Situation Report 4 – FLOODS – 7 MARCH 2008

This situation report is based on information received from the Office of the Resident Coordinator, UN Agencies, the Ecuadorian Government, the UN Emergency Technical Team (UNETE) in and OCHA Regional Office in Panama.

HIGHLIGHTS • The mesas sectoriales have defined that some 60,000 families were affected by the floods of which some 5, 000 are in shelters. • The most affected are El Oro, Guayas, Los Rios and Manabi. The agricultural sector has been particularly affected with hundred thousand of lost or damaged land. • The UNDAC Team continues its coordination and information management support.

SITUATION OVERVIEW 4. The Ecuadorian Red Cross has prepared a Plan 1. During the last two weeks, floods in the of Action targeting 4, 646 families (or 17, 274 country are affecting 13 provinces of Ecuador. persons) in the most affected provinces of El Oro, According to the INAMHI (National Institute of Guayas, Los Rios, Manabi, Bolivar and . Meteorology and Hydrology), rains will continue, The plan includes measures of rapid response (such with major intensity in some provinces; therefore, as search and rescue, initial damage and needs floods are expected until April. Climatic conditions assessments, evacuation) and humanitarian assistance have varied across the country this week, but heavy in the Food and WASH Sectors. downpours occurred in several parts of Los Rios, damaging bridges and houses. Organization: local and national authorities

2. In order to work with similar figures, the Coordination Mesas Sectorales (sectoral tables) reached a consensus on the number of affected: there are 60,000 5. The Mesas Sectoriales continue to meet and affected families not in shelters; and a maximum of coordinate regularly at the regional level on Mondays 5,000 families in shelters. at 11 am and Thursdays at 9 am local time. The NGOs have a space for meetings available once a 3. According to information received from the week. COE in Guayas, 21 cantons are affected in the : those are Milagro, Salitre, Daule, Naranjal, Shelters Balao, Samborondón, Isidro Ayora, Lomas de Sargentillo, Jujan, Yaguachi, El Triunfo, Balzar, 6. On 4 March, the Regional Situation Center in Nobol, Durán, Naranjito, Marcelino Maridueña y reported that a total of 10,428 persons are Santa Lucia. The cantons of Colimes and Palestina currently staying in 245 temporary shelters. Based on have not yet been assessed. the fact that the number of sheltered persons stood at 14,725 on 3 March, this could indicate the tendency NATIONAL RESPONSE of the population to return to their homes.

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Health 12. Agricultural lands have been the most 7. Some USD 33,000 from regular funds of the damaged in Los Ríos, Guayas and Manabí, and, in a representative of PAHO/WHO Ecuador was released more limited extent in the provinces of Esmeraldas y to buy medicines and other items in support of the El Oro. FAO will share satellite pictures of the Ministry of Health. The representatives of affected zones to complement the information. PAHO/WHO Brasil and of Venezuela also mobilized support. PAHO continues to provide technical Preliminary Damages in the Agriculture Sector support to the Ministry of Health in damage assessment and the analysis of health needs. Current Type of damage Hectares Loses in US $ health needs include the prevention of disease Lost areas in the coastal region 65,865 $ 95 millions outbreaks, increased epidemiological surveillance, Affected areas in the 74,341 $ 121 millions basic sanitation measures, and vector control. coastal region

8. The Health Sector dispatched 14 mobile units and 340 professionals to support operative units. Source: Report of the Agriculture Sector. These units undertook a total of 22,553 medical 13. This information is preliminary and will be consultations in February (of which 30% in shelters). updated once more assessments are completed in Some 38,360 impregnated mosquito nets were the field. delivered.

14. According to data from FAO, the most 9. At the regional level, 1,230 anti-venom serum affected crops are: rice (81,000 ha., or 23% of the were distributed in the most affected provinces of El planted area of the country); corn (9,922 ha.); banana Oro, Guayas, Los Ríos, Manabí, Esmeraldas y (25,000 ha); and cocoa (3,591 ha). In Manabi and Chimborazo. Esmeraldas, some 170,000 poultry are suffering from

diseases and already 1,000 chickens have died. Logistics

10. In cooperation with military authorities and according to various logistical scenarios and plans, INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE the set up of provincial warehouses was agreed upon. A joint mission from WFP and the SUMA team was 15. USAID has made another contribution deployed to the provinces of Los Rios, Manabi and El amounting to USD 110,000 and including hygiene Oro to assess facilities and coordinate the setup of the kits, drugs, and others items that were directly warehouses. At the moment all 3 warehouses are delivered to the Ministry of Health. functioning and SUMA has been installed in all of them. 16. Argentina donated 3,000 blankets, 30 tents, 3,500 liters of milk, 4,800 mixed conserves, 5,000 Recovery medical masks, 5,000 bottles of eye drops and other health items. Agriculture 17. Japan donated 100 tents, 1, 000 blankets, 25 11. The Mesa Sectorial has completed its water tanks, amounting to a total of USD 120,000. emergency infrastructure response plan for the first phase amounting to a total of USD 14 million; the 18. The Spanish Agency for Development sent plan includes the construction of water reservoirs for material for the treatment of water and a portable agriculture and the cleaning and construction of water plant, in addition to 3,000 blankets and planes. canals in the provinces of Guayas, Esmeraldas, Manabi, El Oro and Los Ríos.

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19. OXFAM provided 200 family hygiene kits, Tool). Special activities will be carried out to protect and is carrying out assessments in the affected areas lives and the environment. in the provinces Manabi and Los Rios. 28. On 2-3 March, members of the UNDAC team 20. Chile sent 250 boxes of food items, 400 undertook an assessment at the provincial and mattresses, 800 blankets and 200 tents. cantonal level of the national emergency response operation in Manabi Province. The general finding of 21. Peru sent 480 pairs of boots, 300 blankets, the assessment is that the cooperation of the national 300 sheets, 250 plastic buckets, 400 jars, 2,000 actors involved in the emergency response (COEs, galvanized sheets, 300 baby wipes, 300 baby bottles, Civil defense, Prefectures, Army etc.) at the 300 diapers, 220 hygiene kits, 5 kg. of anti-malaria provincial and cantonal levels reflects the cooperation tablets and 1 lighting equipment. at the regional level in the Coastal Ministry in Guayaquil. 22. deployed 5 physicians to work for one month with the possibility of an extension. 29. The provincial and cantonal COEs are operational and conduct regular meetings. At the UN RESPONSE provincial level, the COE is collocated with the military operation centre, and information on needs is 23. UNICEF continues its response with 100 therefore directly communicated. The flow of more volunteers in to support installations information between the cantonal, provincial and of the National Family and Children Institute regional COEs is taking place on a regular basis. (INNFA) to provide psycho-social support for 2,000 children in shelters and in the affected areas. 30. A more standardized format and indicators in all COEs are needed as well as computers and radios 24. PAHO with the support of the Regional in some COEs to improve the selection and Office for Disasters (PED), has provided technical verification of data. support in water security, surveillance, situation centers, communications and information IMMEDIATE NEEDS management as well as health services. 31. In the Food Security Sector, plans for the 25. FAO is providing technical support to the reactivation of the development institutions the initiatives of the Food Sector in cooperation with Banco Nacional de Fomento (BNF) and the SIGAGRO (MAGAP), INEC, CLIRSEN and Corporación Financiera Nacional (CFN) respectively UNOSAT and is working on a project for agricultural for USD 130 millions and USD 70 million have rehabilitation in the Chone River area, with the been prioritized. financial support of Belgium. This project has a component of early warning, developed in 32. Potable water continues to be a high priority. coordination with the National Meteorological and In many communities, it is a general development Hydrological Institute (INAMHI). issue that was aggravated by the emergency situation. The different sectors have been requested 26. The UNDAC/UNETE team continues to to identify the most urgent humanitarian needs in support the Government in strengthening the their respective coordination areas. Information coordination of the emergency response through the management and quality data needs improvement. Coastal Ministry (Ministerio del Litoral). An ECHO assessment in the province of Los Ríos and Manabí, have identified main areas of needs as 27. In cooperation with Government authorities, follow: UNDAC is in the process of developing an analysis of immediate environmental threats applying the FEAT methodology (Fast Environmental Assessment

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Emergency Operations Committees are example one classroom hosts 4 to 5 families with operational at local level Major needs include only 1 mattress per family). logistics, telecommunication equipment, rescue equipment boats, life jackets, etc. Isolated parrroquias and communities have not received any aid. Major needs are for water and Shelter: major needs are water and sanitation sanitation, food, and health. (drinking water, potable water, latrines, pumps, hygiene kits, etc.), health (medicines, fumigation, The Ecuadorian military has requested etc.), food (especially for children), non food additional zodiac boats, mobile kitchens, tents, items (mattresses, kitchens, kitchen utensils, and medical supplies to aid in the relief effort. mosquito nets, and cleaning kits), shelter infrastructure (as schools are crowded as for

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For detailed information please contact:

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Contact Details Desk Officer (New York) Ms. Heidi Kuttab Office Tel: + 1 917 367-3365 Office Fax: + 1 212 963-36 30 E-mail: [email protected]

Humanitarian Affairs Officer Ms. Aoibheann O’Keeffe Office Tel: + 41 22 917 4329 GCMS (Geneva) E-mail: [email protected]

OCHA Regional Office in Mr. Max Bonnel Office Tel: + 507 317 1748 - 49 Panama E-mail: [email protected]

Press Contact: (New York) Ms. Stephanie Bunker Office Tel : + 1 917-367-5126 Office Fax: + 1 212-963-1312 Email: [email protected]

Ms. Christina Bennett Office Tel: + 1 917 367 8059 Office Fax: + 1 212 963 1312 Email: [email protected]

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