EHA, WCO, Situation Report: 1 FOR INT 6 May 2012

Emergency and Humanitarian Action (EHA) Unit Country Office for Nepal, World Health Organization (WHO)

Avalanche and floods in Seti River, , Nepal

Highlights

1. On the morning of 05 May, 2012, an avalanche in the Mountains caused floods in the Seti river, Kaski district in Nepal. 2. 17 people have been reported to be killed and more than 47 persons are missing including 3 Russian tourists. 3. 14 houses have completely washed away by the flood in Tatopani and Machhapuchhre Village Development Committee. (VDC) 4. Drinking water supply system to the city has been damaged. 5. Government send emergency rescue, relief and response teams to the disaster sites, open command post and provided emergency supplies to the affected communities. 6. WHO Surveillance Medical Officers (SMOs) stationed at Pokhara is supporting DPHO’s ongoing efforts in responding to the emergencies and representing WHO at the district level meetings.

Incident site mapping

Caption: Local people gather to watch the rising waters of the River Seti in Yamdi village of Kaski district, about 200 kilometers west of capital Katmandu, Nepal. A flooded mountain river has swept away dozens of people along with their houses, farms and cattle. Source: http://www.todayonline.com

Response

Government Response

 The National Emergency Operation Centre (NOEC) is operational at the central level and the Government of Nepal (GON) immediately sent a helicopter to the affected area.  The Chief District Officer (CDO) in Kaski district, the Nepal Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, (NRCS) and other partners have been rescuing affected individuals in the Tatopani area of Tarki VDC, Kaski district (about 40 km from Pokhara).  The Prime Minister along with other leaders visited the affected sites and announced relief packages to the affected communities.  District Disaster Relief Committee (DDRC) visited the affected sites along with the humanitarian partners for a preliminary assessment.  The DDRC agreed to form a formal Government Assessment Team comprised of various agencies including NRCS, District Development Committee (DDC), District Administrative Office (DAO), Security Forces, and other humanitarian partners.  The Inter Agency Standing Committee (IASC) cluster approach has been activated at the district level by the DDRC and the DDRC is liaising with the cluster partners through United Nations Field Coordination Office.

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Health Sector Response

 The MOHP at the central, the Regional Health Directorate (RHD) at the regional, and the District Public Health Office (DPHO) at the district level are providing free health care services to the affected communities.  The NRCS is providing first-aid and referral services.

WHO’s Response

 WHO is coordinating with the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division (EDCD) of the MOHP, RHD, and DPHO for immediate response, and offered assistance.  WHO as the IASC Cluster Lead Agency (CLA) for is coordinating with the UNOCHA at the central level and other CLA especially WASH cluster.  WHO Emergency and Humanitarian Action (EHA) team joined the IASC operational meeting held on 6 May 2012, organized by UNOCHA and it is agreed that the cluster members will support the GON’s ongoing efforts on initial rapid assessments.  Surveillance Medical Officer (SMO) of Immunization Preventable Diseases (IPD) based in Pokhara representing WHO at the regional and district level coordination meetings.  NPO EHA will be joining the health cluster coordination meeting to be held in Pokhara, along with the IPD SMO.  Who will support EDCD and the DPHO, MoH to activate Early Warning and Rapid Response System (EWARS) to prevent and control potential water born disease outbreaks..

Immediate Needs  Rectify the drinking water supply system in the affected sites and in Pokhara city.  Management of dead and missing persons.  To activate early EWARS to prevent and control potential outbreaks of water born diseases in the affected areas.

WHO Contact Person Dr Arun K Mallik IASC Helath Cluster Coordnator & Technical Officer - Emergency Preparedness WHO Nepal Tel: +977 1 5523200 Fax: +977 1 5527756 Mob: +977 9801010010 Email: [email protected]

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