime 1. The first generation consists of those who mosquito breeding grounds, thus implicated high migrated in the first decade after independence; rates of malarial infection. They are also easily 2. The second generation is comprised of individuals contaminated and contribute to the spread of who were brought over at a young age and were diarrhoea (WFP 2006). Repeated eruptions of Grand educated abroad; Comore Island’s Mount Karthala have polluted the 3. The third generation is made up of those who islands’ rainwater-gathering cisterns with ash were born and educated abroad. (UNICEF).
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To mitigate the lack of continued drinking water The Government with the support of UNICEF is supply in some regions, households and planning to distribute chlorine to affected villages. communities have invested in a number of individual An emergency WASH specialist from UNICEF is and communal cisterns/water tanks. The population also scheduled to arrive in the country early next has organized access in a formal manner, village week (UN Flash flood sitrep 2012/04/28). per village, to ensure the continued water supply Restoring the water supply by rehabilitating borehole and therefore exploit the existing water reserves and provide safe drinking water to families affected (AFD 2012). and evacuating water out of the Greater Moroni are The available potable water is often of bad quality the priorities now (UN Flash flood sitrep and in the majority of cases not suitable for 2012/04/28). consumption (due to the lack of water treatment, pollution by agents due to leaks in the water supply system, lack of infrastructures for wastewater treatment and solid waste management). This leads to an increased vulnerability of the population at risk Health and nutrition of morbidity and mortality. There is no established system to control and monitor the water quality Health Coverage except for the capital Moroni (AFD 2012). Only 14% of the population has adequate access to The traditional role of women in fetching water and primary health care. This percentage is lowest in caring for sick people make them the main victim of Anjouan where it drops to 10%. Main constraints are this situation. The problem of water supply (water lack of health care agents and accessible health cut, insufficient supply, insufficient flow) mean that care facilities. Costs of consultations and of women and girls lose about 2h30 a day to collect medicine also limit the extent of medical care. A water to the detriment of productive activities and large contributor to the poor health situation is lack schooling (AFDB 2009). of access to potable water (WFP 2006). The network of health facilities includes a set of Sanitation and Hygiene national and regional hospitals. Grand Comore and In 2010, population using improved sanitation Anjouan are each divided into seven sanitary facilities is 36%, urban/rural share is 50% and 30% districts, while Mohéli is divided into three. Three WHO 2012, UNICEF 2012) urban medical centres are found on each island. The poor sanitation conditions are in many cases Military health facilities and CARITAS dispensaries the origin for the outbreak of epidemics such as are also distributed around the islands (WFP 2006). cholera, typhus, diphtheria and infectious / Physicians number only 1.5 per 10,000 habitants communicable diseases, which are the major cause compared to 2.3 regionally (WHO 2012). of mortality in the Comoros today (AFD 2012). The use of health services is limited by two main Sanitation, with regard to disposal of human waste, factors: poor quality of health infrastructure (mainly has been measured at acceptable levels. Overall, due to lack of funding) and badly trained staff, 85% of households had an adequate system, with including health structure and finance management urban households scoring better. Mohéli was rated (UNDAC 2010). slightly higher than the other two islands (WFP The health system in Comoros is characterised by a 2006). weak access to health centres, shortfall of means The lack of latrines at home presents security risks with frequent breakdown in medicine stocks, for women and girls during the night. The lack of weakness of qualified staff, limited training household waste management and hospital in every opportunities for the staff and gaps in surveillance community (even in the capital Moroni) exacerbates system for collecting, analysing and using health the unhealthy environment in the Comoros (AFDB data (AFDB 2009). 2009). Nearly three quarters of primary schools lack latrines Infant and child health or drinking water (UNICEF). The mortality rate for under 5 year olds was 86 per 1,000 live births in 2010 (UNICEF 2012). Current Crisis An integrated measles campaign with de-worming The families with access to running water were and Vitamin A supplementation reached at least advised to boil it before consuming it (GoC 84% of children under five in 2010 (UNICEF 2010). 2012/04/26). 70% of districts have a vaccination coverage rate There is no clean water on Grande Comore as the above 80% (UNICEF 2010). main water pump is flooded. Currently, affected In 2004, some 25 % of all children under the age of people do not have access to safe drinking water five are underweight, 44 % suffer from stunting and and are using rain water for domestic purposes. 8% from wasting (UNICEF 2010). There is a need to sensitize people on water treatment and provide water tanks to reduce the risk of water-borne-related diseases such as cholera (UN Flash flood sitrep 2012/04/28).
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were reported to have had a case of diarrhoea during a 2001 survey. This was much reduced from previous surveys but these figures can be influenced by seasonal and other factors. One study found that, Source Childinfo 2010 children in urban areas were more likely to experience diarrhoea than their rural counterparts (28% vs. 22%). Prevalence of diarrhoea was more common on Mohéli (31%) than on Anjouan (27%) or Grand Comore (18%) (WFP 2006). Malaria infection rates are high on all of the islands, particularly during certain seasons of the year. However, nationwide, only 40% of children reportedly sleep under a mosquito net, and only 30% use insecticide treated nets. This figure is considerably better in Mohéli and in urban areas. Clinical tests for malaria are not common in Comoros, but one study noted that 31% of children under five had experienced fever during the previous
two weeks (WFP 2006). Diarrhoea diseases are one of the main causes of Only 9% of <5s sleeps under insecticide treated nets mortality for children under five (UNDAC 2010). in 2009 (UNICEF 2012). Pneumonia (18%) and diarrhea (17%) are the two Cholera is endemic to the Comoros due to problems major causes of death for under 5s (WHO 2012). of water supply and inadequate access of Only 31 % of <5s with diarrhea are receiving oral populations to drinking water, hygiene and rehydration and continued feeding. 56 % of <5s with sanitation. Frequent epidemics affecting the suspected pneumonia are taken to an appropriate population over the past ten years, including 2007. health-care provider. 63 % <5 with fever are Malaria is the leading cause of death and remains a receiving anti-malarial drugs (UNICEF 2012). public health problem of great magnitude in the Comoros. Resistance to Chloroquine and 25% of newborns have a low birth weight (Childinfo Pyrimethamine is high (UNDAC 2010). 2012). An epidemic of Chikungunya fever in the islands of In 2000, only 21% of infants (<6 months) were Southeast Indian Ocean has drawn attention to this exclusively breastfed (Childinfo 2012). virus (CHIKV) in 2005. The epidemic was most The prevalence of anemia among pre-school aged notable in urban and semi-urban areas of the children is 65% in 2008 (Childinfo 2012). Comoros (UNDAC 2010).
Typhoid fever is experiencing resurgence because Maternal health of the critical situation on access to safe water, The adjusted maternal mortality rate in 2009 is 340 hygiene and sanitation. The Comoros are subject to per 100,000 live births (UNICEF 2012, WHO 2012). seasonal influenza outbreaks or epidemics and have Neighbouring island Madagascar has a ratio of 440. been exposed to H1N1 during the 2009 pandemic (WHO, WB 2008). (UNDAC 2010). The birth rate at home was 65% in 2005. Contraceptive use rate was limited to 19.4% in 2000; Current Crisis non-declared abortion is reputed to be quite frequent The rains and access water has led to increase in (AFDB 2009). mosquito breeding sites, hence the need to
distribute insecticide treated mosquito nets, to Mortality and Morbidity evacuate the water out of the city, towns and The main health risks are (UNDAC 2010): villages. There is need to sensitize health services 1. Endemic and non-endemic transmittable diseases providers in affected districts on the need to rapidly and diseases transmitted by vectors. report cases of diarrhoea and fever to epidemiologic 2. Health risks linked to environmental and surveillance authorities (UN Flash flood sitrep technological hazards. 2012/04/28). 3. Secondary risks arising from the peripheral UNICEF is also airlifting health supplies from the underdeveloped health system. region and this is expected to be in Comoros early The sanitary conditions are causing (among other next week. A heath specialist is also scheduled to factors) the timely resurgence of cholera epidemics arrive in the country early next week (UN Flash flood (attack rate of 0.004% in 2007) and typhoid (attack sitrep 2012/04/28). rate of 0.003% in 2008), diphtheria, and infectious There is need to set up an advanced medical station and parasitic diseases are still the leading cause of in Singani (UN Flash flood sitrep 2012/04/28). death in the Comoros (child mortality rate of 66 ‰ in
2009, prevalence of diarrhoea among children under
5 years of 18.3 % in 2009).
Diarrhoea is generally linked to malnutrition indicators. More than 18% of children under five
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Briefing Package - Flash Floods Comoros
Country profile Socio-cultural characteristics Main indicators The descendants of Arab traders, Malay immigrants The total population of Comoros is estimated to be and African peoples contribute to the islands' 737.000 (US Census 2012). complex ethnic mix. The ethnic groups are: Life expectancy at birth is 58 for men and 62 for Antalote, Cafre, Makoa, Oimatsaha, women (WHO 2009). Sakalava (Minority Rights 2012, CIA 2012, BBC The urban/rural population share is 72% to 28% 2011). (WB 2010). Language: Comorian (Shikomoro), French, and Adult literacy rate is 72% (UNICEF 2012). Arabic are the three official languages (Minority Rights 2012). Comoros is considered to have low human development and ranks 163/187 on the Human Religion: the dominant religion is Muslim 98% and Development Index (UNDP 2011). there is a small Christian minority of 2% (Minority Rights 2012). Geography and Climate Education The country’s territory is 2,235 sq km and ranks 180th in the world in between Luxembourg and The net school enrolment for boys is 91% and 84% Mauritius (CIA 2012). for girls (UNICEF 2012). Comoros is an archipelago of three volcanic islands The latest data since 2000, shows a net secondary in the Mozambique Channel of the Indian Ocean school enrolment 10% for males and 11% for between Madagascar and the African mainland. females (UNICEF 2012). The climate in the area is tropical, with a long wet Means years of schooling in 2008 was 2.8 (UNDP season from December and June or July when 2011). 200‐250mm per month of rain falls. The wet season, Only 5.2% of the population is enrolled in tertiary with a precipitation of 50 to 100mm per month, lasts education (UNDP 2011). August and November. Average temperature is between 24-27 degrees (UNDP 02/2012). Governance The islands are mountainous; the highest point is There have been 21 coups and coup attempts since the Karthala Vulcano on Grande Comoros at Comoros declared independence from France in 2,361 m above sea level. The country is a highly July 1975. The 2001 Constitution was specifically densely populated country and 83% of the land is tailored to put an end to the cycles of violence. The agricultural land (WB 2009, FCO 2011, Minority Constitution provides for a semi-autonomous Rights 2012). government and president for each of the three On a scale of 1 to 7, with 1 indicating a severely islands, with a rotating presidency for the over- stressed water situation, Comoros is placed at 2, as arching Union government (WB 2012, UNHCR are e.g. South Arica, and India (UNEP 2008). 2009). In late 2010 Presidential elections were held, which Economy and Markets are considered to have been free and fair. In a Comoros is a low income country with a GDP of 750 smooth transfer of power, only the second time in USD as of 2010 (WB 2010). Comoros’s history that power has been transferred in a democratic fashion, Dr. Ikililou Dhoinine Labour participation rate for males is 80% as of assumed the Presidency on May 26, 2011 (WB 2010, for women this is 35% (WB 2010). 2012). Population living below the international poverty line Comoros ranks as a partly free country in Freedom of 1.25 USD a day: 46% in 2009 (UNICEF 2012). House’s Freedom Ranking, score: 3/7 (political Poverty is greatest in rural areas and among men- rights) and 4/7 (civil liberties) (Freedom House headed households. Comoros is a matriarchal 2012). society, and women traditionally inherit the land. However, the usufruct rights usually go to their World Press Freedom Index: 45/179, just above the United States of America and below South Korea husbands. Moreover, a larger part of women’s (RwB 2012). income share comes from remittances. There is thus a high dependency (IFAD 2012, AFDB 2009). Corruption Perceptions Index: 143/183, between Mauritania and Belarus (Transparency 2010). Comoros was granted debt relief under the IMF Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative in 2009 Although the freedoms of speech and of the press (AFDB 2009). are protected by the 2001 constitution, the Comoran government partially restricts these freedoms. In Economic growth remains very slim and reflects the practice, journalists are subject to harassment and country’s narrow productive base, high costs of harsh defamation laws, and self-censorship is inter-island and international transport and reportedly widespread (Freedom House 2011). dependence on a limited number of export crops (AFDB 2009, IFAD 2012). Although the internet is available and unrestricted by the government, poverty, illiteracy, and a poor The country has little natural resources and mainly telecommunications infrastructure limited access to exports spices, that are prone to price fluctuations 5.1% of the population in 2010 (Freedom House (BBC 2011). 2011).
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Briefing Package - Flash Floods Comoros
Hazard profile Tropical storms and cyclones – past events (Response plan 2007) Floods in 2009 affected 2,500 people and killed two. The floods damaged infrastructure, including roads, Année événement bridges, and water and sanitation systems (CRED 1950e Le plus important des cyclones tropicaux enregistrés 2012). 524 morts et 75 000 cocotiers déracinés. Bilan catastrophique sur Anjouan et Mohéli. Comoros is in an active volcanic region. The 1959 Cyclone tropicale sur la Grande Comore et Karthala volcano on the largest island is one of the particulièrement le nord de l’île. Naufrage du bateau largest volcano’s in activity in the world. Over the «NDJEMA » au port de Moroni, Mort du Commandant last two hundred years, it has developed an eruption du bateau. Connu sous le Nom du CYCLONE YAHE NDJEMA. every eleven years in average. The latest activity 1983 Cyclone Elinah – Anjouan à 11 heures le 11 Janvier, was four eruptions in between 2005 and 2007. The port de Mutsamudu ; 3 vagues successives d’une majority of the eruptions were magmatic, resulting in hauteur de 25 à 25 mètres ont balayé des gens qui se lava flow on both sides of the island (OCHA 2005, trouvaient au port, il y a eu 3 morts, 9 rescapés et 30 de disparus, 52 blessés, 5 000 personnes affectées, 805 UNDAC 2010). maisons et bâtiments affectés. The Comoros Islands lie in the path of Indian Ocean Sur les régions de MOYA, KONI, DJIMILIME et POMONI tropical cyclones and hurricanes, which occur 60% des cases ont été détruites. A Mutsamudu des vieilles maisons se sont écroulés. between January and April (UNDP 2011). Route SIMA – POMONI complètement endommagées. The country tops the UNISDR’s list of landslide risk, A Mohéli, 80% des cases sont détruites et 90% de with 2% of the population and 24% of the GDP l’agriculture endommagé soit 1,200 ha de terre cultivée et exposed (UNISDR 2012). 2100 ha de forêt. 4 000 familles soit environs 20 000 personnes affectées. Floods are caused by heavy rainfall on all islands, 1984 Cyclone KAMISY but due to different characteristics, the impact 1986 Tempête FELISKA differs. At Grand Comore, the overflow is exacerbated by the deposition of ash eruptions in 1987 Du 3 au 7 janvier, l’ensemble de l’archipel a subit de violents coups de vent, accompagnés et suivis de pluies 2005, while in Anjouan and Moheli the infiltration abondantes et de forts orages plusieurs dégâts ont été capacity of the soil is high. Deforestation associated enregistrés.24 personnes ont trouvé la mort. with population growth greatly increases the risk of 1990 Tempête HANTA landslides. Number of houses and public 1994 Cyclone NADIA, naufrage du boutre ZAZAKELI 2 infrastructure (bridges, roads, dams, schools or 1996 Tempête DOLORESSE, fortes pluies, glissements de health centers) are destroyed each year due to terrain, naufrage du boutre NIATI SWAFA 67 morts à weather, resulting in economic collapse of entire Mohéli industries. 1998 Fortes pluies (163 mm en 24hr) glissement de terrain Climate change causes high tides that flood the 1999 Fortes pluies, choléra lower (inhabited) parts of the coastline, destroying Déc 2002 Forte activité orageuse (zone de convergence roads and habitat, spreading waste in the intertropicale) crash LET UVP 9X-RRB faisant 2 morts et environment and contaminating wells. On Anjouan, 15 blessés the majority of the island is affected. On Moheli, Forte précipitations à caractères orageuses sur these areas are more limited (Region Ouallah to Avril l’ensemble de l’archipel, aucune perte en vie humaine, Hoani Mbatsé; Djoeizi region). On Grande Comore, 2003 mais les conséquences sur le plan matériel ont été almost all regions are vulnerable. dramatiques Because of different soil characteristics, only March Beginning in late March 2009, weeks of heavy rain caused 2009 widespread flooding in 41 villages on the islands of Grand Anjouan and Moheli are vulnerable to landslides Comoros, Anjouan, and Mohéli. According to the U.S. (UNDAC 2010). Embassy in Antananarivo, Madagascar, and the U.N. Though rare, cyclones sometimes leave their usual Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs trajectory and strike the coast of the archipelago that (OCHA), assessment data indicated that the floods affected more than 100,000 people, resulted in two is usually protected by Madagascar. On Grande deaths, and damaged infrastructure, including roads, Comore, the east of the island is most affected. bridges, and water and sanitation systems. However, it is possible that tropical storms hit the Most of the affected areas were in poor rural districts. Furthermore, the violence and continued bad weather west coast as well. The highlands are less affected have caused serious disruptions to basic communication by stroms. Tropical storms affect Anjouan entirely. facilities such as major roads and bridges, making access However, the East Zone and the Zone of difficult. The Government has also reported a sharp rise in Mutsamudu are especially vulnerable. Moheli is vector transmitted water-borne diseases, acute respiratory illnesses and cases of measles among children in the entirely affected by tropical weather hazards. affected areas. On April 29, OCHA noted concern regarding the potential spread of cholera and other waterborne diseases as a result of contaminated water supplies and overflowing latrines. In late April, the Government of the Union of the Comoros declared a disaster and requested international assistance (USAID, ADB 2009).
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Briefing Package - Flash Floods Comoros
Epidemics – past events (Response plan 2007)
Année Evènement 1930 et Deux épisodes d’épidémie de varioles ont décimé une 1940 grande partie de la population à Domoni-Anjouan. 1923 Epidémie de paludisme touche la Grande Comore dans la région de Bangoi-Kouni, environ 300 morts sur 1500 habitants, et Mitsamiouli, 450 morts sur 1950 habitants.
1925 Tous les villages de la Grande Comores sont atteints par le paludisme, la maladie devient endémique. 1951 et Une épidémie de pian atteint 47,000 personnes aux 1956 Comores (cumulatifs des 4 îles) dont 9,766 en 1956 seulement, soit 5% de la population.
1975 Le choléra fait 2.020 cas dont 474 décès. 1993 60,000 cas de Dengue (cas de paludisme) de janvier à juin sur Grande Comores. 1998- Epidémie de choléra (8 000 cas de choléra dont 84 1999 décès. 2001 – Epidémie de choléra : 164 cas de choléra dont 47 2002 décès. 2007 Epidémie de cholera : 846 cas de choléra dont 17 décès. 2007- 2012 Pas de données disponibles
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Briefing Package - Flash Floods Comoros
Source: Ministère du développement rural, 2006
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Briefing package - Flash Floods Comoros
Source: Ministère du développement rural, 2006
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Briefing package - Flash Floods Comoros
Source: Ministère du développement rural, 2006
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Briefing package - Flash Floods Comoros
Source: Ministère du développement rural, 2006
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Briefing package - Flash Floods Comoros Key indicators COMOROS
Indicateurs 2004 Comores Grande-Comore Anjouan Mohéli
Population totale 587749 302397 248850 36502 Taux de croissance 2,1% 2,0% 2,1% 3,3%
Proportion des hommes 49,6% 49,4% 49,6% 51,3%
Rapport hommes -femmes 98 98 99 105
Densité 309 258 575 123
Population de moins de 20 ans 53,0%
Population urbaine 30% 242 317 502
Population zone côtière 65%
Taux brut d’alphabétisation 56,5%
Population résidente à l’extérieur 35%
Espérance de vie à la naissance 56,5 ans
Population par médecin 7837
Taux de prévalence du paludisme 34,6%
Proportion d’enfants de moins de 5 ans 24,9% 13,2% 32,4% 23,1% accusant une insuffisance pondérale
Proportion d’enfants de moins de 5 ans 44,0% 44,2% 51,3% 32,3% accusant un retard de croissance Proportion d’enfants de moins de 5 ans 7,9% 4,8% 10,3% 5,1% accusant une émaciation
Proportion des ménages vivant dans un 10% 30 à 40 % 50 à 60% 25 à habitat précaire 30%
Seuil de pauvreté en Franc Comorien (par 285144 285144 217287 274725 tête et par an) Incidence de la pauvreté totale des 44,8% 42,7% 46,4% 49,1% individus Incidence de pauvreté totale des ménages 36,9% 35,3% 38,4% 37,8% Incidence pauvreté des individus en milieu 45,4% 52,1% 50,2% rural Incidence pauvreté des ménages en milieu 39,1% 43,5% 38,3% rural
Ratio emplois – pop. en âge de travailler 44,2%
Taux de chômage 13,5% 14,9% 12,1% 15,0%
Source : Commissariat Général au Plan, RGPH 2003 et Enquête intégrée des Ménages (EIM) 2004
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Briefing package - Flash Floods Comoros
Comoros Hazard and crop calendar (WFP 2006)
Activity or Factor J F M A M J J A S O N D
Climate
Rainy Season Dry Season Production of Staple Crops
Taro: Land preparation and planting Taro: Harvest Highest yields of cassava and banana Highest yields of coconut. Mango harvest Breadfruit harvest Production of Commercial Crops
Vanilla: Planting/germination Vanilla: harvest Illness
Period when illness (malaria mentioned) more prevalent. HH Expenditures
Contributions to marriage celebrations School fees and related costs Food Security
Food shortage (one meal per day) Food most abundant (at least two meals, variety, protein)
Team Notes: The family said that harvest of crops like cassava, banana and coconut is spread throughout the year. It was also noted that all crops are liable to be sold, for the purchase of rice, fish and other items.
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