Floods Report No.1 Page 1

Situation Report 1 – COSTA RICA FLOODS– 19 OCTOBER 2007

This report is based primarily on information provided by the National Emergency Commission (CNE) to the Resident Coordinator’s Office. Other sources include main newspapers, the National Meteorological Institute, as well and interviews with national counterparts.

General Situation: Extensive flooding - Province of Puntarenas: Parrita, Puntarenas 1. The North Pacific, Central Pacific and Central Extensive flooding - Province of Guanacaste: Valley regions of Costa Rica have suffered , Filadelfia, , , , La extensive flooding, landslides and blockages of Cruz roads, due to heavy rains since Monday, 8 October. The southern part of Central America is affected by Summary of the situation: (Source: CNE) two low pressure systems, and weather conditions Description Quantity / Degree are not expected to improve within the next few Persons dead / missing 18 days. Forecasts from the National Meteorological Temporary evacuation camps 29 Institute (IMN) show a high probability of a major Persons living in temporary camps 2108 tropical wave starting Monday 22 October. Precautionary measures are to be extended until Persons living with friends / relatives 675 mid-November. Population affected countrywide, different degrees 12,000 Crops for Local Markets ….Hectares 2. To date, 33 cantons (out of a total of 81) are on Crops for Export ….Hectares either Red or Yellow Alert. The CNE is leading the Affected Infrastructure co-ordination of response activities and chairs the - Communities 281 National Risk Management National System. - Houses completely destroyed 43 3. An Executive Emergency Decree was issued on - Houses with major damage 1552 18 October to accelerate the national response. - Sewage System 1 - Health Facilities No major infrastructural damages Impact: - Aqueduct (Urban) 3 Local 4. The following Cantons are severely affected: -Aqueduct (Rural) Assessments under way (Costa Rica is constituted by 7 provinces and 81 - Wells Assessments under way cantons): - Electric infrastructure 1 - Telecommunications Pending - Education infrastructure 9 Mudslides / Blockages - Province of San José: , , Aserrí, , , - Motorways (Interamericana Norte) 2 , Atenas - Roads 124 - Bridges 29 Province of Guanacaste – , Hojancha, Nandayure. - Dikes 3

Costa Rica Floods Report No.1 Page 2 Preliminary estimation of damages in different sectors 7. The CNE is coordinating the Emergency Operations Centre (COE), composed of: Fire fighters, Red Cross, Ministry of Public Security, 911 System, Description Amount (in Ministry of Health, Social Security System (CCSS), million colones) Social Assistance Institute (IMAS), Ministry of Education 18 Public Works, Aqueducts and Sewage (AyA), Health Pending Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Agriculture. This Committee was activated immediately after the Housing 388 onset of the floods. All Regional and Local Agriculture 150 Emergency Committees have been activated in the Livestock (Milk production) 50 affected areas.

Motorways – Roads – Bridges 6,000 million 8. Coordination mechanisms involving first Private sector Pending response institutions (fire fighters, Red Cross) are in Total 6,606 million place, namely in the regions of Parrita, Puntarenas, Caldera, Atenas, , Acosta, Desamparados, Cañas, Bebedero and Hojancha.

Sectoral Assessments under way (co-ordination by 9. Coordination of preventive evacuations is also the National Emergency Commission) taking place in the town of Filadelfia (Municipality of , Province of Guanacaste) and 500 blankets, 500 foam mattresses and 1,000 food kits to the town Agriculture / Livestock: by the Ministry of of Filadelfia have been delivered. Production 10. Initial aerial transport operations to isolated Health: by Ministry of Health, and Social Security villages have been interrupted due to the lack of Institute (CCSS) funds within the National Emergency Fund (FNE). Water and Sewage: by Institute of Aqueducts and Sewage 11. Drinking water has been provided to the Public Works: by Ministry of Public Works and Municipality of Santa Ana. Four water containers Transport were sent on October 14th, supplemented by drinking water systems of 1,000 liters each.

National Response: 12. The CNE-Operations established as a priority the delivery of 144 jerrycans (“pichingas”) to support 5. According to National Authorities, priority communities that do not have access to drinking relief activities focus on aerial transportation of water. humanitarian supplies to isolated villages and towns in 33 of the 81 municipalities of the country. Urgent 13. A national network has been created by the supplies include blankets and foam mattresses. CNE to coordinate response actions with several major private firms (Walmart Corporation) and media 6. Response activities are being mainly carried (Repretel & Monumental) for the supply and out on the Pacific Coast and central region, which are distribution of relief supplies to the isolated areas the areas most affected by the floods. (drinking water, cereals, etc).

Costa Rica Floods Report No.1 Page 3 14. Meetings with bilateral and multilateral 19. ACT members are currently carrying out a agencies were carried out to explore financial and needs assessment in the Nicoya region, especially in technical aid assistance. The UN has been requested the most severely affected districts of , El to provide 5,000 blankets, 1,000 collapsible Torito de , Ortega de Santa Cruz, Cañal de mattresses, 4 power saws, as well as financial support Nicoya, Matina de La de Maceo de Nicoya, to the costs of helicopter transport and educational and Ostional. ACT's disaster response is aimed at kits and materials for children in the affected areas. supporting some 1,000 families in the affected and poor communities. International Assistance :

15. A United Nations Emergency Technical Team This situation report together with further information (UNETT) group meeting was held on 18 October to on ongoing emergencies is also available on the exchange information on the emergency and work on OCHA Internet Website http://www.reliefweb.int/. a division of tasks and assess the UN agencies interventions.

16. The UN Resident Coordinator and UNETT th representatives met on Wednesday 17 October with CNE´s representatives in order to exchange information and receive briefings and a preliminary list of urgent requirements.

17. PAHO/WHO: A technical co-operation mission is underway, with staff from the Emergency and Disaster Programme (PED). The main objective of the mission is to strengthen information channels within the Health Sector (Ministry, Aqueducts and Sewage, Red Cross), provide support in the setting up of Situation Centre with updated info (follow-up on Health Services, Epidemiology, damage on the drinking water system) and assist the Ministry of Health and the Red Cross on Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (Municipalities in North and Central Pacific).

18. The Lutheran Church of Costa Rica (ILCO) and Lutheran World Service/Costa Rica (SLMCA) are supporting their partner organization FEDEAGUA, a local rural community-based organization, whose members have been severely affected by the floods. They will launch a disaster response programme in cooperation with the LWF/DWS Central America Programs and the Action by Churches Together (ACT).

Costa Rica Floods Report No.1 Page 4

For detailed information, please contact:

Contact Details Desk Officer (New York) Mr. Ignacio León Office Tel: +1 917 367-9960 Office Fax: +1 212 963-36 30 E-mail: [email protected]

GCMS (Geneva) Ms. Aoibheann O’Keeffe Office Tel: +41 22 917 4329 E-mail: [email protected] OCHA Regional Office for Mr. Douglas Reimer Office Tel. +507 317-1748 Latin America and the Regional Disaster Response Adviser Office Fax +507 317-1744 Caribbean Mobile: +507 6676-1689 E-mail: [email protected] Press Contact: (NY) Ms. Stephanie Bunker Office Tel : + 1 917-367-5126 Office Fax: + 1 212-963-1312 Email: [email protected]

(GVA) Ms. Elizabeth Byrs Office Tel + 41 22 917 26 53 Office Fax + 41 22 917 00 20 E-mail: [email protected]