Credits

The FY 2000 Annual Repor t of the U.S. Agency for Cover photo information: International Development/Bureau for Humanitarian (large photo) A building collapses from damage due Response/Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance to flooding in souther n V ietnam (photo cour tesy of was researched, written, and produced by Esmie IFRC). Alegrado, Olga Bilyk, Jamy Bond, Kasey Channell, Laura Coughlin, Brady Har tley, Faye Henderson, Jef f (top photo left) USAID/FFP emergency food com­ Ladenson, Alex Mahoney , W esley Mossburg, Matt modities are of f-loaded at a USAID/OFDA-funded Mueller, Joseph Ponte, Pia Rice, Amy Sink, Amy Tohill- feeding center in Sudan (photo by Mikaela Meredith, Stull, Katharine Winings, and Giselle Zimmer man of USAID/OFDA). MacFadden & Associates, Inc./Labat Anderson, Inc. in Washington, D.C. under contract number AOT -C- (top photo center) A helicopter delivers relief supplies 00-00-00224-00. for flood victims in souther n Vietnam (photo cour tesy of IFRC). Design by Robert King. (Top photo right) Children await supplemental feeding at a USAID/OFDA-funded project site in Somalia (photo by Mikaela Meredith, USAID/OFDA).

USAID/OFDA Publications

In addition to its annual repor t, USAID/OFDA pro­ Current repor ts are available on several Inter net duces several other publications that are available on gophers and World Wide Web sites, such as: the Internet and by request. One of the most useful is the Field Operations Guide (FOG), a pocket-sized USAID Home Page manual that contains methodology for conducting dis­ http://www.usaid.gov aster assessments, as well as infor mation on USAID/OFDA response procedures. USAID/OFDA UNOCHA ReliefWeb Home Page also produces current situation reports on selected dis­ http://www.reliefweb.int asters and crises around the world, which describe the humanitarian situation and the corresponding Volunteers in T echnical Assistance (VIT A) Disaster USG response. Information Center http://www.vita.org

OFDA FY 2000 3 CONTENTS

Credits and USAID/OFDA Publications...... 3 Environmental Degradation and Disasters: Meeting the Challenge...... 10 Message from the Director ...... 6 Prior-Year and Non-Declared Disasters ...... 16 How the U.S. Government Provides Humanitarian Aid...... 7 FY 2000 Declared Disasters ...... 17

Africa

Angola – Complex Emergency...... 19 Burkina Faso – Returnees...... 21 Burundi – Complex Emergency ...... 22 Central African Republic – Health Emergency ...... 24 Feature: Urban Flood Mitigation Project in Bamako, Mali ...... 24 Feature: Food for Thought ...... 32 Comoros – Health Emergency ...... 25 Ghana – Floods ...... 34 Democratic Republic of the Congo – Kenya – Drought ...... 34 Complex Emergency ...... 26 Mauritania – Floods...... 35 Democratic Republic of the Congo – Morocco – Drought ...... 36 Floods ...... 28 Republic of Congo – Democratic Republic of the Congo – Complex Emergency ...... 36 Health Emergency ...... 28 Rwanda – Complex Emergency ...... 37 Democratic Republic of the Congo – Accident...... 29 Sierra Leone – Complex Emergency ...... 38 Djibouti – Drought ...... 29 Somalia – Complex Emergency ...... 40 Eritrea – Complex Emergency Southern Africa – Floods ...... 43 and Drought ...... 29 Sudan – Complex Emergency ...... 46 Ethiopia – Complex Emergency Uganda – Complex Emergency ...... 48 and Drought ...... 31

and Asia the Pacific

China – Earthquake ...... 51 India – Cyclone ...... 52 India – Drought ...... 52 India – Floods...... 53 Indonesia – Complex Emergency ...... 55 Indonesia – Earthquake ...... 57 Southeast Asia – Floods ...... 59 Indonesia – Floods ...... 58 Vietnam – Floods ...... 61 Mongolia – Winter Emergency ...... 58 Vietnam – Floods ...... 62 Philippines – Volcano ...... 59 Feature: Disaster Preparedness in Asia ...... 63

4 OFDA FY 2000 CONTENTS Europe and the Near East

Afghanistan – Complex Emergency ...... 65 Afghanistan – Drought ...... 67 Albania – Refugees ...... 67 Georgia – Drought ...... 67 Greece – Fire ...... 68 Hungary – Accident ...... 68 Hungary – Floods ...... 69 Pakistan – Drought ...... 69 Romania – Accident ...... 70 Romania – Floods ...... 70 Tajikistan – Drought ...... 74 Serbia-Montenegro – Complex Emergency ...... 70 Turkey – Earthquake ...... 74 Feature: The Effort to Divert Ukraine – Accident ...... 75 a Potential Disaster: Lake Sarez ...... 73 Uzbekistan – Drought ...... 75

Latin America and the Caribbean

Bolivia – Drought ...... 77 Caribbean – Hurricane ...... 78 Chile – Floods ...... 78 Ecuador – Volcano ...... 79 El Salvador – Health Emergency...... 79 Honduras – Floods ...... 79 Mexico – Floods ...... 80 Feature: The Central American Mitigation Initiative ...... 80 Paraguay – Drought ...... 81 Venezuela – Floods ...... 82 Feature: USAID/OFDA’s Global Training Program ...... 84

Appendix: Summary of USAID/OFDA Response in FY 2000 ...... 86 Commonly Used Acronyms ...... 93

OFDA FY 2000 5 OVERVIEW

MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR

Finding Like Minds in Hard Times

he requirements for humanitarian assistance, unfortunately, are on the increase. The human­ Titarian community has an obligation to recog­ nize this and respond in as creative and proactive a manner as possible. One of the great rewards of working in the humanitarian arena is the mutual rein­ forcement that people of like minds provide to each other; assumptions are made that don't require explanation: "Yes, we will find some way of help­ ing...was that ever a question?"

The humanitarian community has begun to think and operate in partnerships that reflect the realities of working in environments that are increasingly insecure.

Reinforcement like this is intellectual, emotional, and moral, and goes a long way during hard times. The individual attitudes have a direct impact on the organizations they represent, which in tur n encour­ ages institutionalization of truly cooperative behavior.

Beneficiaries of What we have increasingly seen, however , are USAID/OFDA- arrangements and understandings put in place that standards of humanitarian relief. The Sphere Project* funded drought greatly facilitate developing a shared agenda. At the is conspicuous among these ef forts. assistance programs same time, the unique identities of the individual in Paraguay (photo organizations involved have not been compromised. On a personal note, this will be my final message as by Alejandro James, The humanitarian community has begun to think and Director. It has been an extraordinar y experience in USAID/OFDA). operate in par tnerships that reflect the realities of the best of company. Thank you all. working in environments that are increasingly inse­ cure. Donors have acknowledged the value of such arrangements by recognizing their work in funding H. Roy Williams decisions. The development of cooperative arrange­ Director ments represents a positive step in this direction, as Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance reflected in the concer ted efforts set forth to raise the

* The Sphere Project is an inter-agency collaborative ef fort to increase the ef fectiveness of humanitarian assistance through a Humanitarian Charter and minimum standards guide.

6 OFDA FY 2000 OVERVIEW

HOW USAID/OFDA WORKS

How the U.S. Government Provides Humanitarian Aid

The Office of U.S. Foreign (USAID/PVC), and the Of fice of American Schools Disaster Assistance and Hospitals Abroad (USAID/ASHA). The Of fice of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA) is the office within USAID responsible USAID/OFDA recently reorganized into three divi­ for providing non-food humanitarian assistance in sions, under the management of the Of fice of the response to inter national crises and disasters. The Director. The Disaster Response and Mitigation (DRM) USAID Administrator is designated as the President's division is responsible for coordinating with other Special Coordinator for Inter national Disaster organizations for the provision of relief supplies and Assistance and USAID/OFDA assists in the coordina­ humanitarian assistance. DRM also devises, coordi­ tion of this assistance. USAID/OFDA is par t of the nates, and implements program strategies for the Bureau for Humanitarian Response (USAID/BHR), application of science and technology to prevention, along with the Office of Food For Peace (USAID/FFP), mitigation, and national and inter national prepared­ the Of fice of T ransition Initiatives (USAID/OTI), the ness initiatives for a variety of natural and man-made Office of Private and V oluntary Cooperation disaster situations. The Operations Division (OPS)

Quality USAID Control Administrator

Bureau for Bureau for Policy and Management Program Coordination

Bureau for Office of Small Global Bureau for Office of Office of the Office of the Disadvantaged Programs, Legislative Equal General Inspector Business/ Field and Public Opportunity Counsel General Minority Support and Affairs Programs Research Resource Center

Bureau for Bureau for Bureau for Bureau Bureau for Latin America Europe and Humanitarian for Asia Africa and the Eurasia Response and the Near East Caribbean

Office of Office of Office of Office of Adminis­ Office of Office of American Program, Private and U.S. Foreign trative Food for Transition Schools and Planning Voluntary Disaster Management Peace Initiatives Hospitals and Cooperation Assistance Staff Abroad Management

OFDA FY 2000 7 OVERVIEW Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance

Office of the Director

Operations Program Support Disaster Response and Division Division Mitigation Division

develops and manages logistical, operational, and asters, or drill wells or rehabilitate water systems in technical suppor t for disaster responses. OPS main­ drought-stricken countries. USAID/OFDA carefully tains readiness to respond to emergencies through monitors the organizations implementing these proj­ several mechanisms, including managing several ects to ensure that resources are used wisely and to Search and Rescue (SAR) T eams, the Ground determine if the project needs to be adapted to chang­ Operations Team (GO Team), field Disaster Assistance ing conditions. The goal of each project is to meet the Response Teams (DAR T), and W ashington Response humanitarian needs of the af fected population, with Managment Teams (RMT). The Program Suppor t (PS) the aim of returning the population to self-suf ficiency. division provides programmatic and administrative support, including budget/financial services, procure­ USAID/OFDA Funding of Grants ment planning, contract/grant administration, gener­ by Agency Type al administrative support, and communication support for both USAID/OFDA Washington, D.C. and its field offices. 2% IO USAID/OFDA/DRM provides humanitarian assis­ tance in response to a declaration of a foreign disas­ ter made by the U.S. Ambassador or the U.S. 27% 18 % Department of State. Once an event or situation is UN NGO determined to require U.S. Gover nment (USG) assis­ tance, USAID/OFDA can immediately provide up to $25,000 to the U.S. Embassy or USAID Mission to purchase relief supplies locally or give a contribution 53% to a relief organization in the af fected countr y. PVO USAID/OFDA also can send its own relief commodi­ ties, such as plastic sheeting, blankets, tents, and water purification units, from one of its five stockpiles located in Italy , Guam, Honduras, and the United States. Increasingly, USAID/OFDA deploys shor t- or long-term field personnel to countries where disasters The "notwithstanding" clause of Section 491 of the are occurring or threaten to occur, and in some cases, Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 states that no statuto­ dispatches a DART. ry or regulatory requirements shall restrict USAID/OFDA's ability to respond to the needs of dis­ The largest percentage of USAID/OFDA's assistance aster victims in a timely fashion. USAID/OFDA follows goes to relief and rehabilitation project grants man- the standard USAID procedures for routine procure­ aged by Private V oluntary Organizations (PVOs), ments, but utilizes expedited or modified procedures Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and when necessary to achieve its disaster response objec­ International Organizations (IOs). Relief projects tives. The first principle in disaster response accounta­ include airlifting relief supplies to affected populations bility is to ensure that appropriate assistance gets to in remote locations, managing primar y health care the neediest victims in time to minimize death and suf­ and supplementar y feeding centers, and providing fering. Procurement and accounting procedures may shelter materials to disaster evacuees and displaced be expedited, but must include ef fective systems of persons. A rehabilitation project might immunize dis­ internal control. located populations against disease, provide seeds and tools to far mers who have been af fected by dis­ Not all of USAID/OFDA's assistance goes to provid-

8 OFDA FY 2000 OVERVIEW ing aid in response to disasters. USAID/OFDA's miti­ democracy by aiding in the demobilization of com­ gation staff oversees a por tfolio of projects designed batants or developing democratic gover nance struc­ to reduce the impact of disasters on victims and eco­ tures within the countr y. Other par ts of USAID, such nomic assets in disaster-prone countries. Over the last as the regional bureaus, provide foreign development several years, USAID/OFDA has invested in a num­ aid, which often complements humanitarian relief ber of programs in par tnership with the U.S. programs or can be regarded as disaster recover y Geological Survey (USGS), the Pan American Health assistance. Countries that have achieved sustainable Organization (PAHO), the Asian Disaster development are less likely to require massive USG Preparedness Center, the W orld Environment Center, humanitarian assistance. and other of fices within USAID. These programs not only enhance a country's capacity to manage its own Three of the biggest providers of USG humanitarian disasters and hazards, but also promote the transfer assistance are the U.S. Depar tment of Agriculture of technology, goods, and ser vices between the U.S. (USDA), the U.S. Depar tment of State’ s Bureau for and the host countr y. USAID/OFDA mitigation-relat­ Population, Refugees and Migration (State/PRM) and ed programs range from investing in drought early- the U.S. Depar tment of Defense’ s Of fice for warning systems that can possibly head of f a famine Peacekeeping and Humanitarian Affairs to training local relief workers to manage the (DOD/PK/HA). USDA works closely with USAID/FFP response to a disaster more effectively. USAID/OFDA in allocating surplus food commodities to developing is increasingly investing in programs designed to pre- countries, under the Section 416(b) program of the vent, mitigate, prepare, and plan for complex emer­ Agricultural Act of 1949. This food aid is often used gencies, which are more the result of human actions for emergency feeding programs in countries experi­ than acts of nature. encing food shortages due to drought or civil strife. In other countries, local currency proceeds from the sale Other U.S. Government Offices of Section 416(b) food aid is used in suppor t of dis­ That Provide Foreign aster assistance projects. State/PRM provides multilat­ Humanitarian Assistance eral grants to inter national relief organizations in USAID/OFDA is not the only of fice within the USG response to refugee emergency appeals and con- that provides humanitarian aid to foreign countries. tributes to the regular program budgets of organiza­ USAID/FFP is responsible for administering the USG's tions such as the U.N. High Commissioner for foreign food aid programs, under U.S. Public Law Refugees (UNHCR). DOD/PK/HA coordinates the uti­ (P.L.) 480 T itles II and III. T itle II emergency food aid lization of DOD assets for humanitarian assistance programs are targeted to vulnerable populations suf­ overseas. In addition, DOD works closely with fering from food insecurity as a result of natural dis­ USAID/OFDA and the U.S. Depar tment of State to asters, civil conflict, or other crises. T itle II emergency coordinate the Denton Program, a program that food aid is provided without repayment requirements, transports humanitarian goods on a space available whereas T itle III food aid is provided as a bilateral basis, using U.S. militar y transpor tation. The U.S. loan program to countries in need of assistance. Geological Sur vey (USGS), the Centers for Disease USAID/OTI is the office within USAID responsible for Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Forest Service providing assistance to countries that are in a stage of (USFS), and the Environmental Protection Agency transition from crisis to recover y. Its assistance is (EPA) also provide technical assistance in response to designed to facilitate the transition to peace and disasters and potential hazards overseas.

USAID/OFDA Top Five Programs FY 1990 – FY 2000

COUNTRY DISASTER PROGRAM LENGTH TOTAL FUNDING

1. *Former Yugoslavia Complex Emergency 9 years $328.0

2. Sudan Complex Emergency 14 years $280.7

3. Angola Complex Emergency 12 years $137.6

4. Somalia Complex Emergency 12 years $133.8

5. Rwanda Complex Emergency 9 years $108.4

*Accumulated funding for programs in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Kosovo, and Serbia-Montenegro.

OFDA FY 2000 9 BY ALEX MAHONEY Environmental Degradation and Disasters: USAID/OFDA Rises to the Challenge

USAID/OFDA and other members of the disaster relief community continue to face major challenges posed by the significant increase in worldwide disas­ ters. These challenges demand stronger links between relief and development in the ef fort to prevent and reduce the impact disasters can have on lands and communities. USAID/OFDA is working toward a greater capacity and resourcefulness in responding to and mitigating these impacts by combining disaster reduction and prevention programs, linking with other USG agencies and inter national institutions, and strengthening its internal capacity for response.

The Many Facets of Environmental Degradation An impor tant factor driving environmental degrada­ tion is global population growth in the context of dire poverty. Much of the world’ s population growth is concentrated in urban areas, where half of the world’s six billion people now live, according to a recent Population Institute report, and this proportion contin­ ues to grow at a rapid pace. Much of this urban growth is neither planned nor regulated. In some of the world’s largest cities, between 30% and 60% of the urban population lives in unauthorized settlements, according to UNEP . The lack of socio-economic opportunities in rural areas is one of the factors that he impact of disasters on people and proper ty have pushed populations into cities to settle in the only is steadily increasing. During the 1990s, three affordable sites — precarious urban locations on the Ttimes as many natural disasters af fected com­ least desirable land. This land is often the most vul­ munities than in the 1960s, but the economic losses nerable to hazards, such as landslides or flooding. due to natural disasters increased tenfold — from $4 Populations concentrated in these areas can destroy billion to $40 billion a year , according to the the land’s natural resiliency , thereby making it even February 2001 U.N. Intergover nmental Panel Repor t more vulnerable. Unauthorized settlements are char­ on Climate Change. Much of this increase is due to a acterized by inadequate construction, poor or nonex­ dangerous combination of increasingly degraded istent sanitation, and high concentrations of people — natural environments, which contributes to the disas­ all of which greatly increase vulnerability to disasters, trous impact of natural events, and ever-larger popu­ as demonstrated vividly during Hurricane Mitch and lations moving into disaster-prone areas. the 1999 Venezuela floods. Environmental degradation ranges from climate change to deforestation, deser tification, and reduced Deforestation is one of the most visible signs of envi­ water quality and supply. ronmental degradation. According to the U.N.

10 OFDA FY 2000 OVERVIEW

Environment Program (UNEP), half the world’s forests shared across boundaries are an increasingly con­ are located in developing countries; during the 20th tentious issue. Fur thermore, environmental degrada­ century, forested areas in these countries were halved. tion has the potential to spur large-scale population Deforestation on hillsides leads to soil erosion, land- displacement as land becomes unusable or climate- slides, and increased risk of flooding as water runs off related disasters drive people from their homes, just slopes rather than being absorbed. A reduction in the as drought conditions have done recently in absorptive capacity of soils contributes to ground Afghanistan. Migrations may lead to tension between water resource depletion. If groundwater reserves are migrants and host communities, par ticularly if depleted, it can take many hundreds of years for them resources also are scarce in the host area. Because a to be replenished; if groundwater is used beyond the complex variety of factors are often what drive these replenishment rate, it becomes, in effect, a nonrenew­ conflicts, it is dif ficult to deter mine the role that envi­ able resource. ronmental causes have played in conflicts to date.

In arid regions, which cover some 40% of the Ear th’s land surface, a warmer Earth and increased pressure Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way: from human activities also could accelerate deser tifi­ USAID/OFDA Accepts the Challenge of cation. Desertification refers to the conversion of arid Promoting Disaster Reduction and lands to deserts as a result of decreasing rainfall and Preparedness loss of vegetation in a region, often the result of over- The effects of environmental degradation pose a two- grazing, over-cultivation, or har vesting of trees and fold challenge to USAID/OFDA: How does plants for fuelwood. Salinization also is a common USAID/OFDA work to reduce the cost and magnitude problem in soils in arid regions, since salts accumu­ of future disasters? And how does USAID/OFDA pre- late in the upper soil layers over time, often exacer­ pare for larger and more frequent disasters? During bated by irrigation with poor quality water and inad­ the last several years, USAID/OFDA has worked to equate drainage. Both desertification and salinization incorporate environmental considerations into the can render soil useless for grazing or agricultural pro­ projects it funds around the world. Careful considera­ duction, leading to the displacement of populations tion of disaster response options is a critical element away from the region. When drought strikes, tradi­ of USAID/OFDA’s overall funding strategy. tional agricultural coping methods for poor rainfall USAID/OFDA has incorporated strategic evaluation years may no longer be adequate to deal with these criteria into its grant proposal review process, which new challenges. supports those practices that avoid environmental degradation, and mitigate the potential for disasters There is growing evidence that the Ear th’s climate is in the future. warming at a faster pace. The U.N. report on Climate Change concluded that the Ear th’s average tempera­ In 1998 when floods struck Kinshasa, Democratic ture may rise by as much as 10 degrees Fahrenheit Republic of the Congo, af fecting an estimated during the next 100 years. Effects that may flow from 100,000 people, USAID/OFDA responded after the global war ming include weather that is increasingly emergency with a project designed to reduce the pop­ volatile, stor ms that are more frequent and intense, ulation’s vulnerability to floods in the future. The proj­ and changing rainfall distribution patter ns that flood ect, which was implemented through Catholic Relief some areas and leave others to suf fer from drought Services (CRS), built 17 small check-dams from local­ conditions of unprecedented intensity . And these are ly available materials, cleaned drainage canals, and only the shor t-term ef fects. Global war ming may be reseeded degraded watershed areas to improve soil expected to have longer-ter m effects as well: glaciers and moisture retention. When torrential rains again may melt and areas covered by per mafrost may struck Kinshasa in Februar y 1999, there were no shrink, sea levels may rise, ocean currents may injuries, no displaced residents, and no damaged change, and war m climate diseases such as malaria homes in the project area. This successful project and cholera may spread to new areas. Millions of enabled the residents of Kinshasa to avoid a repeat of people could be displaced as low-lying coastal areas the $7.7 million in economic losses they suf fered in are inundated by rising sea levels. 1998. These losses are not insignificant in a commu­ nity where average monthly household incomes are When environmental degradation leads to a scarcity less than $70. (For additional details, see "Food for of basic resources, such as food and potable water , Thought," p. 32.) social tension and conflict may arise either between or within states. T erritorial rights to bodies of water In March 1999, after surveying the extensive damage

OFDA FY 2000 11 OVERVIEW

reducing the amount of available water that goes unused, as well as the need to extract groundwater for household and agricultural use. These projects are an example of how USAID/OFDA supports activities that consider factors such as urban population growth in their design and implementation. Hillside homes destroyed by landslides near Together We Stand: USAID/OFDA Macuto in Vargas Partnerships State, Venezuela USAID/OFDA recognizes that responding to disas­ (photo by ters, reducing their potential impact, and preparing Alejandro James, for when they strike requires a holistic approach, one USAID/OFDA). that draws from dif ferent agencies and organizations with a range of expertise and abilities. USAID/OFDA Hurricane Mitch caused in Central America, President is building par tnerships with a variety of organiza­ Clinton announced the $11 million Central American tions to leverage one of its most valuable assets: Mitigation Initiative (CAMI) and named USAID/OFDA expertise in disaster-related issues. Appropriate devel­ as its chief implementer . The project works to reduce opment practices can make the difference in avoiding the impact of natural disasters by building the nation­ disasters. As an of fice within USAID’ s Bureau for al capacity in Central American countries to forecast, Humanitarian Response, OFDA is well positioned to monitor, and prevent those disasters. After identifying work in conjunction with other USAID bureaus and the root causes of the area’ s vulnerability to natural international organizations focusing on rehabilitation hazards, USAID/OFDA developed measurable objec­ and development. tives with which to address at-risk needs and designed strategic action plans. Currently , USAID/OFDA is In Honduras, USAID’s Land Use Productivity cooperating with other USG agencies in implementing Enhancement (LUPE) program works to improve hill- those plans. CAMI is one example of how side agricultural practices. Under LUPE, 38,000 fami­ USAID/OFDA is responding to the demand for lies growing crops on a hillside have adopted envi­ greater links between relief and development, and ronmentally sustainable cultivation practices that cooperating with other agencies to implement projects reduce soil erosion on steep slopes from 37 tons per dedicated to preventing and reducing the impact dis­ acre to less than half a ton, saving an estimated five asters can have on lands and communities. million tons of topsoil annually . During Hurricane USAID/OFDA recognizes that prevention, reduction, Mitch, LUPE farms withstood the ravages of the stor m and preparedness are three impor tant factors in while soil erosion and landslides destroyed far ms that reducing the large-scale devastation that disasters did not adopt these practices. Following Hurricane such as Hurricane Mitch can have on vulnerable pop­ Mitch, USAID played a major role in reconstruction ulations. (For additional details, see "The Central assistance, "building back better ," according to the American Mitigation Initiative," p. 80.) LUPE approach. USAID/OFDA continues to play an active role in that ef fort. In FY 2000, the impact of floods in Vietnam was exac­ erbated because increased populations living in In Africa, the Famine Early W arning System Network watershed areas placed more people in danger . (FEWS NET), funded by USAID’ s Africa Bureau with Recognizing the need to address this problem, additional funding from USAID/OFDA, suppor ts an USAID/OFDA star ted suppor ting flood plain delin­ exchange of trans-boundar y water infor mation and eation efforts designed to map flood plains to deter- climate issues in Africa. FEWS NET provides monitor­ mine where people should avoid building their homes ing and repor ting on hydro-meteorological develop­ in the future. These efforts also locate emergency shel­ ments likely to af fect food supplies. USAID/OFDA ters and determine evacuation routes to be used dur­ provides suppor t to FEWS NET for areas of specific ing future flooding. concern, such as cyclical droughts and flooding that contribute to humanitarian disasters. In India and Pakistan, USAID/OFDA has funded sev­ eral rainwater har vesting projects that work to In Asia, USAID/OFDA has cooperated with the improve the ability of communities to cope with current National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and future droughts. One aspect of these projects is to (NOAA) since 1993 to promote the regional produc­ construct cister ns for rainwater storage, thereby tion of seasonal climate forecast infor mation, which

12 OFDA FY 2000 OVERVIEW can then be applied towards disaster prevention and 1999 Caribbean Disaster Mitigation Project (CDMP) preparedness through improved risk management. promoted the adoption of disaster mitigation and pre­ These ef forts were instrumental in helping countries paredness techniques, technologies, and practices by cope with the ef fects of the 1997-1998 El Niño the public and private sectors in the Caribbean Southern Oscillation (ENSO) event. region, thereby lessening the number of lives lost, reducing potential damage, and shortening the time it Furthermore, USAID/OFDA funds the Bangkok-based takes to recover from natural disasters. Also, in the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC), which Caribbean, USAID/OFDA works closely with interna­ supports and encourages disaster reduction and pre­ tional lending institutions to increase disaster pre­ paredness activities. ADPC programs include the paredness awareness in development planning. Program for Understanding Extreme Climate Events During FY 2000, USAID/OFDA provided the (ECE), a USAID/OFDA-suppor ted initiative that was Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) with a star t up the result of an Asian regional meeting on El Niño­ grant to establish an in-house advisor . The advisor related crises held by NOAA in February 1998. ECE’s reviews development loans and ensures that project goal is to significantly improve the understanding of designs are sensitive to natural and environmental how extreme climate events, such as El Niño and La hazards. After three years, the advisor will become a Niña, can impact the environment in selected Asian permanent, self-supporting position within the CDB. countries. The program uses ef fective application of climate forecast infor mation to reduce the disaster impacts of such events. The program currently runs in Strength From Within: USAID/OFDA Indonesia, the Philippines, and V ietnam, and Builds Internal Capacity USAID/OFDA expects it to expand to Bangladesh USAID/OFDA recognizes that ef fective disaster and Thailand. (For additional details see "Disaster response, reduction, and preparedness require Preparedness in Asia," page 63.) strengthened internal capacity. Recently, USAID/OFDA embarked on a number of capacity - In the Caribbean, a multi-year program to reduce vul­ building initiatives designed to improve its ability to nerability to natural hazards is currently operating in respond swiftly when disaster strikes. In December cooperation with the Organization of American 1999, USAID/OFDA established Response States (OAS) and with USAID suppor t. The 1993- Management T eams (RMT s), pre-designated teams

Number of USAID/OFDA Disaster Declarations by Type FY 1990 – FY 2000

180 166 160

140 In the last decade, floods have been the leading cause for 131 120 disaster declarations worldwide. USAID/OFDA provided

100 $44.7 million in flood responses from FY 1990 – FY 2000.

80 62 61 60 49

40 32 30 28 27 22 20 16 15 14 14 11 10 6 4 4 2 0 m Fire tage ave Stor olcano Floods thquake Cyclone Typhoon V Tsunami Drought Epidemic Accident Hurricane Landslide Refugees valanche Civil Strife Ear InfestationA Cold W Food Shor Displaced Persons

OFDA FY 2000 13 OVERVIEW

A New USAID/OFDA Publication: Disaster Reduction: A Practitioner ’s Guide

Disaster Reduction: A Practitioner’ s Guide (DRPG) Three elements that provide the foundation for was produced by USAID/OFDA’s T echnical USAID/OFDA’s mandate to save lives and alleviate Assistance Group (TAG) and serves as a reference human suffering are emphasized in the DRPG: guide for the planning and development of disaster � Preventive interventions that promote activities to interventions with a specific focus on prevention minimize risk. For example, when reduced rainfall and preparedness. The guide supplements is anticipated, households may be encouraged to USAID/OFDA’s popular resource, Field Operations plant more drought-resistant crops. Guide for Disaster Assessment and Response (FOG), with a variety of techniques for incorporat­ � Activities that mitigate, or reduce, the effects of a ing elements of disaster preparedness and preven­ disaster in the short-term and enable populations to tion into disaster response. The DRPG focuses on recover quickly. The DRPG encourages the provi­ six main sectors: seeds and tools, livestock, water sion of relief items through local market channels as and sanitation, health, shelter, and food- and cash- well as the engagement of local businesses in relief for-work programs. Each chapter provides guide- activities. lines on assessing options, of fers various types of interventions, and profiles two illustrative case stud­ � Long-term initiatives that promote preparedness ies. The DRPG also includes a reference bibliogra­ and can facilitate more timely and effective disaster phy, topical annexes, and an annotated Crop and response; for example, early-war ning systems and Food Aid Calendar for Africa. emergency relief training. — Olga Bilyk

that are stationed in USAID/OFDA ’s W ashington Washington suppor t. USAID/OFDA also is working D.C. Operations Center . RMT s are responsible for to increase its existing commodity stockpile capacities coordinating all aspects of a major disaster response, in New Windsor , Mar yland; Miami, Florida; Pisa, from managing the field deployment of personnel Italy; Guam; and Soto Cano, Honduras as the need and commodities to disseminating infor mation. RMTs for emergency relief commodities has become support Disaster Assistance Response Teams (DARTs), greater. In Bangladesh and Mozambique, for exam­ which rapidly deploy to disaster situations on behalf ple, USAID/OFDA was able to leave water purifica­ of the USG to assess, gather infor mation and repor t tion units and Zodiac boats from nearby stockpiles to on current disaster situations, provide humanitarian assist local authorities in responding to future flood­ coordination, and process grants to implementing ing. partners. Finally, USAID/OFDA is developing a strategy in Furthermore, USAID/OFDA has enhanced its staffing Asia to deal more effectively with the increased num­ in its regional field of fices in San Jose, Costa Rica; ber of hydro-meteorological disasters. During FY Nairobi, Kenya; and Manila, Philippines and in sub- 2000, USAID/OFDA deployed a hydro-meteorologi­ regional field of fices in Bridgetown, Barbados; cal advisor to Bangladesh to ser ve as a regional Kingston, Jamaica; and Kathmandu, Nepal to resource in preparedness activities, providing advice improve the monitoring of potential crises, as well as on activities such as the USAID/OFDA-funded, long- conduct regionally-based management of disaster range flood-forecasting project for Bangladesh. A responses and mitigation activities. USAID/OFDA hydro-meteorological exper t based in W ashington, also has placed a regional advisor in Conakr y, D.C. augments the advisor in Bangladesh, and is Guinea and Emergency Disaster Response responsible for dealing with worldwide hydro-mete­ Coordinators (EDRCs) in selected countries. In an orological issues. effort to enhance its surge capacity , USAID/OFDA has established the Response Alter natives for With the ef fects of environmental degradation Technical Ser vices (RA TS) program. The RA TS pro- already manifested in an increased number and gram ensures that when a disaster hits, additional intensity of disasters, and with fur ther increases experienced professional staff are available, as need­ expected, USAID/OFDA is prepared to accept the ed, for immediate field deployment or emergency challenge this poses to the inter national relief com-

14 OFDA FY 2000 OVERVIEW

Response Management Teams: When Disaster Strikes, USAID/OFDA Mobilizes

In FY 1999, with disasters such as the devastating An RMT is composed of pre-designated teams that earthquakes in T urkey, destruction from Hurricane are responsible for the planning, logistics, commu­ Mitch in Central America, and a shelter crisis from nications, reporting, and administrative duties dur­ civil strife in Kosovo, USAID/OFDA played an ing the length of a disaster response. The RMT coor­ increasingly operational role in the field. Greater dinates with USAID/OFDA ’s USG par tners in field presence placed greater demands on Washington on recommendations and decisions, USAID/OFDA staf f in W ashington and ultimately and responds to inquiries from within the USG led the of fice to establish W ashington-based offices. The implementation of the RMT structure in Response Management Teams (RMTs), an operation Washington parallels that of a DART on the ground. designed to provide sustained suppor t for the In ef fect, the coordination and operation of relief increased number, size, and duration of activities in the field are reflected by similar roles in USAID/OFDA DAR Ts. When a major disaster Washington. In FY 2000, RMT s were activated for strikes, USAID/OFDA not only deploys a the floods in Southern Africa and Venezuela, as well USAID/DART to the field, but also mobilizes the as for the second earthquake in Turkey. RMT in Washington to ensure accurate communica­ USAID/OFDA attributes RMT operational success to tion, appropriate analysis, quick response to field its very systematic and focused approach. and USG requests, and prompt information dissem­ — Olga Bilyk ination.

munity. By linking with other agencies and increasing ter prepare vulnerable communities worldwide for the its inter nal capacity to respond to larger and more impacts of disasters. It is with this ef fort that frequent disasters, USAID/OFDA is improving the USAID/OFDA aims to reduce the devastating ef fects effectiveness of its response when disaster strikes. an increased number of disasters can have on popu­ Even more impor tantly, however , USAID/OFDA is lations and lands, thereby reducing the amount of supporting inter national ef forts in disaster reduction emergency response these disasters will require. and preparedness by implementing projects that bet­

USAID/OFDA’S TAG Team

USAID/OFDA’s Technical Assistance Group (T AG) understanding of hazards and disasters, as well as was created in 1998 as par t of USAID/OFDA ’s the technical information needed for comprehensive dedication to adopting new programming and disaster preparation and response. T AG members response capabilities in the face of evolving chal­ work with all of USAID/OFDA personnel, including lenges to providing humanitarian assistance. As regional offices and USAID Missions, and can serve part of USAID/OFDA ’s Disaster Response and on DAR Ts, assessment teams, and RMT s. Through Mitigation Division (DRM), the T AG is the team of inter-agency agreements and coordination with var­ technical specialists who provide scientific exper tise ious USG agencies and bureaus, the T AG of fers to USAID/OFDA ’s long-ter m planning, prepared­ USAID/OFDA access to valuable USG resources, ness, and disaster response activities. Members such as NOAA, USGS, and CDC. The team adds a have a wide range of sectoral exper tise, including significant value to USAID/OFDA activities by serv­ agriculture and food security, emergency and pub­ ing as a core staf f for evaluating global trends in lic health, water and sanitation, geoscience, cli­ disaster occurrences, and developing methods to mate, urban planning, contingency planning, car­ incorporate lessons-lear ned into USAID/OFDA ’s tography, and hydro-meteorology. prevention, preparedness, and response activities. — Olga Bilyk With these broad technical specializations, the TAG is able to provide USAID/OFDA with a global

OFDA FY 2000 15 OVERVIEW Prior-Year and Non-Declared Disasters

Activities initiated in response to a disaster declara­ FY 1998 Carryover tion often require additional funding for completion in subsequent fiscal years. In FY 2000, Dominican Republic – Hurricane Geor ges USAID/OFDA obligated a total of $1,751,652 Replenishment of water bladders in response to disasters declared in FY 1999 and to stockpile ...... $20,000 FY 1998.

FY 1999 Carryover

El Salvador – Hurricane Mitch Replenishment of 5,150 blankets to stockpile ...... $29,355

Guatemala – Hurricane Mitch Replenishment of 3,000 blankets to stockpile ...... $17,100

Honduras – Hurricane Mitch Replenishment of 2,541,024 sq. ft. of plastic sheeting, water bladders, and body bags to stockpile...... $165,500

Macedonia – Refugees Replenishment of 15,200 five-gallon water containers, 1,958,400 sq. ft. of plastic sheeting, and 1,260 tents to stockpile ...... $687,780

Nicaragua – Hurricane Mitch Replenishment of 14,000 blankets to stockpile ...... $79,800

Taiwan – Earthquake Costs of deployment for Miami-Dade, Florida and Fairfax County, Virginia Search and Rescue teams ...... $752,117

16 OFDA FY 2000 OVERVIEW FY 2000 Declared Disasters

Disaster Summaries in this Detailed Situation Reports and Annual Report Fact Sheets on Major Disasters The disaster descriptions on the following pages cover Available Separately the period of the USG’ s fiscal year, October 1, 1999 USAID/OFDA produces documents that provide more through September 30, 2000. During FY 2000, detailed information about declared disasters than is USAID/OFDA responded to 66 new "declared" dis­ provided in the case repor ts found in this annual asters. report. Situation repor ts are 4-5 page documents updated periodically and written on long-ter m, com­ How a Disaster is Declared plex emergencies. Fact sheets are traditionally one- or The Chief of the U.S. Mission declares a disaster in the two-page documents written on natural disasters and affected country when he or she determines that a dis­ complex emergencies that eventually may warrant sit­ aster exists that warrants a USG response and that is uation reports. beyond the ability of the host countr y’s response capacity. In the event that a U.S. Mission is not locat­ Situation repor ts or fact sheets were written for ed in the af fected countr y, the appropriate U.S. the following major disasters in FY 2000: Assistant Secretary of State may declare a disaster. A Angola – Complex Emergency disaster cannot be declared without a request from the Burundi – Complex Emergency host countr y for USG assistance. A disaster declara­ Caribbean – Hurricane Lenny tion allows the Chief of Mission or U.S. Assistant East Timor – Complex Emergency Secretary of State to allocate up to $25,000 (the Eritrea – Complex Emergency/Drought "Disaster Assistance Authority") for host countr y relief Ethiopia – Complex Emergency/Drought efforts. USAID/OFDA releases the $25,000 Ambas­ Horn of Africa – Drought sador’s Authority from its Inter national Disaster India – Cyclone Account (IDA) and provides the Mission with guidance Sierra Leone – Complex Emergency to determine the need for additional USG assistance. Serbia-Montenegro – Complex Emergency USAID/OFDA sends assessment teams to disaster sites Somalia – Complex Emergency/Drought when needed to assist in the verification of relief Southern Africa – Cyclone Hudah/Floods needs. Sudan – Complex Emergency Turkey – Earthquake USAID/OFDA Assistance and Venezuela – Floods other USG Assistance Vietnam – Floods Many of the disasters in FY 2000 required a mix of USG financial and staf f resources. The disaster Note: Historical and current situation repor ts and fact descriptions include total dollar figures for the assis­ sheets also are available from USAID/OFDA upon tance provided from USAID/OFDA ’s IDA, as well as request. summary information on assistance provided by other USG offices, such as USAID/FFP, USAID/OTI, USDA, DOD, and State/PRM. It is not always possible for USAID/OFDA to verify total assistance provided by other USG offices. Wherever possible, State/PRM and USAID/FFP funding for regional grants, programs, and international appeals are listed separately.

Assistance Provided by U.S. PVOs, NGOs, and the International Community Information included in the disaster descriptions on assistance provided by U.S. PVOs, NGOs, and the international community is compiled from reports sub­ mitted voluntarily to USAID/OFDA. It is not always possible to verify the accuracy of these repor ts.

OFDA FY 2000 17 Africa

41 OFDA 2000 AFRICA

responded by bombarding UNIT A’s strong- Angola holds in the central highlands. COMPLEX EMERGENCY In 1999, the conflict was focused in the central plateau provinces of Malanje, Huambo, he Gover nment of the Republic of and Bie, where UNIT A besieged gover nment- Angola (GRA) and the National Union held cities for months. Counterattacks by the T for the T otal Independence of Angola GRA in late 1999 and early 2000 produced sig­ (UNITA) have been waging a civil war almost nificant military gains. The Angolan Ar med continuously since Angola’s independence Forces (FAA) succeeded in consolidating and from Portugal in 1975. The Lusaka Protocol, expanding control of the provincial capitals signed in 1994, brought a temporary halt to the and major cities. Despite sporadic attacks by war. However, in 1998, UNITA, in violation of UNITA and widespread insecurity, by the end the four-year peace process, refused to disar m of FY 2000, fighting was focused mainly along and launched fresh attacks. In December 1998, the borders with neighboring countries, caus­ full-scale war fare resumed when the GRA ing Angola’s war to spill over into Namibia and

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OFDA FY 2000 19 AFRICA

Zambia, intensifying regional tensions. The Epidemics and shortages of food and GRA’s military success against UNIT A forced potable water continued to threaten the lives the insur gents to retur n to guerilla war fare. and health of vulnerable populations during FY Attacks and ambushes by rebels and bandits 2000. In addition, the majority of the roads into continued, particularly along key highways the larger towns and cities to which IDPs fled used for transporting goods, and even gover n­ were cut off due to conflict, landmines, and/or ment-controlled areas suf fered pervasive inse­ banditry. IDPs and residents competed for curity. UNITA continued to terrorize the civilian severely limited resources. The potential for population, looting supplies, recruiting com­ epidemics in Angola remained high, especially batants, and taking hostages. in the overcrowded IDP camps and cities. An estimated one million Angolans have Malaria, tuberculosis, measles, and diarr heal suffered war -related deaths since the mid- diseases were prevalent throughout the coun­ 1970s. Millions of unexploded landmines try, and there were recurrent epidemics of remain throughout the country. Thousands polio, meningitis, and pellagra. Malnutrition more were laid during FY 2000. More than declined in some areas, due to good harvests 70,000 Angolans are estimated to have lost and emergency relief interventions. limbs as a result of landmine explosions, During FY 2000, instability continued to including hundreds of casualties and injuries in impede and sometimes prevent humanitarian FY 2000. Of Angola’s total population of more assistance activities. Relief or ganizations were than 12 million, an estimated 3.7 million targets of harassment, looting, and crime by Angolans were war -affected at the end of FY rebels and other insur gents. Due to poor or 2000. The U.N. Of fice for the Coordination of insecure roads, airlifts often provided more Humanitarian Af fairs (UNOCHA) estimated in than half of the deliveries of relief commodi­ ties. However , the deteriorating condition of many airstrips made the delivery of emergency As of July 2000, UNHCR estimated that food commodities, particularly during the rainy season, treacherous, if not impossible. The 2.6 million Angolans were internally Kuito airstrip, which served more than 200,000 displaced throughout the country. Most beneficiaries, was in particularly poor condi­ tion. of the displaced fled insecurity in rural On October 8, 1999, U.S. Ambassador areas and flocked to provincial cities. Joseph Sullivan redeclared a disaster in response to the continuing complex emergency in Angola. The humanitarian situation had July 2000 that 1.9 million Angolans continued deteriorated in the previous year, and hostilities to rely on food aid, and as many as 2.8 million were escalating. The number of war -affected would require some for m of emer gency assis­ people at the time was estimated to be more tance through the end of 2000. than three million; and, of these, approximate­ As of July 2000, UNHCR estimated that 2.6 ly two million were inter nally displaced. million Angolans were inter nally displaced Angola clearly continued to require inter na­ throughout the country. An estimated 500,000 tional humanitarian assistance. of this total were newly displaced during FY During FY 2000, USAID/OFDA deployed 2000. Most of the displaced fled insecurity in several assessment missions to Angola and pro­ rural areas and flocked to provincial cities. The vided a total of $6.6 million to nine grantees, largest population movements occurred in Bie, including U.N. agencies, PVOs, and NGOs, to Kwanza Norte, Huila, and Lunda Sul provinces, implement emergency relief activities. while the capital, Luanda, as well as Huambo USAID/OFDA supported Africare, CRS, and Malanje provinces, had the highest con­ International Medical Corps (IMC), Médecins centrations of inter nally displaced persons Sans Frontiéres/Belgium (MSF/B), World Vision (IDPs). T ens of thousands of Angolans fled (WV) Incorporated, and the U.N. Children’s their country during FY 2000. As of June 2000, Fund (UNICEF) for agricultural recovery pro- according to various estimates, more than grams, including seeds and tools distribution 350,000 Angolans were living as refugees in and technical assistance; nutritional screening neighboring countries — approximately 22,000 and feeding programs tar geted at children in Namibia, 220,000 in Zambia, and 102,000 in under five; primary health care activities, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). including immunization and training of tradi-

20 OFDA FY 2000 AFRICA tional birth attendants; and water and sanita­ to refugees from the DRC and Angolan tion activities, including the construction of returnees, and a $100,000 grant to WFP for the water points and latrines, and training on how purchase of food for the Congolese refugees in to use them. Angola. Additionally, USAID/OFDA provided fund­ ing to Development W orkshop, a local NGO, USAID/OFDA ASSISTANCE ....$6,665,994 for a project that rehabilitated the city of *OTHER USG ASSISTANCE ..$87,354,128 Huambo’s water system. Beneficiaries of this *TOTAL USG ASSISTANCE ....$94,020,122 project included both residents of Huambo and the many IDPs located around the provincial *These funding figures do not reflect $95.6 capital. USAID/OFDA also funded UNOCHA’s million in regional funding provided by Humanitarian Assistance Coordination Unit State/PRM to UNHCR, WFP, and ICRC for (UCAH) for humanitarian reporting and coor­ refugees and returnees throughout Africa. dination; and the U.N. Development Program (UNDP) for a field network of Security Liaison Officers to exchange security infor mation between local government officials, U.N. agen­ cies, NGOs, and other humanitarian actors. In addition, USAID/OFDA supported the W orld Burkina Faso Food Program’s (WFP) aircraft, which provided RETURNEES a safe and reliable means of air transport for humanitarian assessments to isolated areas and n early November 1999, a land dispute in the delivery of essential, high-value emergency the Ivory Coast triggered several clashes food and medical items. Finally, USAID/OFDA Ibetween the indigenous Kru people and funded an EDRC and co-funded a local infor­ ethnic Lobe and Dangare immigrants from mation of ficer to provide USAID/Luanda and Burkina Faso. As a result, more than 15,000 USAID/OFDA with programming coordination Burkinabe far mers and agricultural laborers and regular field reporting on the changing were driven from their homes. The majority of humanitarian situation. these immigrants had worked on cocoa plan­ In FY 2000, USAID/FFP provided 68,200 tations in the Ivory Coast for more than 10 metric tons (MT) of P.L. 480 Title II emergency years. When more than 11,000 displaced immi­ food commodities, worth nearly $50 million, to grants began retur ning to Burkina Faso, they WFP and the Inter national Committee of the found no access to food, clothing, housing, or Red Cross (ICRC) for distribution to vulnerable medical care. groups. In addition, the USDA contributed On November 26, U.S. Char gé d’Af faires 40,000 MT of Section 416(b) food commodities, Daniel Santos, Jr. declared a disaster in Burkina worth more than $28 million, to WFP. USAID’s Faso due to the sudden influx of Burkinabe cit­ Africa Bureau gave nearly $4.7 million for agri­ izens from the Ivory Coast. USAID/OFDA pro­ cultural recovery programs, promotion of child vided $25,000 through USAID/Bamako to CRS survival, and polio immunization and treat­ for the purchase of food, medicine, mats, and ment. It also provided $2.3 million for civil blankets for Burkinabe retur nees camped in society building activities. USAID/Luanda Gaoua. State/PRM contributed $250,000 to worked closely with USAID/OFDA and UNHCR for reintegration of the retur nees. USAID/FFP on an integrated approach to humanitarian assistance and rehabilitation. USAID/OFDA ASSISTANCE...... $25,000 State/PRM contributed $50 million to OTHER USG ASSISTANCE ...... $250,000 UNHCR and $42.4 million to ICRC for refugee TOTAL USG ASSISTANCE ...... $275,000 programs throughout Africa. State/PRM also provided $3.2 million to WFP for administra­ tive costs associated with providing USAID and USDA food commodities to refugees. A portion of these funds was used to assist Angolan refugees. In addition, State/PRM provided approximately $2.5 million for refugees, returnees, and IDPs in Angola, including $2.4 million to UNHCR for protection and assistance

OFDA FY 2000 21 AFRICA

load) were living as refugees, most of them in Burundi camps in western Tanzania. COMPLEX EMERGENCY In FY 2000, the ongoing peace talks between the warring groups again failed to he civil conflict between Burundi’s achieve a major breakthrough. For mer South minority T utsi and majority Hutu con­ African President Nelson Mandela, acting as the T tinued with undiminished intensity for new mediator in the negotiations, attempted to its seventh consecutive year in FY 2000. Ethnic achieve agreement on ter ms that would pro- violence erupted after the assassination of vide for elections, military refor m, and a democratically-elected President Melchior power-sharing arrangement. President Clinton Ndadaye in 1993 and continued after the coup attended the signing ceremony of a "frame- Beneficiaries of a d’etat that brought Major Pierre Buyoya to work" peace agreement during a visit to USAID/OFDA- power in 1996. The violence caused the inter­ Arusha, T anzania, on August 28, 2000. The funded food nal displacement of up to 800,000 people and Hutu leaders, however, did not sign the agree­ security program in forced thousands more to take refuge outside ment. Karuzi Province, the country. As of April 2000, an estimated The Tutsi-led national government’s policy Burundi (photos by 770,000 people (12% of the total population) of forcibly removing civilians to regroupment Kirsti Lattu, were displaced throughout the country and camps to flush out rebel forces had for mally USAID/OFDA). 559,000 (including 200,000 from a 1972 case- ended in early 1998 with the dismantling of the camps. In September 1999, however , after fighting broke out in the Bujumbura area, the army resorted again to the regroupment strate­ gy, forcing thousands of people in the capital area from their homes and farms into makeshift camps. In Bujumbura Rural, more than 330,000 were confined to 54 camps in which disease and malnutrition were rampant. The locations and sheer numbers of the regroupment camps, as well as the general insecurity, posed logisti-

22 OFDA FY 2000 AFRICA cal problems for relief workers attempting to unable to return to their homes due to insecu­ provide emergency humanitarian assistance. rity. The October 1999 murders of two U.N. On October 4, 1999, U.S. Ambassador Mary expatriates in an ambush in souther n Burundi C. Yates redeclared a disaster for Burundi in FY underscored both the deteriorating security sit­ 2000 due to the continued humanitarian needs. uation in the country during FY 2000 and the USAID/OFDA responded with a total commit­ growing risk to humanitarian aid workers ment of $13,271,130 in funding during FY responding to the crisis. 2000. In the nutrition and health sectors, Adding to the humanitarian crisis in USAID/OFDA provided nearly $5.3 million to Burundi was the serious drought in 2000 that Action Contre la Faim/France (ACF/F), MSF/B, affected an estimated 330,000 households (26% Gruppo di V olontariato Civile, IMC, and of the total population). Inadequate and poor­ UNICEF to support supplementary and thera­ ly-distributed rainfall had reduced crop pro­ peutic feeding centers, train health workers, duction for three growing seasons, and the support vaccination campaigns, and provide 2000 A season harvest was an average 26% essential drugs and medical supplies. below the pre-crisis average. Crop diseases USAID/OFDA food security activities, totaling and a lack of food reserves added to the criti­ nearly $2.8 million, were implemented by cal food shortages that doubled rates of severe Concern, Solidarités, WV, Children’s Aid Direct, malnutrition in parts of Burundi. Cooperation for American Relief Everywhere The food security situation was especially (CARE), and the U.N. Food and Agriculture precarious in the northeast provinces of Organization (F AO) to assist community Karuzi, Muyinga, and Kirundo. A nutritional groups in agricultural and livestock produc­ survey conducted by MSF/B in Karuzi Province tion, provide technical assistance and small in March 2000 revealed a global malnutrition loans to farmers, distribute seeds, and conduct rate of 15% and a severe malnutrition rate of assessments to better tar get food assistance. 3.9%, which was twice as high as in December The Inter national Rescue Committee (IRC) 1998. The opening of additional supplemen­ received $1.9 million from USAID/OFDA to tary feeding centers led to improved nutrition­ provide water and sanitation assistance, while al surveillance and the referral of severe cases CRS received nearly $1.2 million to distribute to therapeutic feeding centers. Forced regroup­ non-food items. In addition, USAID/OFDA ment more than doubled the number of peo­ provided $410,000 to UNOCHA to facilitate ple requiring WFP food assistance, as well as coordination among relief agencies; and sup- the number needing supplementary and thera­ ported UNDP with $193,000 to establish a field peutic feeding in the camps in Bujumbura security communications network. Rural. However , insecurity prevented many USAID/OFDA continued to maintain an EDRC from reaching the feeding centers, leaving in Burundi to coordinate the USG humanitari­ uncertain the actual rate of malnutrition in the an response and monitor the progress of USG- camps. Ongoing conflict and insecurity in funded relief activities. much of the southern part of the country led to USAID/FFP provided 7,000 MT of P .L. 480 the displacement of a third of the population in Title II emer gency food assistance, valued at Makamba, and further deterioration in the more than $4 million. USDA provided 10,000 health and nutritional status of the people. MT of Section 416(b) food commodities to The lack of potable water and sanitation in WFP at an estimated cost of $5.9 million. the camps, coupled with high rates of malnu­ State/PRM assisted IRC’s and UNICEF’s health trition, set the stage for disease outbreaks. and education programs for refugee children Incidence of malaria, dysentery, cholera, and (including Burundians) in Tanzania; supported typhoid threatened to rise to epidemic levels in refugee-related programs in T anzania through the camps. A dramatic jump in the cases of CARE, the Inter national Federation of Red malaria also was reported in Karuzi Province. Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), In addition, the long-term disruption in routine UNHCR, and WFP; and supported Great Lakes childhood immunization contributed to a regional programs implemented by IFRC and measles epidemic in FY 2000. UNHCR. A portion of these State/PRM pro- In July 2000, in response to inter national grams benefited Burundians. pressure, the Burundian gover nment closed the regroupment camps in Bujumbura Rural, USAID/OFDA ASSISTANCE ..$13,271,130 although many of those living there have been

OFDA FY 2000 23 AFRICA

*OTHER USG ASSISTANCE ....$8,570,283 *TOTAL USG ASSISTANCE ....$21,841,413 Central African *STATE/PRM ASSISTANCE Republic TO BURUNDIAN REFUGEES IN TANZANIA ...... $12,800,000 HEALTH EMERGENCY

*These funding figures do not reflect $95.6 n March 2000, a meningitis outbreak struck million in regional funding provided by the Bria, Bambari, Birao, and Ngaoundaye State/PRM to UNHCR, WFP, and ICRC for Iareas of northeaster n Central African refugees and returnees throughout Africa. Republic (CAR). By the end of the month, more than 1,400 cases of meningitis and 262 related deaths were reported, and by mid-April meningitis vaccination stocks were exhausted. On April 11, U.S. Ambassador Robert C. Perry

Urban Flood Mitigation Project in Bamako, Mali

n July and August of 1999, unusually heavy rains fell Rapid population growth has resulted in a signifi­ in Mali for several weeks, cutting vital rail lines to cant deterioration of urban ser vices and infrastructure. IDakar, Senegal, and disrupting road traf fic to the Nearly 60% of the population lives in unauthorized, regional capital of Mopti. In Bamako, flooding caused poorly-constructed housing, with low levels of urban at least eight deaths and damaged more than 100 services, such as sewage disposal, refuse collection, houses. Approximately 4,000 residents were forced water, and electricity. Furthermore, the disposal of solid from their homes by floodwaters; and many of the dis­ waste into waterways and drains has emerged as a key placed found shelter in local schools, where up to four contributing cause of recent widespread flooding in families crowded into each classroom. The Mayor of Bamako; and the problem is exacerbated by extreme Bamako requested emergency U.S. assistance, since deforestation in and near the city due to the destruction the municipal government lacked sufficient resources to of trees for firewood. Given that heavy or torrential respond to emergency needs. USAID/OFDA provided rains are nearly an annual occurrence in Mali (as in the $10,000 to the Malian Red Cross Society for the pur­ rest of the Sahel region), combined with water way chase and distribution of food, medicine, and other overflows, deforestation, inadequate waste disposal, emergency relief items to assist those displaced by the and the lack of ef fective land-use management prac­ floods. tices to prevent development in flood-prone areas, the The floods in Mali are only one example of how a population of Bamako is par ticularly vulnerable to rapidly urbanizing world can lead to more natural haz­ floods. ards and increased vulnerability for cer tain popula­ USAID/OFDA is seizing the opportunity to mitigate tions. During the next 25 years, cities in developing future flood damage in vulnerable areas such as countries such as Mali will account for nearly 95% of Bamako, Mali. Following the 1999 floods and recog­ total global population growth. African cities will expe­ nizing Bamako’s potential for rapid growth and contin­ rience the highest rate of growth. Even within a region uing vulnerability, USAID/OFDA decided to build upon known for high urban growth rates, Mali outpaces the success of an earlier flood mitigation initiative in many of its neighbors. World Bank and U.N. data sug­ Kinshasa, DRC. In May 1998, USAID/OFDA funded a gest that the urban population of Mali will increase project through CRS to help remove the build-up of more than four-fold between 1995 and 2025. Bamako sand and mud from two communes of Kinshasa where is growing at an annual average rate of roughly 6.4%, torrential rains af fected up to 100,000 residents. which could result in an increase from the current pop­ Commune families suf fered direct economic losses of ulation of one million to nearly five million by 2025. (continued)

24 OFDA FY 2000 AFRICA declared a disaster for CAR as a result of the meningitis outbreak. USAID/OFDA provided Comoros $25,000 through the U.S. Embassy to MSF/B. HEALTH EMERGENCY USAID/OFDA’s funding of MSF/B assisted the Ministry of Health’s efforts to immunize nearly n December 1999, a cholera outbreak 900,000 citizens against meningitis. struck the island of Anjouan in Comoros. IWhile the region of Domini was the most USAID/OFDA ASSISTANCE...... $25,000 severely af fected, areas of Noumakele, the poorest and most populous region of the island, also were impacted. More than 140 cases of cholera and 14 deaths were reported. On January 10, U.S. Ambassador Mark W . Erwin declared a disaster in response to the cholera outbreak. USAID/OFDA provided $25,000 through the U.S. Embassy in Port

nearly $7.1 million, or the equivalent of approximate­ association members, and others who expressed con­ ly 55% of the annual average family income. In late siderable support for the project’ s objective to reduce May 1998, USAID/OFDA provided additional fund­ the impact of flash flooding in two creeks traversing the ing to CRS for a project to reduce and manage flood- commune. First, AAH/USA aimed to limit the uncon­ water runoff. In the next year, CRS was able to mobi­ trolled flow of rainwater by constructing catchment lize the community to construct 17 small dams, made basins, reinforced fragile creek banks with stones from bamboo cuttings, grass, and sandbags; strength- packed in iron wire, and planted trees along water- en water retention basins; and clean clogged canals. ways. These measures were tested repeatedly during the One of the key aspects of AAH/USA’s project is its 1999 rainy season, when torrential rains again hit effort to improve solid waste management practices in Kinshasa in Februar y. Although two of the 17 dams the community. Under the project, AAH/USA con­ failed, no flood-related damage was sustained in the structed four transit dumpsites and worked with com­ two communes, no residents were injured or dis­ munity members, municipal sanitation ser vices, and placed, and no livelihoods were af fected. As a result private garbage collection companies to clean refuse of this USAID/OFDA “investment,” more than from water ways, and establish a sustainable system 100,000 residents were spared the economic losses for garbage collection, disposal, and recycling. In that they otherwise would have faced as a result of the addition, AAH/USA used education and training 1999 floods. The success of this mitigation project modules to increase awareness of flood hazards and eliminated the need for USAID/OFDA assistance in FY hygiene (and its connection to water-bor ne diseases) 1999. among school children, the general public, and public In Bamako, USAID/OFDA is suppor ting a project officials. This includes periodic community clean-up that could ser ve as a model of sustainable action in days, complete with festive music and food. The proj­ other African cities. USAID/OFDA provided Action ect seeks to promote livelihoods by linking garbage Against Hunger (AAH/USA) with a one-year (July collection, recycling, and composting with urban agri­ 2000 – June 2001) grant of $294,000 for a pilot flood culture (forestr y, livestock, and fisheries), par ticularly mitigation project in the Banconi District of Commune along waterways and drainage ditches. 1, one of Bamako’s fastest growing, most densely pop­ USAID/OFDA expects that the pilot flood mitiga­ ulated, poorest, and most under ser ved sections . tion project in Bamako will ser ve as a model for other During the 1999 floods, 416 families in the Banconi community-based natural hazard reduction activities District were af fected by flash flooding from nearby in urban settings throughout Africa or other vulnerable cliffs. Of Banconi’ s total population of approximately regions of the world. 200,000, more than 111,000 residents live in areas at high-risk for flood damage. — Laura Coughlin In July 2000, USAID/OFDA sent a two-person team to Bamako to help launch its newly funded flood mitigation project. Team members met with numerous local and national gover nment of ficials, commune

OFDA FY 2000 25 AFRICA

Louis, Mauritius to Aide Medicale an estimated 50,500 displaced were located in Internationale (AMI), a French NGO. AMI used camps in Kisangani, Kinshasa, and Katanga these funds to purchase emer gency medical provinces. USAID/OFDA’s humanitarian assis­ supplies, including intravenous fluid, ringer tance activities tar geted the needs of vulnera­ solution, disinfectant, and curative and pre­ ble host populations and IDPs. UNHCR report­ ventative medical equipment, which were then ed that more than 221,000 refugees from the used to treat communities at risk. DRC crossed into Angola (13,000), Burundi (21,000), the Republic of Congo (12,000), USAID/OFDA ASSISTANCE...... $25,000 Rwanda (33,000), T anzania (98,000), Uganda (8,000), and Zambia (36,000) to flee the ongo­ ing conflict. In addition, an estimated 315,000 refugees from Angola (180,000), Burundi (19,000), the Republic of Congo (12,000), Rwanda (33,000), Sudan (68,000), and Uganda (3,000) fled into the DRC from insecurity in Democratic these neighboring countries. UNHCR access to all refugees was hindered by fuel shortages Republic of the and impassable roads. The uncertain security situation in the DRC Congo prevented inter national humanitarian ef forts COMPLEX EMERGENCY from reaching widely dispersed and diverse groups of IDPs. In accessible regions, idespread fighting continued to USAID/OFDA maintained 22 grants, totaling destabilize both the DRC and the more than $13 million, with implementing W Great Lakes region throughout FY partners AAH/USA, AirServ, CRS, Food for the 2000, restricting humanitarian access to dis­ Hungry Inter national (FHI) Ger man Agro- placed and war-affected populations. Violence Action (IMA), IRC, Medical Emer gency Relief between Rwandan and Ugandan troops in International (MERLIN), Save the Children Kisangani in June marked the most intense Fund/United Kingdom (SCF/UK), UNICEF, and outbreak of violence in the DRC following the World Relief Cooperation (WRC). In FY 2000, signing of the Lusaka Peace Accords in both USAID/OFDA continued to fund an EDRC to July and August 1999. The political leaders of monitor the emergency humanitarian situation the DRC, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Angola, and USAID/OFDA relief activities throughout Rwanda, Uganda, and the main combatants the country. were signatories to the Lusaka Accords. The Deterioration in the health sector was fighting exacerbated regional insecurity, exacerbated by the increased strain of IDPs immobilized economic activity, and destroyed and refugees on local care networks and approximately 60% of the city. In response to remained a leading cause for humanitarian the deteriorating humanitarian situation and concern in the DRC. USAID/OFDA responded continued insecurity in the DRC, U.S. by funding 10 grants that provided emergency Ambassador William L. Swing redeclared a dis­ nutrition assistance, ur gent medical supplies, aster for FY 2000 on November 16, 1999. polio immunizations, and emer gency basic Additional fighting was reported in health care to an estimated 2.4 million benefi­ Equateur, Orientale, Katanga, the Kasais, and ciaries. MERLIN received approximately $1 North and South Kivu provinces. All sides in million from USAID/OFDA to continue the the conflict continued to violate the Lusaka provision of basic health care to war -affected Accords, which outlined a cease-fire and in Maniema and Kasai Orientale. organized inter-Congolese dialogue. The In January 2000, the U.N. Secretary- accords also requested the deployment of 90 General to the Security Council on MONUC U.N. military observers in the U.N. Observer reported that more than 2.1 million people Mission (MONUC), which was increased to (IDPs, refugees, and urban vulnerable) faced 5,500 peacekeeping troops in February 2000. critical food insecurity. USAID/OFDA respond­ According to UNOCHA, an estimated 1.5 ed by providing seven grants, totaling approx­ million people have been inter nally displaced imately $4.8 million, for seeds and tools distri­ within the DRC since August 1998. Most IDPs bution and emer gency agriculture infrastruc­ were integrated into host communities while ture rehabilitation projects. These grants bene-

26 OFDA FY 2000 AFRICA fited more than 700,000 people in Kinshasa, USAID/OFDA also provided approximately $1 Katanga, North Kivu, and South Kivu million to Airserv to airlift plastic sheeting, provinces. In Kinshasa, USAID/OFDA provid­ medical supplies, and equipment to help alle­ ed more than $900,000 to IRC to distribute viate the effects of violence in Kisangani. monthly food supplements, provide medical In FY 2000, USAID/FFP assisted vulnerable treatment to conflict victims and IDPs, supply populations in the DRC by providing 4,150 MT emergency shelter materials, and or ganize a of P.L. 480 Title II emer gency food assistance, reunification program for unaccompanied chil­ valued at more than $3.3 million. USDA pro­ dren. vided 10,720 MT of Section 416(b) food com­ USAID/OFDA also provided $2.9 million to modities to WFP valued at more than $7.8 mil- AAH/USA for the procurement of medical sup- lion. USAID/OTI provided more than $2.7 mil- plies and the establishment of therapeutic lion to support negotiations on national recon­ feeding centers in Katanga Province. IRC also ciliation and the implementation of the Lusaka received more than $2.2 million from Peace Accords by civil society groups. USAID/OFDA to assist an estimated one mil- State/PRM assisted in the care of refugees and lion beneficiaries in Kisangani and South Kivu emergency food procurement and distribution, by improving vulnerable populations’ nutri­ totaling more than $5.5 million in FY 2000. tional status, establishing access to health cen­ ters, assuring adequate water and fuel supply, USAID/OFDA ASSISTANCE ..$12,931,593 A picture taken and repairing a vital trade bridge in the *OTHER USG ASSISTANCE ..$19,478,700 Luberizi region of South Kivu to provide before drainage *TOTAL USG ASSISTANCE ....$32,410,293 humanitarian access. To assist in the coordina­ improvements were tion of NGO activities, USAID/OFDA funded a completed in affected total of 10 grants in logistical support, coordi­ *These funding figures do not reflect $95.6 Kinshasa communes nation, volcano preparedness in Goma, and million in regional funding provided by (photo by Sarah emergency shelter projects in FY 2000 that State/PRM to UNHCR, WFP, and ICRC for Beakes and Eugulu assisted an estimated 1.1 million beneficiaries. refugees and returnees throughout Africa. Bosango, CRS).

OFDA FY 2000 27 AFRICA

A picture taken after drainage improvements in affected Kinshasa communes. These and other low-cost disaster reduction measures drama­ tically reduced the vulnerability of residents to flooding (photo by Sarah Beakes and Eugulu Bosango, CRS). Democratic Democratic Republic of the Republic of the Congo Congo FLOODS HEALTH EMERGENCY

n November and December 1999, extensive n January 2000, the DRC’s National Malaria flooding in the DRC threatened approxi­ Control Program (PNLP) and the CDC con­ Imately 1.5 million people in the vicinity of Iducted a joint assessment of the prevalence Kinshasa. According to UNOCHA, the water of malaria in health facilities in Kinshasa. The level of the Congo River rose from its average assessment revealed a dramatic rise in the of 3.7 meters to 5.2 meters. Approximately number of cases of malaria among children. 13,000 people in Bas-Congo region were ren­ From 1998 to 1999, pediatric admission rates to dered homeless due to the floodwaters. On Kinshasa General Hospital increased from 46% November 30, 1999, the Gover nment of DRC to 86%. The Congolese health care system was appealed to the inter national community for ill-equipped to ef fectively manage the sudden assistance. On December 1, 1999, U.S. increase in caseloads; and delays in receiving Ambassador William L. Swing declared a disas­ treatment contributed to an elevated mortality ter due to the flooding in DRC. rate. USAID/OFDA initially provided $45,000 in On February 16, 2000, U.S. Ambassador response through the U.S. Embassy to CRS to William L. Swing declared a health emer gency rehabilitate the drainage system in three sec­ in Kinshasa. USAID/OFDA responded with the tions of Kingabwa, a poor , densely populated provision of $25,000 through the U.S. Embassy (approximately 200,000 people) area located in to CRS to support the two main hospitals in the flood plain of the Congo River in easter n Kinshasa in expediting the diagnosis and treat­ Kinshasa. The project aimed to improve water ment of severe malarial cases in children. flow, lower the threat of flooding, and reduce the incidence of water -borne diseases by USAID/OFDA ASSISTANCE...... $25,000 cleaning the canals and streams that serve as drains for Kingabwa. USAID/OFDA subse­ quently funded a grant of $115,507 to CRS to complete the drainage project.

USAID/OFDA ASSISTANCE...... $160,507

28 OFDA FY 2000 AFRICA

sources of income. In June, lack of potable Democratic water and unsanitary conditions led to an out- Republic of the break of cholera. The Gover nment of the Republic of Djibouti declared a drought emer­ Congo gency and requested international assistance in July 1999. ACCIDENT On April 13, 2000, U.S. Ambassador Lange Schermerhorn declared a disaster in Djibouti n April 14, 2000, a fire broke out in a due to the effects of the drought. In response, warehouse at Ndjili International USAID/OFDA provided $25,000 to support a OAirport in Kinshasa. The fire damaged Caritas feeding program. In addition, several buildings and caused stored munitions USAID/OFDA provided $50,000 to Djibouti’s and a fuel tank to explode. Authorities esti­ National Office of Assistance to Refugees and mated that more than 100 people died and Disasters (ONARS) for maintenance of trucks approximately 250 people were injured in the used for delivery of emer gency food and explosion. Local hospitals quickly became water. In support of a U.N. appeal, overwhelmed with the influx of patients. USAID/OFDA provided $50,000 to UNICEF for On April 17, U.S. Ambassador W illiam L. health and water initiatives to combat cholera. Swing declared a disaster in DRC and request­ In addition to USAID/OFDA funding, ed emergency relief funds to assist the victims USAID/FFP and USDA also provided emer­ of the explosion. In response, USAID/OFDA gency food assistance. In FY 2000, USG emer­ provided $25,000 through USAID/Kinshasa to gency food aid to Djibouti totaled 2,765 MT the IFRC/Congolese Red Cross Society to and was valued at $1.4 million. In addition, address the most urgent needs of those victims State/PRM provided $455,000 to UNHCR and injured in the explosion and fire. WFP for assistance to Somali, Ethiopian, and Eritrean refugees residing in Djibouti. USAID/OFDA ASSISTANCE...... $25,000 USAID/OFDA ASSISTANCE...... $173,557 *OTHER USG ASSISTANCE .... $1,882,100 *TOTAL USG ASSISTANCE ...... $2,055,657

*These funding figures do not reflect $95.6 million in regional funding provided by Djibouti State/PRM to UNHCR, WFP, and ICRC for refugees and returnees throughout Africa. DROUGHT

s in other countries in the Hor n of Africa, Djibouti suffered from extensive Adrought conditions during FY 2000. According to the U.N., the drought adversely impacted approximately 150,000 people, more Eritrea than one-sixth of the country’s population. In- country water tables decreased significantly, COMPLEX EMERGENCY according to WFP , and livestock health suf­ AND DROUGHT fered from scarce pasture and water sources. The nutritional status of rural populations ritrea and Ethiopia started fighting over dependent on meat and dairy products from contested areas of their shared border in their herds deteriorated. According to Caritas, EMay 1998. The conflict has been charac­ the number of malnourished children in its terized by sporadic periods of fighting that feeding program increased dramatically during have destroyed villages and towns in border the first quarter of 2000. Nomadic populations, areas, and forced more than one million facing decreased purchasing power due to Eritreans to flee their homes. On May 12, 2000, deflated livestock prices, migrated to urban fighting between the two countries reignited. areas in search of assistance and additional Ethiopian troops managed to push as far north

OFDA FY 2000 29 AFRICA

the displaced population was unable to repa­ triate due to the existence of landmines and unexploded ordnance and the threat of con­ tinued fighting. During FY 2000, Eritrea also suf fered from drought conditions, particularly in the Northern Red Sea and Debub zones. In addi­ tion, failure of the winter harvest in the eastern zones created additional needs for emer gency food assistance. According to the U.N., approx­ imately 335,000 people were adversely impact­ ed by the drought in Eritrea. As in other parts of the Hor n, pastoralist populations in Eritrea suffered extensive losses to their herds and other personal assets. Based on the humanitarian impact of the border conflict and drought, U.S. Ambassador William Clarke redeclared a disaster in Eritrea on October 18, 1999. In response, USAID/OFDA provided more than $5.9 million Women and into Eritrea as Teseney in the west and Senafe for emergency relief programs in FY 2000. In children find safety in central Eritrea. An estimated one million addition, USAID/OFDA deployed a DAR T to in Zula IDP camp Eritrean civilians were displaced, particularly in Eritrea on May 18, 2000, and maintained a after being the Gash-Barka zone and more than 90,000 presence in-country to monitor the situation displaced by people fled to easter n Sudan, where an esti­ and ensure appropriate USG response until the fighting in southern mated 160,000 Eritrean war refugees were end of FY 2000. Eritrea (photo by already residing. Because of the sudden displacement of Kim Smith, Under the auspices of the Organization for significant populations with the renewal of USAID/OFDA). African Unity (OAU), Eritrea and Ethiopia hostilities in May, USAID/OFDA focused much signed a cessation of hostilities agreement on of its assistance on the provision of temporary June 18, 2000 in Algiers. Under the agreement, shelter and other non-food commodities to the U.N. will deploy approximately 4,200 IDPs. Through UNDP , UNHCR, and Africare, peacekeepers and military observers as part of USAID/OFDA distributed emer gency shelter its Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE). materials, blankets, and household items to With a current mandate extending through more than 250,000 beneficiaries. USAID/OFDA September 15, 2001, UNMEE will monitor the provided additional support to ICRC for air cease-fire agreement through the demarcation transport of relief commodities and medical of the border , coordinate with humanitarian supplies as well as support for a WFP airlift of organizations providing assistance, and over- high-energy biscuits. see demining operations in contested areas. USAID/OFDA also supported numerous Many of the estimated one million dis­ health and nutrition interventions during FY placed persons were forced to leave their 2000 in Eritrea. USAID/OFDA awarded $1.5 homes with few personal belongings. The million to UNICEF for supplementary feeding, IDPs congregated around bushes for shade the transport of potable water , and the repair and natural water sources. These groups of sanitation facilities that tar geted 250,000 lacked basic necessities such as shelter , food, children and pregnant or lactating women. In potable water, and proper sanitary conditions. addition, USAID/OFDA provided funding to Crop cycles in Gash-Barka, the main agricul­ IMC to establish mobile health clinics and sup­ tural zone in Eritrea, were completely disrupt­ plementary feeding centers in Gash-Barka, and ed by the conflict, adding to food insecurity. to train Ministry of Health staf f on nutritional After the signing of the cessation of hostil­ monitoring and survey methodology. Mercy ities agreement, many Eritreans retur ned to Corps International (MCI) also received their places of origin or repatriated through a USAID/OFDA funding for an emer gency feed­ tripartite agreement between the Gover nment ing program in Debub zone. of the State of Eritrea, the Gover nment of USAID/OFDA contributed to food security Sudan, and UNHCR. However , nearly half of in Eritrea through a grant to CARE to increase

30 OFDA FY 2000 AFRICA agricultural production for drought-af fected populations in the Norther n Red Sea zone. Ethiopia USAID/OFDA procured eight rubbhalls COMPLEX EMERGENCY (portable temporary warehouses) for WFP to AND DROUGHT increase food storage capacity. In addition to USAID/OFDA funding, the n May 1998, Ethiopia and Eritrea became USG provided emergency assistance to Eritrea consumed in a conflict over their shared through USAID/FFP , USDA, and State/PRM. Iborder, which extends approximately 600 USAID/FFP P.L. 480 Title II emer gency food kilometers. The border conflict resulted in assistance to Eritrea totaled 4,980 MT, valued at intermittent outbreaks of violence, destruction more than $2.5 million. USDA provided of infrastructure, and significant population 108,000 MT of Section 416(b) assistance, val­ displacements in both countries. The latest ued at approximately $14 million. State/PRM round of intense fighting between Ethiopian provided more than $2.6 million in Eritrea for and Eritrean troops began on May 12, 2000. assistance to refugees and IDPs. In addition, Ethiopian troops advanced far into Eritrean ter­ State/PRM contributed $2 million to ICRC to ritory, displacing lar ge numbers of Eritrean assist war -affected populations, POWs, and civilians, particularly in the Gash-Barka zone. detainees in both Ethiopia and Eritrea, and The OAU brokered a cessation of hostili­ $5.7 million to UNHCR to support new Eritrean ties agreement that was signed by both coun­ refugees in Sudan and surrounding countries, tries on June 18. The agreement included plans and Eritrean IDPs located along the Sudanese for the deployment of a U. N. peacekeeping border. operation, the U.N. Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE). UNMEE’s mandate calls for USAID/OFDA ASSISTANCE ....$5,465,384 approximately 4,200 troops and military *OTHER USG ASSISTANCE ..$25,970,800 observers to monitor the two countries’ adher­ ence to the terms of the cease-fire and conduct *TOTAL USG ASSISTANCE ....$31,436,184 demining operations that will facilitate the resettlement of war -affected populations. *These funding figures do not reflect $95.6 Approximately 350,000 people have been dis­ million in regional funding provided by placed in Tigray and Afar regions of Ethiopia State/PRM to UNHCR, WFP, and ICRC for by the conflict. refugees and returnees throughout Africa. In addition to the border conflict, Ethiopia also has been hampered by the effects of three consecutive years of below average rainfall. In

USAID staff survey damage in the war- torn town of Zala- Ambesa along the border between Ethiopia and Eritrea (photo by Amy Sink, USAID/OFDA).

OFDA FY 2000 31 AFRICA

FY 2000, severe drought conditions culminated (GFDRE) Disaster Prevention and Preparedness in the most widespread food crisis in the coun­ Commission (DPPC) launched an appeal for try since the famine of 1984 -1985. Af fected emergency assistance for a population of 7.7 populations also suf fered from severe water million affected by drought and 350,000 people shortages, extensive livestock loss, and increas­ displaced by the war in the north. In June, the ing malnutrition. Pastoralist populations in U.N. issued a consolidated appeal for the southern and southeaster n Ethiopia, facing drought in the Horn of Africa that sought assis­ losses of as much as 90% of their herds, were tance for 10 million Ethiopians. Following the forced to migrate to other areas in search of failure of the secondary harvest in June – July pasture and water sources. 2000, the GFDRE revised its number of benefi­ On January 21, 2000, the Gover nment of ciaries in need of assistance to 10.5 million. the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia’s Due to the continued ef fects of the border

USAID/OFDA and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture Cassava Mosaic Disease Pandemic Mitigation in East and Central Africa Food for Thought

ast and Central Africa is known for a long and In October 1998, in response to deep concer ns complex histor y of both natural and man-made over this potentially debilitating crop disease, Edisasters. In the last three years, Uganda, Kenya, USAID/OFDA began funding the Emergency Program Tanzania, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the to Combat CMD Pandemic in East Africa, the first Congo (DRC) have seen either extreme drought or dev­ region-wide CMD control program of its kind. The astating floods on top of a recurring civil insecurity that results have been remarkably successful, particularly in has cost these populations stability for years to come. initiating ef forts to revive cassava production in The collapse of regular har vests and the loss of shor t- Uganda, Kenya, and T anzania, to monitor any pan­ term crops have dramatically af fected agriculture pro­ demic recurrence, and to develop a CMD-resistant cas­ duction across the region and increased the popula­ sava variety in strategically placed har vest centers tion’s need for food assistance. around the region. In an effort to build upon these suc­ Cassava, a starchy carbohydrate-based plant with cesses, USAID/OFDA began funding a second pro- leaves rich in protein, is a major source of dietary ener­ gram in June 2000, the Cassava Mosaic Disease gy for more than 500 million people throughout much Pandemic Mitigation Project. By growing CMD-resist­ of sub-Saharan Africa. In countries where a healthy ant cassava strains, available in Uganda, Kenya, and diet can be more of a challenge than a choice, the cas­ Tanzania, the project mitigates the effects of food short- sava plant of fers high-energy carbohydrates and a ages from crop losses due to drought or disease. The moderate amount of protein, including eight essential project also is working to address deteriorating food amino acids. As if these dietary assets weren’t enough, security situations in bordering countries that are vic­ cassava also is cited as one of the most drought toler­ tims of the westward expansion of CMD. ant and weather resistant crops available — capable of On August 1, 2000, Secretar y of Agriculture Dan high yields under marginal soil conditions. It is no sur­ Glickman made a visit to USAID/OFDA’s implementing prise that the plant has developed into the most widely partner, the International Institute of Tropical cultivated crop in East and Central Africa. Agriculture (IIT A) in Ibadan, Nigeria, as par t of his Despite its hear tiness, however , during the late research on hunger , infrastructure, and health care 1980s cassava production was in serious danger when issues facing countries in Africa. IITA scientists informed an unusually severe pandemic of Cassava Mosaic Virus former Secretary Glickman of the Center’s development Disease (CMD) spread across hundreds of thousands of and distribution of improved cassava varieties to farm­ kilometers in East and Central Africa. The disease dev­ ers in disaster-prone areas of Africa, and the pro- astated crops, disrupted local economies, and threat­ gram’s significant impact on the future of cassava pro­ ened virtually all of the areas where cassava is grown, duction and food security in East and Central Africa. including Uganda, wester n Kenya, nor thwestern Tanzania, and souther n Sudan. In addition, the threat — Katharine Winings rapidly spread to the neighboring countries of Burundi, DRC, and Rwanda.

32 OFDA FY 2000 AFRICA conflict and drought on Ethiopia’s population, U.S. Ambassador Tibor Nagy redeclared a dis­ aster for Ethiopia on October 8, 1999. In response, USAID/OFDA provided a total of $14.7 million in emer gency relief programs during FY 2000. In addition, USAID/OFDA deployed significant personnel to the region as early as March 2000 to assess and report on the situation and expedite relief ef forts. On May 18, 2000, USAID/OFDA deployed a DAR T to Ethiopia and maintained a presence in-country through the end of FY 2000. Due to the severity of malnutrition and resulting health problems caused by the drought, USAID/OFDA provided more than $7 million to support health and nutrition pro- grams in Ethiopia. Specific program activities included therapeutic and supplementary feed­ ing, nutritional monitoring, vaccination cam­ activities. Due to the enor mous amounts of Ethiopian paigns, rehabilitation of health centers, and emergency food aid and non-food items that beneficiaries wait training of health care workers. USAID/OFDA’s needed to be transported from Djibouti, to register at a implementing partners for health and nutrition USAID/OFDA provided funding to WFP to USAID/OFDA- programs included ACF/F , ICRC, Concer n augment capacity at the Port of Djibouti and funded supple­ Worldwide, GOAL, American Red Cross rehabilitate the main road running from the mentary feeding (AmRC), SCF/UK, and UNICEF . During the port to the Ethiopian border . In addition, center in Welayita, peak of the drought crisis in March, USAID/OFDA provided support to UNDP to Southern Nations, USAID/OFDA funded several emer gency air- improve capacity at Berbera Port in Somalia. Nationalities and lifts of high-protein biscuits, blended foods, USAID/OFDA also sought to improve the coor­ People’s Region and therapeutic milk to treat severely malnour­ dination of logistics and relief activities through (photo by Amy Sink, ished children in Gode and Afder zones of funding to UNOCHA, WFP , and UNDP’s USAID/OFDA). Somali region. Emergency Unit for Ethiopia to provide securi­ USAID/OFDA provided $1.7 million to ty, reporting, air transport, and preparedness support emergency water and sanitation initia­ initiatives. tives in FY 2000. USAID/OFDA-funded projects In FY 2000, USAID/FFP P .L. 480 Title II with CARE, the International Committee for the emergency food assistance to populations Development of Peoples, and Cooperatione affected by drought and conflict in Ethiopia Internationale, increased water availability in totaled 248,200 MT, valued at more than $106 Oromiya region through the rehabilitation and million. USDA provided 480,000 MT of Section construction of water sources, emer gency 416(b) emergency food assistance, valued at water tankers, and the distribution of water approximately $62 million. State/PRM provided containers. USAID/OFDA also provided fund­ approximately $4.8 million in support of ing to IRC for similar water supply initiatives as refugees and displaced populations in well as the construction of sanitation facilities Ethiopia. In addition, State/PRM provided $2 in Somali region. USAID/OFDA’s water and million to ICRC to assist war -affected popula­ sanitation programs targeted more than tions, POWs, and detainees in both Ethiopia 400,000 beneficiaries in FY 2000. and Eritrea. USAID/OFDA provided more than $400,000 in FY 2000 to WV and FHI to improve USAID/OFDA ASSISTANCE ...... $14,663,905 food security for an estimated 55,000 house- *OTHER USG ASSISTANCE ....$173,816,200 holds in Amhara region through agricultural *TOTAL USG ASSISTANCE ...... $188,480,105 activities. Upon the arrival of rains, WV and FHI provided households with seeds and tools, supported with USAID/OFDA funding, to *These funding figures do not reflect $95.6 increase the areas of cultivated land. million in regional funding provided by In FY 2000, USAID/OFDA provided $4.6 State/PRM to UNHCR, WFP, and ICRC for million to support logistics and coordination refugees and returnees throughout Africa.

OFDA FY 2000 33 AFRICA

Ghana Kenya FLOODS DROUGHT

n September and October 1999, heavy rains ow rainfall and drought conditions, severely flooded the Upper W est, Upper which plagued much of the Hor n of IEast, Norther n, Brong Ahafo, and V olta L Africa in FY 2000 also severely af fected regions of Ghana. The Gover nment of Ghana parts of northern and western Kenya. The areas reported 52 deaths, 1,500 cases of cholera, and most-affected included the districts of Moyale, more than 280,000 residents af fected by the Turkana, Marsabit, Mandera, Wajir, and flooding. Economic and educational activities Samburu. According to the U.N., approximate­ were severely disrupted when many of those ly 3.3 million people (2.2 million pastoralists who were rendered homeless sought emer­ and 1.1 million school children) were af fected gency shelter in market stalls and school build­ by drought in Kenya. Reports indicated that ings. malnutrition rates in certain areas were twice In response to the humanitarian needs cre­ normal levels, particularly in some of the ated by the flooding in Ghana, U.S. Char gé refugee camps in northern Kenya. Herds dwin­ d’Affaires Gail D. Mathieu declared a disaster dled and food prices increased as the result of on October 26, 1999. USAID/OFDA provided losses to crops and pastures. In December $25,000 through USAID/Accra to the Ghanaian 1999, the Gover nment of Kenya (GOK) made Red Cross (GRC). The GRC used the funds to an emer gency appeal for inter national assis­ provide blankets and kerosene lamps to dis­ tance in combating the ongoing drought. placed women and children. In addition, In support of the GOK’s appeal, U.S. USAID/OFDA deployed its urban planning/ Ambassador Johnnie Carson declared a disaster shelter expert to Ghana to participate in an in Kenya on December 6, 1999. In response, inter-agency assessment of the shelter sector USAID/OFDA provided an initial $25,000 for and to provide technical assistance in the immediate relief activities in Turkana District. development of a relief and resettlement plan. USAID/OFDA provided a total of $5.7 mil- lion for drought relief interventions in Kenya USAID/OFDA ASSISTANCE...... $25,000 during FY 2000. In the early stages of the drought, USAID/OFDA provided $11,500 to WFP to assess and improve practices for tar-

Participants in a USAID/OFDA- funded food security project in Kenya learn techniques of irrigation (photo by Caroline Abla, USAID/OFDA).

34 OFDA FY 2000 AFRICA

USAID/OFDA for a cash-for -work program in soil and water conservation. USAID/FFP pro­ vided $14 million for 24,147 MT of maize, peas, vegetable oil, cor n soy blend, and beans to A USAID/OFDA- assist in the drought response. USDA provided funded borehole 93,000 MT of Section 416(b) commodities water project (maize, corn soy milk blend, cor n soy blend, improves access to and soy oil) to WFP, valued at $41.1 million. potable water in Garrissa, Kenya USAID/OFDA ASSISTANCE ....$5,699,217 (photo by Caroline *OTHER USG ASSISTANCE ..$93,543,417 Abla, USAID/OFDA). *TOTAL USG ASSISTANCE ....$99,242,634

*These funding figures do not reflect $95.6 million in regional funding provided by geting and distributing emer gency food aid to State/PRM to UNHCR, WFP, and ICRC for vulnerable populations. USAID/OFDA also refugees and returnees throughout Africa. provided a grant of more than $1 million to WV for food security and water activities in Turkana District. Program activities included monitoring of and training in food aid opera­ tions, nutritional surveillance, rehabilitation of water sources, supplementary feeding, and the provision of grinding mills. Mauritania In addition, USAID/OFDA provided approximately $1.4 million to UNICEF for the FLOODS provision of blended foods, essential medicine, and immunizations to 100,000 vulnerable chil­ eavy rains from September through dren; and $386,000 to IMC for primary health November 1999 caused significant care services and nutrition interventions in Hflooding along the Senegal River and Samburu District. in some souther n and central regions of USAID/OFDA also committed significant Mauritania. In October , the Mauritanian Crisis resources in FY 2000 for water activities to Committee estimated that more than 11,000 improve access to potable water for drought- families in the most-af fected regions of the affected populations and their livestock. country remained without shelter, blankets, or USAID/OFDA awarded a grant to the Adventist mosquito nets. The total number af fected was Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) for estimated at 200,000 people. the rehabilitation and construction of water On November 18, U.S. Ambassador sources to benefit approximately 130,000 peo­ Timberlake Foster declared a disaster in ple in Kitui District. USAID/OFDA also provid­ Mauritania in response to the flooding. This ed funding for water source rehabilitation and was the country’s second flood-related disaster management initiatives in Marsabit and declaration since September 1999. Mandera districts through grants to Lutheran USAID/OFDA responded by providing $25,000 World Relief (L WR) and Rural Focus, respec­ through the U.S. Embassy in Nouakchott to tively. USAID/OFDA funded UNICEF to pro- three local or ganizations responding to the vide emergency water and build local capacity emergency needs of flood victims. The funds in water management in three drought-affected were distributed to Commune of Kaedi in districts. Gorgol region, Crisis Committee in Boghe, To assist populations in the recovery of Brakna, and an elected committee of af fected their livelihoods, USAID/OFDA funded several residents in Rosso for the local purchase of programs related to agriculture and livestock tents, blankets, and mosquito nets. rehabilitation. USAID/OFDA funded L WR and USAID/OFDA also provided approximately Tufts University for a livestock/animal health $89,000 to the Mauritanian Crisis Committee program benefiting approximately 211,000 pas­ for the purchase of an additional 4,500 mos­ toralists. In addition, CRS received a grant from quito nets and 600 tents. The relief commodi-

OFDA FY 2000 35 AFRICA

ties were used to complete household kits con­ of storage containers, and the implementation taining one tent, one blanket, and two mosqui­ of village water management initiatives. to nets for distribution to flood victims. USAID/FFP and USDA provided 260,000 MT of emergency food commodities, valued at USAID/OFDA ASSISTANCE...... $113,849 $25.6 million, under the P .L. 480 Title II and Section 416(b) programs. Some of these food commodities were monetized (sold on the local market) and the proceeds were used to fund relief programs to assist drought victims. The GOM distributed part of the monetized pro­ ceeds in the form of grants to support its Rural Development Fund. The grants supported Morocco activities such as road repairs, potable water DROUGHT projects, the purchase of irrigation equipment, livestock safeguard projects, and micro-credits rought conditions beset Morocco for for farmers. USAID/Rabat used nearly $3.1 mil- the second consecutive year during FY lion of the monetized proceeds for water D2000. The country’s wheat production resource management projects and agricultural fell to 34% of its five-year average. In March, micro-credit programs. 2000, the Gover nment of Morocco (GOM) launched a 15-month rural relief ef fort. USAID/OFDA ASSISTANCE...... $25,000 However, at the end of the summer, more than OTHER USG ASSISTANCE ....$25,600,000 275,000 drought-af fected residents in Tiznit Province were reported to be in need of emer­ TOTAL USG ASSISTANCE...... $25,625,000 gency relief assistance. Beneficiaries of a On August 16, U.S. Ambassador Edward M. USAID/OFDA-funded Gabriel declared a disaster for Morocco due to nutrition and food the ef fects of the drought. USAID/OFDA pro­ security program vided $25,000 through USAID/Rabat to CRS to plant gardens in the provide potable water to more than 6,000 ben­ Republic Republic of Congo eficiaries in 12 rural communities in Tiznit (photo by Caroline Province. CRS activities included the provision of Congo Abla, USAID/OFDA). and transport of potable water, the distribution COMPLEX EMERGENCY

he ar med conflict that began in late 1998 between militia groups and T Republic of Congo (ROC) military forces affected at least one-third of the country’s 2.7 million people. The destruction of property and infrastructure, looting, and human rights abuses were perpetrated by all sides. More than 200,000 people were displaced from Brazzaville, the ROC’s capital, in December 1998 and January 1999. In total, the number of IDPs in the ROC was estimated at more than 800,000, most of whom spent the better part of a year living in the forest for safety. Far ming, education, and health care activities were severely disrupted in the most-af fected south- ern portion of the country. As hostilities abated in 1999, some IDPs from Brazzaville began retur ning to the city, many of them in poor health and suf fering from malnutrition. An additional 400,000 to 500,000 IDPs remained in the forests and vil­ lages of southern ROC where access was limit-

36 OFDA FY 2000 AFRICA ed because of security concer ns. After several With $473,000 provided by USAID/OFDA, the months of living remotely, where they lacked FAO distributed essential agricultural inputs adequate food and medical care, these IDPs and supported the coordination of emer gency were believed to be in even worse condition agricultural operations. IRC received $888,398 than the Brazzaville returnees. to implement a health rehabilitation project in After the signing of a cease-fire in Dolosie, and UNICEF received $500,000 to December 1999 and the beginning of the support nutrition, vaccinations, and medical demobilization of militia groups, the pace of programs in Pool, Lekoumou, Buenza, and the IDPs’ return to their home villages acceler­ Niari regions. ated. An estimated 10,000 retur nees a week USDA provided 7,400 MT of Section 416(b) were registered in February 2000. At one regis­ food commodities to WFP valued at more than tration site in Brazzaville, the number of chil­ $5.6 million. State/PRM provided more than dren under five was only 10% of the popula­ $1.4 million to UNHCR, IFRC, and IRC for their tion, instead of the normal distribution of 20%, emergency and camp programs to assist indicating that a lar ge number of children Angolan and Congolese refugees in the ROC. under five years of age had died during the State/PRM also provided $50 million to UNHCR period of conflict and displacement. Retur ning and $42.4 million to ICRC for their Africa pro- to villages with few or no social services and grams, a portion of which was used in the little economic activity, the IDPs required con­ ROC; and more than $1 million to UNHCR, siderable assistance from relief agencies to UNOCHA, and IFRC to support regional help them rebuild their lives and livelihoods. refugee-related programs, including those in With the peace and reconciliation process the ROC. continuing, the humanitarian situation improved by late July, and nearly all areas USAID/OFDA ASSISTANCE ....$4,013,683 were accessible to relief agencies. As malnutri­ *OTHER USG ASSISTANCE ....$5,760,701 tion rates dropped, the emphasis shifted from therapeutic and supplementary feeding to *TOTAL USG ASSISTANCE ....$9,774,384 rebuilding and restocking the health infrastruc­ ture, and distributing seeds and tools to help *These funding figures do not reflect $95.6 rehabilitate the agricultural sector. million in regional funding provided by While the number of IDPs declined in FY State/PRM to UNHCR, WFP, and ICRC for 2000, concer n was growing in Brazzaville refugees and returnees throughout Africa. about the influx of refugees from fighting in the DRC. As of late July 2000, up to 100,000 refugees from Equateur Province were scat­ tered in villages along the ROC’s bank of the Congo River , and 8,000 urban refugees from Mbandaka, DRC had settled in Likoula Province. Access to refugees in villages along Rwanda the Oubangui tributary of the Congo River had COMPLEX EMERGENCY become nearly impossible due to a lack of roads and a blockade of river traf fic imposed by DRC military forces. According to a n FY 2000, Rwanda continued to recover UNOCHA report, the number of DRC refugees from years of civil strife. Although the secu­ in the ROC had grown to nearly 100,000 by the Irity situation in Rwanda remained relatively end of September 2000. calm in FY 2000, sporadic incidents of violence On October 12, 1999, U.S. Chargé occurred. The most notable incident being the d’Affaires James C. Swan redeclared a disaster December 23, 1999 attack by ar med Intera­ for FY 2000, citing the continuing dire human­ hamwe on the T amira resettlement site in itarian situation in ROC. USAID/OFDA provid­ Gisenyi’s Mutura Commune, in which 29 peo­ ed $4 million to continue or initiate humanitar­ ple were killed and more than 40 were injured. ian programs in FY 2000. ACF/F and CRS There was also inter national concer n over received funding totaling more than $2.1 for regional developments and their possible therapeutic and supplementary feeding pro- impact on Rwanda. Population movements in grams, health care services, and food security eastern DRC due to the continuing conflict to war -affected families in the Pool region. there, as well as insecurity in neighboring

OFDA FY 2000 37 AFRICA

Burundi, held the potential for a new influx of Gisenyi Prefecture, including the repair and refugees or an increase of IDPs in Rwanda. improvement of existing water systems to pro- Favorable rains in most parts of Rwanda vide potable water for up to 50,250 people, as during FY 2000, coupled with a retur n to sta­ well as improve sanitation conditions in 16 pri­ bility in the fertile northwest areas, improved mary schools. USAID/OFDA also provided the overall food security situation. A crop pro­ $200,000 to support UNOCHA’s coordinating duction assessment in February 2000 conclud­ and monitoring activities to identify areas of ed that food output countrywide increased Rwanda with unmet humanitarian needs. approximately 37% in the Fall 1999 – Winter SCF/UK received $199,598 from 2000 agricultural season over the previous USAID/OFDA to improve the health status of fall/winter season. During the January to June vulnerable populations in Kabaya District in 2000 growing season, however , insuf ficient Gisenyi Prefecture through the repair of exist­ and poorly distributed rains resulted in a sharp ing health facilities and water systems, the pro- decline in crop production in the souther n vision of essential medicine and medical Kigali Prefectures, adversely af fecting more equipment, and training of health care staf f. than 374,000 people. According to UNOCHA, USAID/FFP provided 5,000 MT of P .L. 480 although overall agricultural crop production Title II emer gency food assistance, valued at increased in 2000, food assistance was still more than $3.8 million. State/PRM contributed required in the drought-affected areas. $236,241 to support the American Refugee Despite the improvements in security and Committee’s (ARC) Congolese refugee assis­ agricultural production, the outlook for tance program in Rwanda and provided Rwanda’s future was one of only guarded opti­ $77,531 to assist IRC in the tracing and reunifi­ mism. In FY 2000, an estimated 150,000 people cation of Rwandan refugee children in the in the northwest region remained vulnerable, ROC. State/PRM also assisted UNICEF’s educa­ including single-parent households, child- tion programs for refugee children in Tanzania headed households, widows, retur nees with- (including Rwandans), as well as Great Lakes out land, and many of the people living in regional programs implemented by IFRC and resettlement sites who had only limited per­ UNHCR. sonal assets. Many residents of northwest Rwanda still lacked access to health care and USAID/OFDA ASSISTANCE ....$1,148,568 essential medicine (the price was beyond the *OTHER USG ASSISTANCE ..$10,830,727 means of much of the population), while many *TOTAL USG ASSISTANCE ....$11,979,295 people in the resettlement sites lacked easy access to land and potable water. According to a September 2000 UNOCHA report, approxi­ *These funding figures do not reflect $95.6 mately 370,000 families (more than 1.5 million million in regional funding provided by people) were still living under plastic sheeting State/PRM to UNHCR, WFP, and ICRC for or in damaged homes, and another 63,000 fam­ refugees and returnees throughout Africa. ilies were in abandoned housing. The food security situation, though improved in FY 2000, remained fragile due to the unpre­ dictability of weather conditions and the potential for an upsur ge in violence related to events in eastern DRC. Sierra Leone Citing concer ns about the continuing and COMPLEX EMERGENCY potential emer gency humanitarian needs in Rwanda, U.S. Ambassador Geor ge M. Staples ierra Leone has been consumed by civil redeclared a disaster for FY 2000 on May 9, strife since 1991. The conflict has claimed 2000. USAID/OFDA provided more than $1 Smore than 20,000 lives and, at its peak, million to continue its emer gency assistance forced almost half of Sierra Leone’s 4.5 million programs. USAID/OFDA provided Norwegian inhabitants from their homes. An estimated People’s Aid (NP A) with $349,520 to support 490,000 Sierra Leoneans were forced to seek Gisenyi Hospital by training staf f and provid­ refuge in other W est African states, primarily ing essential medicines and medical supplies. Guinea (360,000) and Liberia (96,000). USAID/OFDA provided $399,450 to IRC to According to UNHCR, Sierra Leone is the lead­ continue its water and sanitation programs in ing country of origin for African refugees.

38 OFDA FY 2000 AFRICA

Widely divergent estimates of the total number mated 300,000 people were newly displaced of IDPs in Sierra Leone range from 500,000 to after May 2000. According to UNHCR, more more than one million. than 10,000 Sierra Leoneans fled to Guinea The Gover nment of Sierra Leone (GOSL) during the summer of 2000. Fighting in August and the rebel Revolutionary United Front in Lofa County, Liberia, and violence in Guinea (RUF) signed a cease-fire agreement on May in September prompted the spontaneous repa­ 18, 1999, and, on July 7, the Lome Accord, triation of more than 7,000 Sierra Leonean which formally ended eight years of civil war . refugees. Returnees and IDPs swelled already The ter ms of the Lome Accord called for the overcrowded IDP camps and host communi­ disarmament of combatants, the release of all ties, putting tremendous strain on humanitari­ abducted civilians, the inclusion of rebel rep­ an facilities and capacities. resentatives in the GOSL’s cabinet and other USAID/OFDA provided more than $11.7 high-level gover nment posts, and unhindered million in FY 2000 to support 10 U.N. agencies, humanitarian access. On October 22, 1999, the PVOs, and NGOs in implementing emer gency U.N. Security Council approved the deploy­ programs in a number of sectors, including ment of a U.N. peacekeeping force in Sierra relief coordination, agriculture, health, nutri­ Leone, known as UNAMSIL, which by the end tion, water and sanitation, agriculture, shelter , of FY 2000 included approximately 9,000 and logistics. USAID/OFDA funded CARE, troops. Africare, CRS, and WV for agriculture rehabili­ Despite the Lome Accord, numerous tation programs in Tonkolili, Moyamba, cease-fire violations continued, including fight­ Kailahun, Bo, and Kenema. USAID/OFDA sup- ing between rebel factions, killings and abduc­ ported agriculture programs that focused on tions of civilians, and attacks on humanitarian the distribution of seeds and tools and provid­ workers, their vehicles, and relief supplies. On ed agriculture extension services to help reset­ October 1, 1999, U.S. Ambassador Joseph tling families achieve food security. Melrose redeclared a disaster for Sierra Leone USAID/OFDA also funded FAO for the coordi­ Food distribution at in response to the continued humanitarian cri­ nation of agriculture rehabilitation programs. a USAID/OFDA- sis and emer gency relief needs of IDPs and In addition, USAID/OFDA funded Africare, funded feeding other vulnerable populations in Sierra Leone. CRS, MERLIN, UNICEF, and WV to implement center in Sierra During FY 2000, the Western Area (includ­ emergency health programs throughout acces­ Leone (photo by ing the capital, Freetown), the Souther n sible areas of the country, including mater nal Regina Davis, Province, and some parts of the Easter n and child health care, vaccinations, and USAID/OFDA). Province enjoyed relative security and improvements in humanitarian conditions. Despite the promises of the Lome Accord, however, rebel-controlled easter n and north- ern areas of the country remained largely inac­ cessible to relief agencies, jeopardizing the lives and well-being of thousands of vulnera­ ble residents. Even in relatively secure areas, poor road conditions and recurrent fuel short- ages hampered the delivery of emer gency relief assistance. The tenuous peace ended in May 2000 when RUF soldiers took approximately 500 U.N. personnel and UNAMSIL peacekeeping troops hostage, leading to the resumption of hostilities. Fighting continued throughout the rest of the year between insur gents and pro- GOSL forces, supported by UNAMSIL, particu­ larly in norther n areas. Many relief operations had to be suspended, including those in newly accessible areas, such as T onkolili, Kambia, Lunsar, Kono, Makeni, and Kabala. restocking health facilities with basic medicine The deteriorating security situation trig­ and medical equipment. USAID/OFDA also gered massive population movements. An esti­ supported ACF/F and MERLIN for therapeutic

OFDA FY 2000 39 AFRICA

and supplementary feeding programs in USAID/AFR provided $1.9 million for elections Freetown, Waterloo, Magburaka, Makeni, assistance, strengthening the Sierra Leonean Bombali, and Kenema. In support of water and Prosecutor's of fice, human rights advocacy sanitation efforts, USAID/OFDA funded ACF/F, building, and income generation activities. MERLIN, and UNICEF to increase access to State/PRM provided more than $7 million potable water and sanitation facilities, through for refugee repatriation and reintegration in water chlorination, well repairs, and latrine Sierra Leone. State/PRM supported U.N. agen­ construction. cies [UNHCR, UNICEF , and the W orld Health USAID/OFDA funded CRS’ shelter rehabili­ Organization (WHO)], inter national or ganiza­ tation programs in Kambia and Lunsar , which tions (ICRC and IFRC), and several PVOs (ARC, assisted 600 homeowners in reconstructing IRC, and IMC) in implementing a variety of their damaged houses. USAID/OFDA also programs assisting returnees, IDPs, and/or vul­ funded CARE’s distribution of non-food items, nerable populations. These populations includ­ including water containers and cooking uten­ ed the rehabilitation of the health infrastruc­ sils to IDPs, and provided CARE with an in- ture, primary health care facilities, damaged kind donation of 2,448,000 sq. ft. of plastic schools, and a project to address gender-based sheeting for distribution to IDPs in need of violence. State/PRM also provided more than emergency shelter. In FY 2000, USAID/OFDA $5 million to assist Sierra Leonean refugees in continued to support WFP’s humanitarian heli­ Guinea and Liberia. In addition, State/PRM copter used for assessments and delivery of supported UNHCR’s and ICRC’s Africa pro- emergency relief commodities. UNOCHA’s grams through contributions totaling $84.5 mil- Humanitarian Assistance Coordination Unit lion, a portion of which assisted Sierra Leonean (HACU) for humanitarian coordination and refugees. reporting also was funded by USAID/OFDA. USAID/FFP contributed 39,710 MT of P .L. USAID/OFDA ASSISTANCE ..$11,772,847 480 Title II emer gency food commodities, val­ *OTHER USG ASSISTANCE ..$37,780,262 ued at nearly $24 million, for distribution by WFP, CARE, CRS, and WV . USAID/FFP also *TOTAL USG ASSISTANCE ....$49,533,109 provided $5.9 million to WFP for emer gency food assistance to Sierra Leonean refugees in *These funding figures do not reflect $95.6 Guinea, and approximately $1 million to WFP million in regional funding provided by for Sierra Leonean refugees in Liberia. State/PRM to UNHCR, WFP, and ICRC for USAID/OTI provided more than $3 million refugees and returnees throughout Africa. for technical assistance with the implementa­ tion of the Lome Accord; a grant to WV to pro- mote civil society peace-building and civic edu­ cation initiatives; grants to WV and Management Services Inter national to imple­ ment a non-for mal education program for Somalia 60,000 ex-combatant and non-combatant young adults; and a grant to Search for COMPLEX EMERGENCY Common Ground for media and distance learn­ ing projects focused on demobilization, recon­ he political and social instability that ciliation, and reintegration. prevailed following the collapse of the USAID's Bureau for Africa (USAID/AFR) TSiad Barre dictatorship in 1991 contin­ provided $560,000 in FY 2000 to assist war vic­ ued in Somalia for the ninth consecutive year tims through a grant to IRC for the rehabilita­ during FY 2000. The absence of a central gov­ tion and reintegration of for mer child soldiers ernment, an infrastructure in ruin, and sporadic and other war -affected children, and technical inter-clan warfare hampered rehabilitation and assistance to Handicap Inter national, which recovery ef forts. The killings, lootings, and provided prosthetics to the war -wounded. general banditry that forced the displacement USAID/AFR also funded UNICEF to continue its of large segments of the population also limit­ children's tracing, protection, and assistance ed access of relief workers to vulnerable network. USAID/AFR also provided $50,000 in groups and increasingly put the lives of relief Special Self-Help funds to the U.S. Ambassador workers in danger , especially in souther n for a special rehabilitation project. In addition, Somalia.

40 OFDA FY 2000 AFRICA

Civil strife, coupled with mercurial climate Three weeks of heavy rainfall in April and changes, af fected agricultural production and May, as well as near nor mal rainfall in June created a precarious food security situation as and early July 2000, brought relief to the FY 2000 began. Much of southern Somalia was drought-affected regions in the south and still suf fering from substantial crop and live- increased the likelihood for improved cereal stock losses that had occurred as a result of production. Although the forecast indicated destructive floods in late 1997, while subse­ that most regions would have harvests sub­ quent below nor mal rainfall resulted in stantially lower than the pre-war years, predic­ drought conditions in that region and in the tions for the Gu crop in the country’s sorghum northwestern part of the country. Areas partic­ belt in 2000 were for one of the best in post- ularly hard-hit by the drought included Gedo, war years. The relatively good Gu rains also Lower Juba, Bay, Bakool, and Hirran in south- led to improved grazing and livestock condi­ ern Somalia and Awdal, Togdheer, and Sanaag tions. in the northwest. The main Gu cereal crop, Although the available food supply for accounting for between 75% and 80% of the drought-affected populations was expected to annual agricultural production in normal years, improve soon after the harvest, pockets of vul­ was 29% below the post-war average in 1999. nerability remained. Many agro-pastoralists An estimated 750,000 people were vulnerable who rely on rain-fed crop production and had as a result of the drought, while another been displaced by the war still suf fered the 450,000 were inter nally displaced and more cumulative effects of three consecutive years of than 300,000 remained as refugees in neigh- crop failure, low livestock levels, and poor boring countries. Anticipating the need for market access. Nutritional surveys conducted continuing emergency humanitarian assistance in southern Somalia during July 2000 reported in FY 2000, U.S. Ambassador Johnnie Carson that global malnutrition was more than 20%, redeclared a disaster for Somalia on October despite successful food distributions. 28, 1999. According to UNICEF, diarrhea and acute res­ piratory infections were possible factors con­ tributing to the high rate of malnutrition. CARE and WFP continued free food distributions to A child receives an vulnerable populations; but, with the improved immunization outlook for local food production, they began shot at a to concentrate more on food-for -work pro- USAID/OFDA- grams that would assist in rehabilitating the funded clinic in rural infrastructure. Somalia (photo by The positive impact of the Gu rains on live- Mikaela Meredith, stock production was compromised by Saudi USAID/OFDA). Arabia’s September 18 ban on the import of livestock from East Africa and Yemen. This was prompted by an outbreak of Rift V alley Fever in a town in the southwester n region of Saudi Arabia. The ban had a substantial impact on Somalia’s economy, which is based on live- stock production and export. Improved security conditions in many regions of Somalia allowed for population returns and the resumption of far ming activi­ ties. However , incidents of inter -clan attacks and banditry continued to occur in FY 2000, threatening the safety of Somalis and relief workers. An armed attack on two WHO work­ ers in Merka on September 19 rendered the town temporarily inaccessible to U.N. workers. Fighting between the Hawadly and the Galjeel surged throughout the Shabelle V alley in late FY 2000. Jowhar was plagued by banditry and fighting, and remained isolated from relief

OFDA FY 2000 41 AFRICA

sector, USAID/OFDA provided approximately $4.3 million to fund UNICEF, IMC, Aktion Africa Hilfe, and FAO for immunization and mater nal health programs, training of health workers, provi­ sion of medical equipment and essential medicines, therapeutic and supplementary feeding pro- grams, and nutritional surveil- lance. These health and nutrition activities benefited some two million beneficiaries throughout Somalia. USAID/OFDA also pro­ vided nearly $1.9 million in logistics support to UNICEF for air transport and to UNDP to increase the capacity of the ports in Bossasso and Berbera. USAID/FFP delivered 10,320 MT of P.L. 480 Title II emergency food assistance to drought-affect­ ed populations and 13,680 MT to the war-affected in calendar year 2000. This included carry-over emergency food commodities from FY 1999. The FY 2000 USAID/FFP contribution of 18,000 MT through CARE was valued at $11.5 million. USAID/FFP also contributed approximately $8 million to the WFP appeal for food aid to refugees from the region, including Somalis in Kenya, Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Yemen. State/PRM pro­ vided $1.3 million to UNHCR, IRC, and SC/US to support reintegration programs for Somali returnees in northwest Somalia. State/PRM also granted nearly $11 million for assistance to Somali refugees in Djibouti, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Eritrea.

USAID/OFDA ASSISTANCE ....$8,388,598 *OTHER USG ASSISTANCE ..$12,831,993 (top) Construction workers and U.N. humanitarian operations. In on a well project in addition, accessibility to Mogadishu was *TOTAL USG ASSISTANCE ....$21,220,591 Somalia funded by restricted due to insecurity and hostage-taking. USAID/OFDA (photo USAID/OFDA assistance to Somalia totaled *These funding figures do not reflect $95.6 by Mikaela Meredith, approximately $8.4 million in FY 2000 for million in regional funding provided by USAID/OFDA). emergency water, health, nutrition, and logisti­ State/PRM to UNHCR, WFP, and ICRC for refugees and returnees throughout Africa. (above) Women cal support. Of this amount, nearly $2.3 million collect water at the was provided in grants to ADRA, UNICEF , site of a ACF/F, and NPA for water and sanitation activ­ USAID/OFDA-funded ities in Benadir , Bakool, Bay, T ogdheer, and well project in Bari regions. These interventions, benefiting Somalia (photo by more than 350,000 people, included rehabilitat­ Mikaela Meredith, ing wells and boreholes, constructing pit USAID/OFDA). latrines, and training and equipping water pump operators. In the health and nutrition

42 OFDA FY 2000 AFRICA

ing and personal property, damage to roads, Southern Africa other infrastructure, and agriculture was wide- FLOODS spread. The damage to schools was estimated at $20.8 million. Estimates issued by the GRM’s igher than seasonal average rainfall, Ministry of Agriculture and Development as of coupled with four consecutive days of March 24, 2000 indicated that 134,250 families Htorrential rains in early February 2000, had lost approximately 141,400 hectares of caused severe flooding in several countries in crops. southern Africa. Reports indicated that this was On February 7, 2000, U.S. Ambassador the worst flooding in the region in several Brian D. Curran declared a disaster in decades. In addition, Cyclone Leon-Eline Mozambique due to the ef fects of the floods. passed through the region from February 20- USAID/OFDA provided $25,000 through 26, bringing heavy rains and wind to previous­ ly af fected areas. Reservoir releases in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Zambia in late February exacerbated the problem, as did continued heavy rains following the passage of T ropical Storm Gloria in early March. In early April, Cyclone Hudah struck Madagascar and Mozambique. The floods affected an estimated four million people in the souther n Africa region, with more than 1,000 people killed.

MOZAMBIQUE Mozambique experienced the heaviest damage (left) A woman and loss of life of all the souther n African surveys damage to countries affected by the flooding. Vast areas of her home from the country were inundated as water levels Cyclone Hudah in reached flood stage on the Incomati, Limpopo, Mozambique (photo Buzi, Save, Pungwe, and Zambezi rivers. by Miami-Dade Fire Severely af fected areas included Maputo City Rescue Department). and Maputo Province, as well as the provinces (below) Aerial view of Gaza, Inhambane, Sofala, and Manica. The of a flood-affected seasonal rainfall in Mozambique that caused area in Mozam­ the disastrous flooding far exceeded nor mal bique (photo by levels. According to the Gover nment of Miami-Dade Fire Mozambique (GRM), precipitation from Rescue Department). January through March in Maputo, Inhambane, Gaza, and Xai Xai provinces were two to six times their normal averages. Hundreds of thousands of people fled their homes and villages in an attempt to escape the rapidly rising floodwaters. Many of them were left clinging to rooftops or treetops, or were stranded on isolated patches of dry land, await­ ing rescue. At least 640 Mozambicans perished, according to GRM figures released on March 17, 2000. The GRM also reported that more than two million people suf fered severe eco­ nomic hardships because of the floods; and, of that total, more than one million required food aid or medical assistance. As of March 17, 2000, 457,578 displaced persons were living in 117 accommodation centers and 16 isolated settlements. In addition to the massive losses in hous­

OFDA FY 2000 43 AFRICA

USAID/Maputo to MSF/Swiss-Luxembour g for des Hommes to repair and restock tar geted emergency relief activities. USAID/OFDA health care facilities in Gaza and Sofala deployed a two-person assessment team to provinces. In addition, USAID/OFDA supplied Maputo on February 12. In response to the $6,000 worth of anti-malarial drugs to the deteriorating situation, USAID/OFDA deployed GRM’s Ministry of Health. a USAID/DART to Maputo on March 1 to assess USAID/FFP contributed 8,030 MT of P .L. humanitarian needs, report on the situation, 480 Title II emer gency food commodities, val­ and coordinate assistance with relief agencies ued at $5.7 million, to WFP in Mozambique. and other donors. The initial 34-member USAID/Maputo provided $1.8 million in grants USAID/DART included health specialists from for emergency repair of infrastructure, such as the CDC as well as water and sanitation rail lines and electrical systems. experts. A 16-member Miami-Dade Emer gency In response to a request by the U.S. Search and Rescue (SAR) team and a five-mem­ Embassy in Maputo, DOD deployed a ber U.S. Coast Guard Water Search and Rescue Humanitarian Assistance Survey T eam (HAST) team also became part of the USAID/DAR T. A to Mozambique and South Africa on February second 12-member Miami-Dade SAR joined the 17, 2000. On March 5, 2000, the U.S. European USAID/DART on April 10, 2000, in anticipation Command (EUCOM) deployed a Joint T ask of Cyclone Hudah’s landfall. USAID/OFDA Force (JTF) to the region. Using military heli­ provided a total of nearly $2.2 million in sup- copters, boats, and C-130 aircraft, DOD per­ port of the two Miami-Dade SAR operations, sonnel performed search and rescue missions, U.S. Coast Guard operations, and the adminis­ conducted aerial assessments, and distributed trative and personnel costs of the emergency relief supplies. DOD-chartered USAID/DART. flights also delivered an estimated 40 MT of In addition, USAID/OFDA shipped to WFP high-energy biscuits from USAID/OFDA’s Mozambique 489,600 sq. ft. of plastic sheeting, stockpile in Pisa, Italy, for distribution to flood 6,000 five-gallon water containers, and 6,000 victims in Mozambique. The JTF worked to wool blankets from its stockpiles via DOD air- optimize cooperation between the numerous craft, at a cost of $85,100. USAID/OFDA also military and civilian aviation assets by setting provided nearly $400,000 to WFP for the pur­ up an Air Operations Center in Maputo. The chase and delivery of sandbags, shovels, JTF delivered more than 1,000 MT of emer­ wheelbarrows, and cooking sets for flood vic­ gency food, household items, and medicine to tims. Through grants to AirServ and WFP , the districts of Buzi, Machanga, and Chibabana. USAID/OFDA provided a total of $4.5 million DOD’s activities were valued at $21 million. for air operations, including the leasing of 13 aircraft used in rescue and relief activities. USAID/OFDA ASSISTANCE ..$10,312,584 To improve food security, USAID/OFDA OTHER USG ASSISTANCE ....$28,526,400 provided WFP $1 million for the local and TOTAL USG ASSISTANCE...... $38,838,984 regional procurement of emergency food for a one-month food distribution. USAID/OFDA also provided $813,000 to W orld Relief and CARE for seeds and tools programs in Gaza BOTSWANA and Inhambane provinces, which benefited a Botswana received heavy rains in the north- total of 33,640 families. east, central, east, and souther n districts. The USAID/OFDA also supported WV and most severely affected districts were in the east ACF/F with $550,520 for seeds and tools and and south, where more than two-thirds of emergency water and sanitation activities in Botswana’s population is concentrated. The Sofala Province. SC/US received $132,000 to Government of Botswana’s (GOB) National provide emer gency health and agriculture Disaster Management Of fice reported 94,000 activities in Gaza Province for approximately people affected and 15,730 homes damaged or 55,000 beneficiaries. USAID/OFDA purchased destroyed following the rains and flooding and shipped WHO emer gency health kits, val­ associated with Cyclone Leon-Eline and ued at $51,502, to Mozambique for use by Tropical Stor m Gloria. Thousands of hectares SC/US, SCF/UK, and W orld Relief to help the of cropland also were submer ged due to the GRM’s Ministry of Health replenish its stocks of floods. medicine and medical supplies. Grants also On February 16, 2000, U.S. Ambassador were provided to Samaritan’s Purse and T erre John Lange declared a disaster for Botswana

44 OFDA FY 2000 AFRICA due to the ef fects of the floods. USAID/OFDA Chipinge and Chimanimani (Manicaland provided $25,000 through USAID/Gaborone to Province) in easter n and souther n Zimbabwe. the Botswana National Disaster Management Along the Save River valley in easter n Office for the procurement of emergency sani­ Zimbabwe, crops were swept away or com­ tation systems for displaced populations. pletely submerged under mud and sand. The On March 12, USAID/OFDA deployed a roads into Chipinge District also were dam- field of ficer to Botswana to assist with flood aged severely or obstructed by debris. The assessments and response efforts. A water and U.N. and the Government of Zimbabwe report­ sanitation specialist joined the field of ficer on ed that 100 people died and 116,000 people March 14. From March 13-17, the two were impacted by the flooding. Of those affect­ USAID/OFDA team members conducted needs ed, 20,000 were living in temporary accommo­ assessments in eastern Botswana. dation centers. USAID/OFDA also procured and transported On February 28, 2000, U.S. Ambassador 72,000 sq. ft. of plastic sheeting and six water Thomas McDonald issued a disaster declara­ testing kits. The plastic sheeting and water test­ tion for Zimbabwe due to the ef fects of the ing kits were provided to USAID/Gaborone for floods. USAID/OFDA responded by providing use in flood-affected areas. $25,000 through USAID/Harare to the Zimbabwean Red Cross in support of its relief USAID/OFDA ASSISTANCE...... $46,244 activities. In addition, USAID/OFDA provided $144,780 to CRS for the provision of non-food emergency relief supplies, such as cooking utensils, blankets, and water containers, to SOUTH AFRICA 15,000 people in the most adversely af fected Floods affected Northern, Mpumalanga, areas of Zimbabwe. Eastern Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal provinces, damaging houses, farms, dams, as well as elec­ USAID/OFDA ASSISTANCE...... $169,199 tricity, water, telephone, and sewage systems. Mpumalanga and Northern provinces were the most severely af fected, where more than 340 schools were damaged or destroyed. An esti­ MADAGASCAR mated 100 people died as a result of the flood­ Heavy rains and winds from Cyclones Leon- ing, and thousands were left homeless. Eline and Hudah affected five eastern districts, Damage to infrastructure was estimated at two wester n districts, and all districts in $39.4 million. Antananarivo Province. The Gover nment of On February 16, 2000, U.S. Ambassador Madagascar’s National Disaster Unit reported Delano Lewis declared a disaster for South that the districts on Madagascar’s easter n coast Africa due to extensive flooding that severely between Vatomandry and Mahanoro suf fered affected northeastern South Africa and resulted the most damage. An estimated 90% of cash in the displacement of several small, isolated and food crops and 65% of houses were populations. In response, USAID/OFDA pro­ destroyed, and 75% of health facilities were vided $25,000 through USAID/Pretoria to the damaged. Approximately 210 people died and South African Red Cross for the local purchase 278,000 people were affected. and distribution of blankets, emer gency food, On March 9, 2000, U.S. Ambassador Shirley and other emer gency non-food relief supplies Barnes declared a disaster for Madagascar due to 3,000 displaced persons in Norther n and to damage from the torrential rains and winds. Mpumalanga provinces. USAID/OFDA provided $25,000 to CRS for the provision of potable water and the clearance USAID/OFDA ASSISTANCE...... $25,000 and rehabilitation of major roads. A USAID/OFDA regional advisor arrived in Madagascar on March 10 to coordinate and conduct damage and needs assessments with ZIMBABWE USAID/Antananarivo staf f. A USAID/OFDA The rains and flooding associated with Cyclone water/sanitation specialist and USAID/FFP offi­ Leon-Eline and T ropical Storm Gloria af fected cer arrived in Madagascar on March 17 to assist the districts of Chiredzi (Masvingo Province), with the assessments. Plumtree (Matebeleland South Province), and USAID/OFDA provided $400,000 to WFP

OFDA FY 2000 45 AFRICA

to support the operation of two helicopters in lion in the transitional zone and southern areas. conducting reconnaissance missions and deliv­ Sudanese refugees in neighboring countries ering emer gency food and non-food relief numbered more than 400,000. Sudan also host­ items to af fected populations. USAID/OFDA ed refugees from other countries, including also provided $421,000 to CRS for the imple­ more than 147,000 Eritrean refugees registered mentation of emergency health and water proj­ in Sudan as of January 2000. With the outbreak ects, including the distribution of seeds and of new fighting between Ethiopia and Eritrea in 500,000 packets of oral rehydration salts to May 2000, another group of Eritrean refugees 15,000 families. A USAID/OFDA field of ficer (estimated at more than 90,000 people) fled to traveled to Madagascar on March 23 to replace eastern Sudan. On November 8, 1999, due to the outgoing USAID/OFDA regional advisor . continued conflict, population displacements, The water/sanitation specialist and the field food insecurity, and the Sudanese population’s officer departed Madagascar on April 2. general vulnerability, U.S. Char gé d’Af faires On April 4, a USAID/OFDA regional advi­ Donald G. Teitelbaum redeclared a disaster for sor was re-deployed to Antananarivo to assess Sudan and requested continued USG emer­ the situation following Cyclone Hudah’s land- gency assistance during FY 2000. fall in norther n Madagascar. The water/sanita­ Insecurity remained the leading constraint tion specialist returned to Madagascar on April to humanitarian access. Fighting erupted in 6 and a USAID/OFDA infor mation of ficer May 2000 between GOS and SPLA/M forces in arrived in Antananarivo on April 11. Bahr el Ghazal Province in violation of a cease- USAID/OFDA procured and transported fire in effect since 1998. In reaction to SPLA/M 1,200,000 sq. ft. of plastic sheeting, 10,000 five- gains, the GOS dramatically intensified bomb­ gallon water containers, and four Zodiac boats ings, tar geting civilian locations. The GOS to Madagascar at a total cost of $327,573. The bombed the U.N.’s Operation Lifeline Sudan relief commodities and the Zodiac boats were (OLS) and ICRC aircraft on the ground, in a consigned to CARE, which distributed the relief move that was unprecedented and violated a commodities in Antalaha and used the boats to 1989 agreement by the GOS and SPLA/M not to deliver emergency supplies to isolated popula­ target OLS operations. In August, GOS planes tions. All USAID/OFDA team members depart­ dropped 18 bombs near U.N. facilities at ed Madagascar on April 23. USAID/FFP con­ Mapel, causing the U.N. to temporarily suspend tributed 1,160 MT of P.L. 480 Title II emergency OLS operations. WFP evacuated relief workers food commodities, valued at $793,300, to from the area due to the targeting of relief facil­ WFP’s emergency operations plan in ities, and the bombing campaign led ICRC and Madagascar. NGOs to curtail activities in portions of Bahr el Ghazal. USAID/OFDA ASSISTANCE ....$2,099,322 On June 28, the U.S. Department of State expressed concer n over continued cease-fire OTHER USG ASSISTANCE ...... $793,300 violations in Bahr el Ghazal by the GOS and TOTAL USG ASSISTANCE...... $2,892,622 SPLA/M, war ning that a spread of fighting could lead to a major new humanitarian crisis. U.S. Department of State officials called on the GOS and SPLA/M to cease all attacks and honor their cease-fire commitments. The Sudan Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Association (SRRA) warned that a food crisis was imminent in COMPLEX EMERGENCY southern Sudan because the bombing cam­ paign was interfering with the emergency food he long-running armed conflict between delivery operations of relief agencies. A July the Gover nment of Sudan (GOS) and SPLA/M offensive in Bahr el Ghazal, including T the Sudan People's Liberation Army and the seizure of towns in the northern part of the Movement (SPLA/M) continued through FY province and the blockage of an important 2000. An estimated two million people have GOS supply route, raised fears of substantial died in Sudan from fighting, famine, and dis­ new displacements of residents living in the ease since 1983. During FY 2000, there were an province. estimated four million IDPs in Sudan, including In July, two U.N. planes made the first two million in greater Khartoum and 1.2 mil- relief airlifts to the SPLA/M-controlled area of

46 OFDA FY 2000 AFRICA

the Nuba Mountains in more than a decade. from the Ethiopia-Eritrea conflict. In the health Sudanese school The GOS, which under the terms of the tripar­ sector, a rapid assessment in Equatoria, Bahr el children share tite agreement has veto power over OLS Ghazal, and Upper Nile found that infectious their village’s access, had not previously allowed OLS flights diseases accounted for more than 75% of all problems (photo by into the area. (Non-OLS relief agencies, includ­ reported illnesses, and that among these, Mikaela Meredith, ing USAID/OFDA’s implementing partners malaria and diarr heal diseases were responsi­ USAID/OFDA). working in providing potable water and food ble for nearly 40% of the total cases reported. security, could access the Nuba Mountain Severe health and nutrition problems were region through non-OLS air transport.) reported in Bieh State, in southeaster n Upper An eruption of fighting in Upper Nile in Nile, which had an estimated population of mid-summer displaced tens of thousands of 200,000, and lacked potable water and health people to Bentiu and Rubkona, with an esti­ mated 19,000 people arriving during the last four days of July. According to the U.N., relief organizations warned that the new IDP influx An estimated two million people have could sharply exacerbate existing food short- died in Sudan from fighting, famine, and ages. A July 6 alert from MSF warned that glob­ al malnutrition rates in Padeah, an isolated dis­ disease since 1983. During FY 2000, trict in Western Upper Nile where conflict had there were an estimated four million displaced nearly 75% of the population, were at 35%, and approximately half of these cases IDPs in Sudan, including two million in were severely malnourished. MSF also report­ greater Khartoum and 1.2 million in the ed that conflict in Padeah had displaced near­ ly 75% of the population. The U.N. reported on transitional zone and southern areas. August 21 that WFP had started emer gency food distributions to the new IDP arrivals in Bentiu and Rubkona. services in most districts. Nearly 2.4 million people, mostly in the In FY 2000, USAID/OFDA provided more south, depended on emergency food deliveries than $22 million in emer gency humanitarian during FY 2000 due to crop losses, civil strife- assistance to Sudan. USAID/OFDA assistance related displacements, and refugee influxes was provided to ACF/F, ACROSS, ADRA, ARC,

OFDA FY 2000 47 AFRICA

CARE, Christian Mission Aid, Concer n, CRS, USAID/OFDA ASSISTANCE ..$22,023,691 GOAL, IAS/MEDIC, IFRC, IRC, MEDAIR, NP A, *OTHER USG ASSISTANCE ..$78,168,354 SC/US, SCF/UK, UNICEF , V eterinarios sin *TOTAL USG ASSISTANCE ..$100,192,045 Fronteras/Belgium (VSF/B), and VSF/G addressing humanitarian needs in health, *These funding figures do not reflect $95.6 water/sanitation, food security, agriculture, and million in regional funding provided by livelihoods. USAID/OFDA also supported State/PRM to UNHCR, WFP, and ICRC for humanitarian coordination through refugees and returnees throughout Africa. UNICEF/OLS. USAID/OFDA’s funding addressed humanitarian needs in opposition- controlled areas of Sudan, as well as tar geted, war-affected beneficiaries in the GOS-held sec­ tors. USAID/OFDA’s funding programs in FY 2000 continued a strategic shift from relatively stable areas to traditionally underserved Uganda regions, including Upper Nile, the Nuba COMPLEX EMERGENCY Mountains, souther n Blue Nile, and easter n Sudan. he insecurity and population displace­ USAID/FFP provided 35,090 MT of P.L. 480 ments caused by rebel attacks in north- Title II emergency food aid in FY 2000, valued Tern and wester n Uganda continued in Beneficiaries await at $33.4 million. USDA contributed 39,800 MT FY 2000. Since 1997, when the insur gencies supplemental of Section 416(b) food valued at $36,500,000. intensified, hundreds of thousands of people feeding at a USAID’s Africa Bureau provided $3 million for have taken refuge in villages and camps estab­ USAID/OFDA- the Sudan Transitional Assistance for lished by local gover nment officials under the funded feeding Rehabilitation (STAR) program, which supports protection of the Gover nment of Uganda’s project site in capacity-building ef forts in opposition-held (GOU) military force (UPDF). Sudan (photo by areas. State/PRM provided UNHCR and IFRC In the norther n districts of Gulu and Mikaela Meredith, with more than $1.6 million to assist refugees Kitgum, the Lord’s Resistance Ar my (LRA) USAID/OFDA) in Sudan. resumed its insurgency in December 1999 after several months of relative calm. The renewed fighting forced many IDPs, who had ventured from the camps to reclaim their homes, to seek safety in the IDP camps once again. Rebel activity also increased in the wester n districts of Bundibugyo, Kabarole, and Kasese where the faction known as the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) intensified its campaign. In carry­ ing out their campaigns of terror, both factions resorted to the use of ambushes, raids, and landmines. They attacked villages and IDP camps, looted and bur ned shelters, and abducted and killed civilians, many of them children. Other insur gent groups operated in the W est Nile region, which sheltered more than 156,000 Sudanese refugees. The Ugandan factions were harbored and supported by the GOS in retaliation for Uganda’s alleged support of resistance groups in Sudan. The GOU passed a law in January 2000 of fering amnesty to surrendering combatants, but the legislation was slow to be implemented and did not result in an appreciable reduction in fighting by the end of FY 2000. A further consequence of the periodic pop­ ulation displacements was the disruption in agricultural activity and the resulting food inse-

48 OFDA FY 2000 AFRICA curity in the areas of conflict. Although some that would drill 16 boreholes, rehabilitate five IDPs were able to leave the camps during the traditional water sources, and construct a grav­ day to tend to their crops, many others were ity flow system. forced to abandon their plots of land. The USAID/FFP contributed a total of 14,915 unpredictability of ar med raids and the fre­ MT of P .L. 480 Title II emer gency food com­ quent movement of IDPs in and out of the modities, valued at more than $8.7 million. camps also prevented an accurate assessment State/PRM provided $5,265,299 through of the size of camp populations and, therefore, UNHCR, WFP, and IRC to support assistance of their needs. UNOCHA estimated the number of conflict-af fected people at 824,346 as of February 2000. This number included 197,584 The unpredictability of armed raids refugees sheltered in Uganda, 621,958 IDPs, and 4,804 abducted, and still missing, children. and the frequent movement of IDPs Relief agencies attempted to respond to identi­ in and out of the camps also fied needs for food assistance and the provi­ sion of potable water and sanitation in the prevented an accurate assessment of camps and affected villages. However, because the size of camp populations and, of the insecurity of road travel, their relief operations were often reduced or curtailed therefore, of their needs. during periods of intense rebel activity. In addition to the civil crisis in Uganda, parts of the country experienced a severe and protection programs for Sudanese, drought in FY 2000. Dry conditions in the Congolese, and Rwandan refugees in Uganda. northeastern districts of Moroto and Kotido left State/PRM also contributed $220,000 to the 250,000 people at risk, according to a IFRC for Ugandan Red Cross assistance to WFP/NGO assessment in December 1999. As refugees from DRC and Rwanda. access to grazing decreased, the pastoralists of those districts migrated with their cattle to USAID/OFDA ASSISTANCE ....$1,973,372 other areas, including easter n Kitgum and *OTHER USG ASSISTANCE ..$14,237,299 northeastern Lira districts, with resulting con­ flicts between local residents and the encroach­ *TOTAL USG ASSISTANCE ....$16,210,671 ing pastoralists. Insecurity remained high in the region as sporadic inter -clan clashes, killings, *These funding figures do not reflect $95.6 and cross-border raids between Uganda and million in regional funding provided by Kenya pastoralists continued during FY 2000. State/PRM to UNHCR, WFP, and ICRC for Rains in August improved crop cultivation and refugees and returnees throughout Africa. access to pastures, decreasing but not eliminat­ ing the need for food assistance in Moroto and Kotido. On October 29, 1999, U.S. Ambassador Martin G. Brennan redeclared a disaster for Uganda, citing the continuing humanitarian needs that existed in FY 2000. USAID/OFDA provided assistance totaling nearly $2 million. This included $480,020 for IRC to increase access to potable water and improve latrine systems in Kitgum District; $314,540 for AAH/USA to provide potable water in 14 IDP camps in Gulu District; $321,830 to MEDAIR to provide a water and sanitation project in Kotido District; $233,000 to CRS to provide resettlement packages and quality seeds to populations in easter n Kitgum and northeast- ern Lira displaced by the pastoralist’s incursion; and a $145,726 grant to AAH/USA for an emer­ gency water program in Bundibugyo District

OFDA FY 2000 49 Asia and the Pacific ASIA AND THE P ACIFIC their homes before the second, stronger earth- China quake occurred. The Gover nment of the EARTHQUAKE People’s Republic of China reported that 100,000 people were displaced, 400 residents wo earthquakes, measuring 5.9 and 6.5 were seriously injured, and approximately on the Richter Scale, occurred in China's 300,000 buildings were damaged or destroyed Tsouthwestern Yunnan Province on as a result of the earthquakes. Damage to January 15, 2000. More than 1,000 aftershocks office buildings, bridges, telecommunications, followed, including one on January 22 measur­ roads, primary schools, electrical systems, and (opposite) Homes ing 4.0 on the Richter Scale. The epicenter of earthen dams was significant. The most seri­ destroyed by the earthquakes was in Yaoan County. ously af fected areas were located in remote floodwaters in Only seven people were killed, in part mountainous regions. As a result, emer gency Indonesia (photo due to the fact that most residents had fled relief assistance was slow to arrive and was courtesy of IFRC).

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OFDA FY 2000 51 ASIA AND THE P ACIFIC provided principally by the People's Liberation due to the damage caused by the effects of the Army and local police units. cyclone. USAID/OFDA responded by providing On January 31, U.S. Ambassador Joseph $25,000 through USAID/New Delhi to the Prueher issued a disaster declaration due to Prime Minister's National Relief Fund to meet damage caused by the earthquakes. the immediate needs of af fected persons. USAID/OFDA responded by providing $25,000 Following an assessment by a USAID/OFDA through the U.S. Embassy to Heart to Heart, a regional advisor, USAID/OFDA provided U.S.-based NGO with offices in nearby Sichuan $107,000 through USAID/New Delhi to CARE Province. Heart to Heart used the funds to pro- for the local purchase of plastic sheeting to pro- vide shelter materials to assist earthquake vic­ vide temporary shelter for cyclone victims. tims in rebuilding their homes. Subsequently, USAID/OFDA provided $3.2 mil- lion for the provision of emer gency household USAID/OFDA ASSISTANCE...... $25,000 kits, seeds and tools for kitchen gardens, and potable water to 400,000 beneficiaries in the most-affected districts. Of this funding, $2 mil- lion was provided through USAID/New Delhi to CARE and $1.2 million to CRS. In addition to USAID/OFDA assistance, USAID/FFP provided 10,380 MT of P .L. 480 India Title II emergency food assistance to CARE and CRS to meet the emer gency food needs of 1.2 CYCLONE million cyclone victims. This USAID/FFP assis­ tance, valued at $4.15 million, included 4,500 n October 18 -19, 1999, a severe MT of cor n-soya blend, 1,080 MT of vegetable cyclone hit the easter n coast of India, oil, and 4,800 MT of bulgur wheat. Ocausing floods and wind damage in Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, and W est Bengal USAID/OFDA ASSISTANCE ....$3,302,000 states. A second, lar ger cyclone (the worst to OTHER USG ASSISTANCE ...... $4,150,000 strike India in almost 30 years) hit Orissa and TOTAL USG ASSISTANCE...... $7,563,600 West Bengal states on October 29. The most severely af fected districts were Balasore, Bhadrak, Cuttack, Ganjam, Jagatsinghpur , Jajpur, and Kendrapara. Other af fected districts included Khurda, Puri, Nayagar h, Gajapati, Keonjhar, Mayurbhang, and Dhenkanal. The Government of India’s Central Disaster Mitigation Center in the Ministry of Agriculture India reported that 9,465 people were killed and DROUGHT 2,260 residents were injured as a result of the two cyclones. UNOCHA reported that the uring the spring and summer of 2000, cyclones impacted approximately 15 million the states of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Andhra people and damaged or destroyed three million DPradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Orissa homes, leaving more than seven million people suffered from what some experts report was homeless. In addition, the cyclones damaged or the worst drought to impact the region in the destroyed 11,000 schools; killed 355,000 cattle; last 100 years. W ithin three of the five states, inundated 1,225,000 hectares of cropland; dis­ the af fected populations exceeded 90 million rupted roads and rail lines; and interrupted and cattle livestock losses surpassed 54 million electricity, water , and telecommunications. head. More specifically, 26 of 32 districts were According to a U.N. Disaster Assessment affected in Rajasthan, with 26.2 million people Coordination (UNDAC) team, emergency needs impacted in 23,406 villages; 17 of 25 districts included food, water , and medical assistance were affected in Gujarat, with 25 million peo­ and medium-ter m needs included restoration ple impacted in 9,421 villages; and 18 of 32 dis­ and rehabilitation of telecommunications, tricts were af fected in Andhra Pradesh, with houses, sanitation facilities, and schools. 41.3 million people impacted in 17,431 villages. On October 22, U.S. Ambassador Richard F. The drought particularly impacted the rural Celeste issued a disaster declaration for India poor, as previous monsoons and ensuing crop

52 OFDA FY 2000 . ASIA AND THE P ACIFIC failure left many far mers unable to meet basic with children under the age of five. needs and repay loans taken out for the previ­ According to USAID/Delhi, CRS diverted ous year's planting season. The Gover nment of 3,280 MT of P.L. 480 Title II bulgur wheat and India (GOI) instituted a lar ge-scale work pro- 190 MT of vegetable oil, valued at $1,164,840, gram to help families cope, but these were from ongoing projects for the implementation short-term in nature and were not able to of emergency food-for-work projects in address all of the needs of vulnerable families. Rajasthan and Gujarat states. These food-for - Unable to purchase basic necessities, many work projects benefited some 102,498 laborers farmers migrated in search of employment and and their families, and supported rehabilitation attempted to sell their cattle for cash, but found of the water harvesting system and construction few jobs available and a non-existent livestock of additional water harvesting facilities. market. The principal needs of the af fected Similarly, CARE diverted 915 MT of P .L. 480 populations included potable water , animal Title II cor n-soya blend and 114 MT of veg­ fodder, and food. Although adequate supplies etable oil, valued at $446,325, from ongoing of these basic commodities were available in projects to assist 122,500 drought-af fected ben­ India, difficulties in the distribution system pro­ eficiaries in Rajasthan State. hibited suf ficient quantities from reaching tar­ geted communities. Although the GOI provided USAID/OFDA ASSISTANCE ....$1,027,539 subsidized food to the rural poor during the OTHER USG ASSISTANCE ...... $1,611,165 drought, the market price of food remained beyond the purchasing power of those most TOTAL USG ASSISTANCE...... $2,649,477 marginalized. On May 4, U.S. Ambassador Richard F . Celeste issued a disaster declaration due to the effects of the drought in India. In response, USAID/OFDA provided an initial $25,000 through USAID/New Delhi to the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund to assist the India GOI’s drought relief ef forts. USAID/OFDA also FLOODS dispatched a regional advisor to conduct an assessment of the conditions and needs in orrential rainfall during the southwest Work completed on Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Orissa states. The monsoon that began in June 2000 led to a village pond USAID/OFDA assessment revealed the need to Tdisastrous flooding in several states in project funded by regenerate purchasing power to enable vil­ India, including Assam, Bihar, Himachal USAID/OFDA in lagers to buy the basic goods that they lacked. Pradesh, and West Bengal. More than 22 million India (photo Based on the recommendations of the people were affected in the four states, and the courtesy of World assessment, USAID/OFDA provided $943,325 death toll reached 867. Vision). through USAID/New Delhi ($523,000 to WV and $420,325 to CARE) for the implementation of cash-for-work projects. These projects bene­ fited approximately 25,000 of the most-af fected families living in Jaisalmer , Bar mer, Modhpur, and Pali districts of Rajasthan State. Activities focused on creating and rehabilitating water retention infrastructure to increase livelihood security and storage capacity within the existing water-harvesting system, improving the health status of livestock, and decreasing rural-urban migration. In addition, USAID/OFDA provided $59,214 through USAID/New Delhi to CRS for the con­ struction and improvement of water harvesting structures in 95 drought-af fected villages in Gujarat and Rajasthan states. The project bene­ fited more than 17,000 vulnerable people living in women-headed households and households

OFDA FY 2000 53 ASIA AND THE P ACIFIC In Assam, water in the Beki River was at its tions and power supplies disrupted. More than highest level since 1978. The Gover nment of 1 million hectares of crops, with an estimated India estimated that more than 3.6 million peo­ value of $220 million, were destroyed, and ple in 3,717 villages in 18 of the 23 districts in 800,000 homes were damaged. the state were af fected and 32 people died. The national and state governments under- The total af fected area was 443,000 hectares, took rescue and relief efforts. International aid and damage to crops was estimated at $54.3 agencies, including PVOs/NGOs and the WFP million. distributed food, shelter materials, and non- Flooding in the Kosi and Ghandak rivers in food relief items to the flood victims. Bihar affected an estimated 3.5 million people On August 21, 2000, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires in 1,950 villages in 20 districts across the north- Albert Thibault declared a disaster due to the ern part of the state and took at least 35 lives. extensive flooding in Assam, Bihar , and Approximately 296,000 hectares were af fected Hamachal Pradesh. USAID/OFDA responded by the overflow from the rivers, and crop dam- with a $25,000 contribution to the Prime age was assessed at $4.5 million. Minister’s National Relief Fund to support In Himachal Pradesh, flash floods in the relief activities in the flood-af fected areas. As Sutlej River on the night of July 31 caused the the flooding spread to W est Bengal, U.S. water level to rise from the Tibetan Plateau to Ambassador Richard Celeste requested from Gobindsagar Lake in Bilaspur District. A USAID/OFDA and received an additional reported 150 people perished in the flood, and $25,000 contribution to the Prime Minister’s damage to roads, bridges, and property totaled Relief Fund. In addition, USAID/OFDA provid­ an estimated $218 million. ed $111,600 for AmRC to supply emer gency The monsoon floods later spread to W est kits to 30,000 victims in Assam. Bengal State, af fecting 15 million people and CRS and CARE distributed a total of 2,300 killing 650. The dischar ge of water from the MT of emergency food commodities from their Massenjore Dam and Tilpara Barrage during a regular USAID/FFP development programs to period of heavy rain caused flooding in sever­ flood victims. The food was valued at more al districts of the state. The cresting waters than $1 million. inundated lar ge areas of the state capital, Calcutta. Widespread damage to homes, prop­ USAID/OFDA ASSISTANCE...... $161,600 erty, livestock, and crops was reported. Rail OTHER USG ASSISTANCE ...... $1,014,500 and road links were cut and telecommunica­ TOTAL USG ASSISTANCE...... $1,176,100

Cash-for-work laborers enlarging a pond in Luno Ki Basti village of Same Block in India (photo courtesy of World Vision).

54 OFDA FY 2000 ASIA AND THE P ACIFIC Indonesia COMPLEX EMERGENCY

ince 1998, political uncertainties and acute economic crises have resulted in growing Sunrest throughout the Indonesian archi­ pelago. This unrest, compounded by escalating and increasingly violent and widespread sec­ tarian and ethnic conflict, has fostered human­ itarian emer gencies in Kalimantan, Timor , Aceh, Sulawesi, the Malukus, and Irian Jaya. During FY 2000, violence in Indonesia killed hundreds of people and left more than 800,000 people displaced. In Timor, the humanitarian situation quick­ ly deteriorated in the last quarter of FY 1999, following the U.N.-sanctioned vote for Timorese independence in August 1999. In opposition to the outcome of this referendum, pro-integrationist militias rampaged through and plundered numerous towns in East Timor. They looted and bur ned private and public property, destroyed entire towns, killed hun­ dreds of East Timorese, and drove an addition­ al 450,000 from their homes (200,000 of whom mentary health care network; ensuring potable East Timor refugees fled to the surrounding hills and jungles of East water where a water system had been at a camp along Timor and another 250,000 of whom fled to destroyed or damaged; revitalizing communi­ the West Timor West Timor , other areas of Indonesia, and ties through education programs, providing border (photo by neighboring countries). psycho-social trauma counseling, and develop­ Julienne The international relief community quickly ing micro-credit schemes; and repairing and Vaillancourt, mobilized to provide assistance to the East reconstructing approximately 35,000 residential USAID/OFDA). Timorese. On September 15, 1999, the U.N. houses. By spring 2000, although emer gency Security Council voted unanimously to send a relief assistance and repatriation ef forts were peacekeeping force (totaling approximately ongoing, the emphasis of the inter national 7,500 troops) to East Timor. This force, termed relief response in East Timor had shifted to the International Force for East Timor (INTER­ rehabilitation and reconstruction. At the close FET), gained political control of East Timor on of FY 2000, approximately 170,000 East September 27, at which time it began securing Timorese had repatriated and most were well militia strongholds. Soon thereafter, relief agen­ on their way to rebuilding their lives. cies arrived in East Timor to provide for the In West Timor, where an estimated 245,000 humanitarian needs of the East Timorese. East Timorese refugees were registered at some On October 8, UNHCR began to for mally 37 camps (principally in the districts of Kupang repatriate East Timorese refugees from W est and Belu) at the height of the emer gency, Timor and elsewhere, with the logistical sup- 90,000 - 100,000 refugees remained at the end port of the Inter national Or ganization for of FY 2000. Refugee camp conditions improved Migration (IOM). At the same time, IDPs in East throughout the fiscal year , but inadequate Timor were beginning to leave their safe- water and sanitation facilities and unacceptable havens in the hills and retur n to their villages. levels of malnutrition remained evident. The To provide for these retur nees, UNOCHA and lack of basic needs in the camps was partly the U.N. T ransitional Authority in East Timor attributable to substantial militia activity, which identified six main areas for assistance: facili­ limited international NGOs from being able to tating the voluntary retur n of East Timorese gain access to camp populations. from West Timor and other locations; ensuring At the end of FY 2000, militia elements still food security through the provision of daily controlled many refugee camps and continued rations and seeds and tools; providing a rudi­ to intimidate potential returnees. The influence

OFDA FY 2000 55 ASIA AND THE P ACIFIC assessments in those accessible areas where the humanitarian situation was dire. USAID/OFDA provided more than $11.2 million in assistance in response to the com­ plex emergency in Indonesia and East Timor during FY 2000. Of this total, USAID/OFDA provided $568,174 through USAID/Jakarta to WV for emer gency assistance to IDPs and $302,000 through USAID/Jakarta to IMC for emergency health care in North Maluku. USAID/OFDA also provided $250,000 to USAID/Jakarta in support of an EDRC, who began serving in Jakarta in December 2000. A USAID/OFDA- The remainder of USAID/OFDA assistance to funded Indonesia during FY 2000 consisted of emer­ immunization gency relief projects for East and West Timor in clinic in East Timor response to the humanitarian crisis that ensued (photo by Julienne following the August 1999 vote for independ­ Vaillancourt, ence. USAID/OFDA). In September 1999, USAID/OFDA deployed a regional advisor to Dili, East Timor and a program of ficer and infor mation officer to Jakarta to assess humanitarian needs in East and West Timor, report on the current situa­ tion, and liaise with the U.S. Embassy, USAID/Jakarta, donor community, and relief organizations. USAID/OFDA staf f remained in Dili and Jakarta until December 1999, at which time USAID/OFDA began conducting periodic visits to Jakarta and East and W est Timor to monitor the humanitarian situation and progress of USAID/OFDA-funded relief proj­ ects. In addition, during FY 2000, USAID/OFDA provided approximately $10 million in grants to WFP, UNICEF , CARE, Concer n, IRC, CRS, WV, and IMC for logistical support, health activities, shelter materials, seeds and tools, mosquito nets, food commodities, and other non-food emer gency supplies to meet the basic needs of IDPs in East Timor , refugees in of the militia in West Timor was highlighted on West Timor, and retur nees. USAID/OFDA also Displaced persons September 6, 2000, when militia members spent $229,380 in FY 2000 to replenish stock- collecting water at a killed three expatriate UNHCR staf f members piles with 1,224,000 sq. ft. of plastic sheeting, USAID/OFDA- in Atambua. Following this incident, the U.N. 20,000 blankets, and 5,200 five-gallon water funded water and discontinued humanitarian assistance pro- containers provided to WFP in FY 1999 for dis­ sanitation project in grams in W est Timor . The evacuation of tribution to IDPs in East Timor and refugees in Atambua (photo by UNHCR personnel further compounded the West Timor. Julienne overall condition of the refugees. In FY 2000, USAID provided additional Vaillancourt, On October 4, 1999, U.S. Ambassador humanitarian assistance in Indonesia and East USAID/OFDA). Robert Gelbard redeclared a disaster for Timor through USAID/FFP , USAID/OTI, and Indonesia due to ongoing emergency humani­ USAID/Jakarta. USAID/FFP provided $19.7 mil- tarian needs caused by the conflict in lion for the purchase of 35,770 MT of P .L. 480 Indonesia’s strife-tor n provinces. In response, Title II emer gency food that was distributed USAID/OFDA monitored developments in par­ throughout Indonesia and East Timor by WFP, ticularly volatile provinces and conducted WV, CARE, CRS, and MCI. In addition, the

56 OFDA FY 2000 ASIA AND THE P ACIFIC USAID/FFP office in Jakarta provided $2.6 mil- Note: The funding figures for “Indonesia – lion in emergency food assistance. In FY 2000, Complex Emergency” do not include DOD USAID/OTI provided more than $21 million to assistance to INTERFET or for USGET. Nor do support projects that focused on civil society, they include funding provided by human rights, good governance, reconciliation, USAID/Jakarta toward the NCBA project. and local capacity-building. The USAID/Public Health and Nutrition (PHN) of fice in Jakarta funded approximately $3.5 million to ACF/F , WV, Project Concer n Inter national, SC/US, Uplift Inter national, and Polio for emer gency food and health assistance, primary health care, Indonesia psycho-social counseling, immunizations, and EARTHQUAKE medical supply airlifts in Indonesia and East Timor. Further more, since October 1999, n June 4, 2000 at 11:28 pm local time, USAID/Jakarta has committed $12.5 million in an earthquake measuring 7.9 on the support of the National Cooperative Business ORichter Scale occurred approximately Association (NCBA) cof fee project in East 100 kilometers southwest of the coastline of Timor. This funding has supported income gen­ Sumatra, approximately 33 kilometers below eration, employment, rehabilitation of cof fee the Earth's surface. A second earthquake, meas­ warehouses and health clinics, and repair or uring 6.7 on the Richter Scale, occurred 11 replacement of damaged processing equipment minutes later . The city of Bengkulu on the for approximately 30,000 families in East Timor. island of Sumatra and the island of Enggano During FY 2000, State/PRM provided $35 were most severely af fected by the tremors. million in funds from the Emer gency Refugee Throughout the affected areas 103 people were and Migration Assistance (ERMA) account as killed, more than 2,700 injured, and thousands well as its regional account to UNHCR, IOM, of residents were displaced from their homes in ICRC, WFP, UNICEF, and a consortium of inter- fear of additional damage that might arise national NGOs for relief assistance in East and because of aftershocks. Numerous buildings West Timor, repatriation of refugees, and rein­ were damaged; water , electricity, and tele­ tegration of returnees. phones were disrupted; roads were blocked by Within days of INTERFET’s creation, DOD landslides; and the airport was temporarily began providing critical support to INTERFET , closed due to the inoperability of navigational primarily in the areas of communications, logis­ equipment. tics, planning, airlifts, and intelligence. DOD’s On June 6, U.S. Ambassador Robert military assistance to INTERFET during FY 2000 Gelbard issued a disaster declaration for also included the deployment of approximately Indonesia due to the damage caused by the 20 Civil Af fairs military personnel from Fort earthquake. In response, USAID/OFDA provid­ Bragg to the U.N. Civil-Military Operations ed $25,000 through USAID/Jakarta to help meet Center (CMOC) in Dili and the secondment of the emer gency needs of those most severely three U.S. military of ficers to serve as military affected. The USAID/OFDA senior regional observers at UNT AET. In addition, DOD sup- advisor for Asia conducted an assessment in ported the East Timor transition to independ­ Bengkulu and on the island of Enggano ence by deploying the U.S. Support Group East between June 7-9. The assessment revealed Timor (USGET) to Dili and Darwin in February that 20% of buildings sustained damage in 2000. USGET facilitated and coordinated U.S. Bengkulu (with 5% destroyed) while 70% of military rotational operations, including period­ houses sustained damage on the island of ic ship visits that provided engineering, med­ Enggano (with 20% destroyed). The senior ical, dental, and other humanitarian and civic regional advisor deter mined that the local and assistance to the East Timorese people. international relief assistance provided was both appropriate and timely in response to the USAID/OFDA ASSISTANCE...... $11,212,545 earthquake, and that no additional USAID/OFDA assistance was required. OTHER USG ASSISTANCE...... $82,401,314 TOTAL USG ASSISTANCE ...... $93,613,859 USAID/OFDA ASSISTANCE...... $25,000

OFDA FY 2000 57 ASIA AND THE P ACIFIC Indonesia Mongolia FLOODS WINTER EMERGENCY

eavy rainfall on May 16 -17, 2000 n the summer of 1999, severe drought in caused the Benanain River to overflow Mongolia led to poor forage conditions, Hits banks, resulting in severe flooding Idepriving cattle from gaining the necessary of Malaka T engah and Malaka Barat sub-dis­ body weight to survive throughout the harsh tricts in Belu District, West Timor. According to winter of 1999. According to the State UNOCHA, 126 people died and 50,000 people Emergency Commission, approximately 1.8 (half of the af fected area's total population) million animals died in 13 af fected provinces were af fected as a result of the flooding. An as a result of cold weather and snowstor ms estimated 20,000 people required emer gency that buried rangelands, depriving livestock of relief assistance, including approximately their food source. Consequently, more than 16,000 East Timorese refugees living in camps 500,000 people (20% of the country's popula­ in West Timor , and more than 5,800 people tion) lost their source of income and food, put­ were evacuated to safety by IOM and UNHCR. ting them at risk of malnutrition and starvation. Infrastructural and agricultural losses included On March 2, U.S. Ambassador Alphonse F. the destruction of approximately 300 homes, La Porta declared a winter emer gency disaster key access bridges and roads, and the damage in Mongolia. In response, USAID/OFDA pro­ of nearly 10,000 hectares of cropland. vided $25,000 through USAID/Ulaanbaatar to On June 2, USAID/OFDA's senior regional the Mongolian Red Cross to provide emer­ advisor for Asia assessed flood damage and gency food, household commodities, and needs in Belu District. Following meetings with clothing to the most at-risk families. On April local and provincial officials and various mem­ 4, USAID/OFDA provided $657,000 through bers of the af fected population, the senior USAID/Ulaanbaatar to the IFRC. Of this total, regional advisor deter mined that immediate $636,230 was used for the purchase of wheat humanitarian needs included food, cooking flour, millet, and rice to assist those most vul­ utensils, shelter materials, agricultural tools, nerable, while $18,800 was designated for fur­ and seeds. He reported that the Government of ther IFRC assessments of the drought situation. Indonesia and various relief or ganizations, A two-person USAID/OFDA assessment team including UNHCR, WFP, MSF, CRS, CARE, and conducted visits to disaster -affected areas Church World Services (CWS), were meeting between April 14-17. In support of this assess­ the emer gency relief needs of flood victims, ment team, USAID/OFDA also transferred but that additional assistance was necessary to $2,000 to USAID/Ulaanbaatar on April 4 to restore livelihoods. In response to this recom­ lease a helicopter. mendation, on June 6, U.S. Ambassador Robert In addition to USAID/OFDA funding, Gelbard declared a flood disaster due to the USAID/Ulaanbaatar provided $227,000 of unal­ effects of the flooding. USAID/OFDA provided located local currency proceeds generated $25,000 through USAID/Jakarta to Y ayasan from the sale of USAID/FFP Title I food aid to Sosial Keuskupan Atambua (Y ASSKA) to pur­ the IFRC to support relief ef forts. chase agricultural tools and maize and mung­ During FY 2000, USAID's Asia and Near bean seeds for 7,500 rural families. East (ANE) Bureau implemented development programs for Mongolia that addressed the USAID/OFDA ASSISTANCE...... $25,000 underlying livestock vulnerabilities that were exacerbated by the winter emer gency. In par­ ticular, USAID/ANE undertook the Gobi Regional Economic Initiative, which supported projects that assisted herders and rural resi­ dents in related businesses to develop better livestock and herd mixes to increase produc­ tivity and mitigate environmental impacts on fragile rangelands.

USAID/OFDA ASSISTANCE...... $692,665

58 OFDA FY 2000 ASIA AND THE P ACIFIC OTHER USG ASSISTANCE ...... $227,000 Philippines via two commercial airlifts at a cost TOTAL USG ASSISTANCE ...... $959,000 of $115,300 and were consigned to the PNRC. USAID/OFDA also provided an additional $25,000 to the PNRC for the purchase, trans- port, and maintenance of portable latrines. Following a military exercise in the Philippines, DOD provided approximately Philippines $150,000 worth of tents and dust masks for use VOLCANO by evacuees. In addition, some two-dozen U.S. troops assisted the Filipino military in setting n February 15, 2000, the Philippine up the DOD-procured tents for use by evac­ Institute of Volcanology and uees. OSeismology (PHIVOLCS) issued a level During the summer of 1999, USAID/OFDA three alert for Mayon V olcano, requiring all provided financial support to the USGS's people residing within a six-kilometer radius to Volcano Disaster Assistance Program (VDAP) to be evacuated. On February 24, following install four tilt meters and corresponding explosive-type earthquakes, increased lava and telemetry at Mayon V olcano. This technical sulfur dioxide emissions, tremors, and ground assistance, valued between $20,000 and swelling, PHIVOLCS raised the alert level of $40,000, helped to mitigate the impacts of the Mayon Volcano to level five, thereby requiring Mayon eruption by improving monitoring and all people residing within eight kilometers to disaster early warning plans. be evacuated. In addition, drifting ash led municipal authorities to evacuate people living *USAID/OFDA ASSISTANCE ...... $253,194 within 15 kilometers of the southwest side of OTHER USG ASSISTANCE ...... $150,000 the volcano. At the height of the evacuation, the total number of evacuees numbered TOTAL USG ASSISTANCE ...... $403,194 between 70,000 and 80,000. Approximately 60,000 of the evacuees resided in 41 temporary *This total does not include technical assis­ evacuation centers, while the remainder stayed tance provided prior to the eruption of the vol­ with relatives. The evacuation centers, estab­ cano. lished at schools and other public buildings, were overcrowded and lacked adequate sanita­ tion, potable water , and/or running tap water . Most evacuees retur ned to their homes after only a few weeks of being displaced, as vol­ canic activity subsided. Southeast Asia On March 1, personnel from USAID/OFDA, FLOODS USAID/Manila, the U.S. Embassy, DOD, and the Government of the Philippines conducted a joint assessment of the area surrounding Mayon n FY 2000, unusually heavy and prolonged Volcano. The assessment team met with the monsoon rains caused severe flooding in governor, mayor , regional police inspector , ISoutheast Asia. According to meteorologists, commander of the disaster's task force, the rains were the worst to strike the region in PHIVOLCS experts, and local health of ficials. 40 years. From July through September , twice Based on this assessment, U.S. Ambassador the average rainfall hit the countries of Thomas C. Hubbard declared a disaster for the Thailand, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, result­ Philippines on February 29. USAID/OFDA pro­ ing in extensive flooding of the Mekong water- vided $25,000 in response through shed. According to press reports, the regional USAID/Manila to the Philippine National Red flooding killed approximately 800 people, Cross (PNRC) to help meet the immediate adversely affected more than eight million resi­ needs of evacuees. Subsequently, dents, and rendered at least two million people USAID/OFDA provided 244,800 sq. ft. of plas­ homeless. All of the affected countries, to some tic sheeting, three 3,000-gallon water bladders, degree, experienced extensive crop damage, two water purification units, and 5,000 five-gal­ lack of potable water , sanitation concer ns, an lon collapsible water jugs. These relief com­ upsurge in the incidence of water -borne dis­ modities, valued at $87,894, arrived in the eases, and food shortages.

OFDA FY 2000 59 ASIA AND THE PACIFIC Kompong Cham, Prey V eng, Takeo, and Svey Rieng). The National Committee for Disaster Management reported that the floods killed 333 people and adversely af fected nearly 3.5 mil- lion residents in central and southern Cambodia. Of those af fected, approximately 387,400 people were evacuated to higher ground. The GOC also reported that 142,918 hectares of rice and subsidiary crops were destroyed, 132 health facilities were damaged, and 500,000 primary and secondary school stu­ dents were unable to begin classes on time. On August 1, 2000, U.S. Ambassador Kent M. Wiedemann issued a disaster declaration for Cambodia due to the effects of the flooding. In response, USAID/OFDA provided $25,000 through the U.S. Embassy to AmRC for the pur­ chase and distribution of emer gency house- hold kits. Continued flooding and worsening of the humanitarian situation in the norther n, eastern, and souther n provinces led U.S. Ambassador Wiedemann to issue a second dis­ aster declaration on September 5. In response, USAID/OFDA provided an additional $25,000 through the U.S. Embassy to AmRC to meet the immediate needs of flood-affected families. On September 20, in response to an IFRC appeal, USAID/OFDA provided $302,704 to AmRC for the purchase and distribution of additional emergency household kits (consisting of cloth­ ing, cooking utensils, basic tools, plastic sheet­ ing, and sleeping mats).

USAID/OFDA ASSISTANCE...... $352,704

VIETNAM Flooding in the Mekong Delta area of V ietnam began in early August 2000, causing some of the most severe flooding ever in An Giang, Long An, Dong Thap, Kien Gang, and Can Tho (top) A family Severe regional flooding also occurred in provinces. According to UNOCHA, the flood­ surveys flood northeastern India and wester n Bangladesh in ing killed 460 people, affected five million res­ damage to their September and October 2000. Reported to be idents, and displaced 670,000 people. In addi­ home in Vietnam the worst in a century, these floods killed more tion, UNDP reported that the flooding dam- (photo courtesy of than 1,300 people, af fected an estimated 18 aged or destroyed approximately 800,000 IFRC). million residents, and caused more than one houses, 10,000 kilometers of roads, 13,000 (above) A token of billion dollars in property damage. bridges, 12,000 schools, and 163,500 hectares thanks is presented of rice and subsidiary crops. Because cropland to a member of the CAMBODIA in the af fected areas was so heavily saturated, U.S. Air Force who The cumulative ef fects of the flooding in flooding continued late into the monsoon sea- delivered emergency Cambodia were devastating and widespread. son and delayed planting for the 2001 crop relief supplies to According to the Gover nment of Cambodia’s cycle. Vietnam (photo (GOC) National Committee for Disaster On September 15, 2000, U.S. Ambassador courtesy of IFRC). Management, 21 provinces were affected, with Douglas B. Peterson issued a disaster declara­ those in the southeast region worst hit (Kandal, tion for flooding in southeaster n V ietnam.

60 OFDA FY 2000 ASIA AND THE P ACIFIC USAID/OFDA responded to the disaster by providing $25,000 through the U.S. Embassy to the IFRC to meet the immediate needs of affect­ ed families in the Mekong Delta area. The IFRC used these funds in joint ef forts with the Vietnam Red Cross to provide emergency food, shelter materials, cooking utensils, hygiene items, and potable water to flood victims. On September 26, USAID/OFDA provided another $216,160 to the IFRC in response to its appeal for V ietnam. These funds were used to pur­ chase and distribute 3,500 emer gency house- hold kits, 3,000 fishing nets, and three motor­ ized boats for use by the Vietnam Red Cross in SAR efforts and delivery of relief supplies.

USAID/OFDA ASSISTANCE...... $241,160

Note: In October 2000, USAID/OFDA pr ovided additional emergency relief assistance totaling approximately $2.5 million in r esponse to the regional flooding in Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, India, and Bangladesh. This assis­ tance will be reflected in the FY 2001 Annual Report. IFRC and UNDP for the provision of blankets, A woman stands plastic sheeting, and water purification tablets beside her flood- and units to meet the basic needs of those most damaged home in affected. USAID/OFDA also provided $450,000 Vietnam (photo to IFRC in support of its inter national appeal courtesy of IFRC). for Vietnam. Of this appeal funding, Vietnam USAID/OFDA provided $60,000 for the pur­ chase and distribution of 5,000 household kits FLOODS (containing blankets, mosquito nets, cooking utensils, and soap) and $390,000 for the con­ uring November 1999, Quang Binh, struction of 2,727 concrete foundations for Quang T ri, Thua Thien-Hue, Quang flood-resistant homes. DNam, Quang Ngai, and Sing Dinh In addition, USAID/OFDA provided provinces and the city of Da Nang in central 391,680 sq. ft. of plastic sheeting, 2,400 blan­ Vietnam experienced the heaviest rainfall and kets, and 3,200 five-gallon water jugs, valued at flooding to affect the region in the last 40 years. $51,760, to the V ietnam Red Cross and IFRC. The Gover nment of V ietnam (GVN) reported DOD transported these relief supplies from 622 deaths, 70 people missing, 25,000 cattle Guam to the city of Hue on November 11 at an killed, over one million people in need of estimated cost of $60,000. DOD also conducted emergency relief assistance, and more than a medical assessment of flood victims between 470,493 households af fected as a result of the December 9-15 in Thua Thien-Hue. The assess­ flooding. Furthermore, the GVN estimated that ment identified specific post-flood public the floods damaged or destroyed 911,846 hous­ health needs and ways to address these needs, es, 94,000 classrooms, 510 clinics, 97,008 including the construction of flood-resistant hectares of far mland, 3,117 hectares of shrimp well systems. and fish farms, and 1,470 bridges. Prior to the onset of this disaster, On November 4, 1999, U.S. Ambassador USAID/OFDA supported technical assistance Douglas B. Peterson issued a disaster declara­ programs to help the GVN build capacities to tion for Vietnam due to the effects of the flood­ mitigate flood disasters in vulnerable areas of ing. USAID/OFDA responded by providing Vietnam. In FY 1999, USAID/OFDA provided $25,000 through the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi to $64,000 to NOAA in support of the develop-

OFDA FY 2000 61 ASIA AND THE P ACIFIC ment of an implementation plan for a Red River Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh, Phu Y en, and Khanh flood-forecasting and early-warning system and Hoa. According to the GVN, the December $26,000 to the United States Ar my Corps of floods resulted in 120 deaths, four people miss­ Engineers for the provision of technical assis­ ing, 203 injuries, and 400,000 people in need of tance in the construction of dams. emergency relief assistance. Further more, the GVN estimated that the flooding damaged or USAID/OFDA ASSISTANCE...... $552,760 destroyed 409,234 houses, 677 schools, 135 OTHER USG ASSISTANCE ...... $60,000 classrooms, 119 clinics, 36,086 roads, 16,760 dikes, 36,044 fish ponds, and 37,526 hectares of TOTAL USG ASSISTANCE ...... $612,760 farmland. On December 8, U.S. Char gé d'Af faires Dennis G. Harter issued a disaster declaration for Vietnam due to the ef fects of the flooding that occurred in December 1999. USAID/OFDA responded by providing $25,000 to the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi for the local procurement of Vietnam urgently needed household supplies. FLOODS USAID/OFDA provided an additional $200,000 to IFRC to compliment $450,000 disbursed to s villagers were beginning to replace the organization following the November 1999 lost household goods, rebuild damaged flood. This second tranche of funding to IFRC Ainfrastructure, and replant destroyed was used to construct an additional 1,400 con­ crops, heavy rainfall in December 1999 intensi­ crete foundations for flood-resistant homes. fied the ef fects of the severe flooding that occurred in central Vietnam in November 1999. USAID/OFDA ASSISTANCE...... $225,000 The second flood disaster primarily affected the provinces of Thua Thien-Hue, Quang Nam,

A family’s home is damaged by the floods in Vietnam (photo courtesy of IFRC).

62 OFDA FY 2000 ASIA AND THE P ACIFIC Disaster Preparedness in Asia

early half of the world’s major dis­ ADPC in collaboration with NOAA and asters occur in the Asia and ADPC works with partially funded by USAID/OFDA in NPacific region, where typhoons, national and local February 1998. The goal of the program earthquakes, floods, volcanic eruptions, is to significantly improve the understand­ landslides, famines, epidemics, and tech­ governments to ing of the impacts of extreme climate nological accidents all occur with consid­ develop the capa­ events such as El Niño and La Niña on erable frequency. The impacts of each of society and the environment in selected these phenomena are compounded by bilities of countries to Asian countries; and to reduce the disas­ significant population growth rates, respond to disasters ter impacts of such events through ef fec­ urbanization, and environmental degra­ tive application of climate forecast infor­ dation. Each year , disasters in the Asia and to institute mation. The program is currently opera­ and Pacific region claim thousands of appropriate policies tional in Indonesia, the Philippines, and lives, render hundreds of thousands of Vietnam, and may expand to include people homeless, and destroy millions of to mitigate their Bangladesh and Thailand. dollars wor th of infrastructure and per­ effects. sonal property. The DANA program, star ted in FY 2000, aims to develop a standard methodology As its main conduit for mitigating the ondary cities, and to promote replication and protocol to assist disaster managers effects of disasters in the Asia and Pacific and adaptation of successful mitigation in the Asia and Pacific region in assessing region, USAID/OFDA provides funding measures throughout the region. Towards and repor ting on post-disaster damages to the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center this end, the program conducts national and needs. In doing so, disaster respons­ (ADPC), located in Bangkok, Thailand. demonstration projects, infor mation dis­ es will be facilitated and coordinated ADPC is the leading center in the Asia semination and networking activities, pol- through the optimization of local and and Pacific region dedicated to protecting icy seminars, and professional training in international resources. In time, the communities and the environment from the target countries of Bangladesh, DANA program will expand to encom­ the devastation of disasters. ADPC works Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, pass the development of a standard with national and local gover nments to Nepal, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and methodology for the assessment of reha­ develop the capabilities of countries to Vietnam. bilitation and reconstruction needs and respond to disasters and to institute damaged infrastructure, training pro- appropriate policies to mitigate their The PEER program, which is a collabora­ grams for rapid response teams, and effects. ADPC achieves these goals tive initiative between ADPC, planning for post-disaster needs. through programs that focus on training, USAID/OFDA, and the Miami-Dade Fire technical assistance, and infor mation- Rescue Department, commenced in Octo­ Through the implementation of such miti­ sharing. The four key programs at ADPC ber 1998, with an objective to develop gation programs, disasters will have a far are the Asian Urban Disaster Mitigation and strengthen search and rescue training less devastating impact throughout the Program (AUDMP), the Program for capabilities in Asia at national, regional, Asia and Pacific region. Ultimately , by Enhancement of Emergency Response and sub-regional levels. This is the first ini­ strengthening regional, national, and (PEER), the Program for Understanding tiative of its kind in Asia to impar t skills local capabilities to respond to disasters Extreme Climate Events (ECE), and the and enhance the exper tise of local and instituting appropriate disaster mit­ Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis responders to provide ef fective and coor­ igative policies, the region will witness a Program (DANA). USAID/OFDA pro­ dinated on-scene management of rescue reduction in loss of life and proper ty. In vides funding for each of these initiatives. and medical response needs following a addition, the international relief communi­ disaster. The four target countries are ty will realize a drastic reduction in the The AUDMP, launched in 1995, is ADPC's India, Indonesia, Nepal, and the cost it bears to provide continual post-dis­ largest regional program. It was designed Philippines. aster assistance. to make cities safer from disasters, with a goal of reducing the disaster vulnerability The ECE program is a follow-on initiative — Amy Tohill-Stull of urban populations, infrastructure, criti­ to the Februar y 1998 Asian regional cal facilities, and shelter in targeted, sec­ meeting on El Niño-related crises held by

OFDA FY 2000 63 Europe and the Near East EUROPE AND THE NEAR EAST but the lasting ef fects of the long-running war Afghanistan on an impoverished country has meant a con­ COMPLEX EMERGENCY tinuing humanitarian crisis even for areas not directly affected by fighting. Government infra­ fghanistan remained a country in crisis structure, including the ability to deliver the during FY 2000 as more than two most basic health, education, and other social Adecades of conflict continued to take its services, has completely collapsed. Severe toll on the population. The extended civil war Taliban restrictions, including a prohibition on in Afghanistan has resulted in an estimated 1.5 women working outside the home, have added million deaths, and an additional 500,000 peo­ to the crushing impact of poverty, particularly ple injured or disabled. According to UNHCR, on the many households lacking able-bodied some 2.6 million Afghan refugees remain in adult men. other countries, the largest single refugee case- Harassment ranging from property theft load in the world for the twentieth consecutive and arbitrary "taxes" on humanitarian goods to year. In addition, reports indicate that up to beatings, detentions, and killings continued to one million people are inter nally displaced. hinder the efforts of relief agencies in FY 2000. The extended warfare between rival factions in In March 2000, the U.N. temporarily withdrew (opposite) Members Afghanistan has included aerial bombing, can- from Kandahar Province after a series of raids of KFOR help off- non and rocket fire, anti-tank and anti-person­ by Taliban forces allegedly searching for a fugi­ load emergency nel landmines, and frequent sieges, all with lit­ tive. In early August, seven civilians were killed shelter materials at tle regard for the welfare of civilians. when unknown assailants ambushed a human­ the USAID/OFDA By FY 2000, Afghanistan’s most power ful itarian demining team in Badghis Province. In depot in Ferizaj, faction, the Taliban, controlled roughly 90% of July, the T aliban imposed an edict prohibiting Kosovo (photo by the country. The Taliban takeover brought rel­ women from working for the U.N. and other Paul Majarowitz, ative stability to most areas under its control, international or ganizations, and in August USAID/OFDA).

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OFDA FY 2000 65 EUROPE AND THE NEAR EAST ordered the closure of 24 woman-run bakeries heating in five hospitals in Kabul City and established by WFP. The Taliban rescinded the Maidan Shahr benefiting 40,000 people, and a order to close the bakeries shortly thereafter , heating project to benefit 2,300 IDP families in but the edict remained in effect. In addition to Kabul. threatening the livelihoods of hundreds of To address humanitarian needs stemming women employed by inter national relief from chronic poverty, USAID/OFDA provided organizations, the edict adversely af fected a $46,000 to the Cooperative Center for variety of humanitarian programs that relied Afghanistan for agricultural infrastructure reha­ on female staf f in order to gain access to bilitation benefiting eight villages in Bamiyan women and children in need of assistance. Province, and $100,000 to Physiotherapy and The humanitarian impact of the civil crisis Rehabilitation Support for Afghanistan (PARSA) in Afghanistan has spanned all sectors. In FY for projects in Kabul benefiting an estimated 2000, tuberculosis, measles, acute respiratory 6,700 people with training as well as home infection, and cholera remained major health schooling for girls. problems. Only 12% of the population had USAID/FFP provided 26,870 MT of P.L. 480 access to potable water . Food prices rose Title II emer gency food commodities through sharply during the year, due to drought and a WFP and the Aga Khan Foundation at a cost of drop in currency value, aggravating an already $13,977,900. USDA provided 135,000 MT of perilous food security situation. Section 416(b) wheat to WFP at an estimated On October 1, 1999, Karl F . Inder furth, cost of $58,762,385. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Easter n State/PRM provided UNHCR with $7.4 mil- and South Asian Af fairs, redeclared a disaster lion for regional programs benefiting Afghan in Afghanistan for FY 2000 to help meet the refugees and retur nees in Iran, Pakistan, and critical needs of victims of the continuing Afghanistan. State/PRM provided $6.1 million humanitarian crisis. USAID/OFDA responded for NGOs addressing Afghan refugee needs in with funding and in-kind donations to address Pakistan, and provided $75,000 to support the basic humanitarian requirements in the areas administrative costs of WFP’s Afghanistan pro- of health, water and sanitation, shelter , infra­ grams. State/PRM provided ICRC with $6.6 mil- structure, winterization, and livelihoods. In lion for Afghanistan programs as part of a $9.9 health, USAID/OFDA provided $989,498 to million contribution to ICRC’s South Asia ACF/F for a program to benefit 530,000 people appeal. State/PRM also provided UNCHR with in Kabul and surrounding areas for the treat­ $4.1 million in unearmarked funds for ment of malnutrition, mater nal and child UNHCR’s general program for South Asia, a health care, and education for mothers and substantial portion of which benefited Afghan children. T o address humanitarian needs in refugees. The State Department’s Humanitarian water and sanitation, USAID/OFDA provided Development Program allocated $3 million for $400,000 to CARE’s emer gency water supply demining in Afghanistan, of which $1.1 million program to combat disease by providing was provided to HALO T rust, a British demi­ potable water to 35,000 households in Kabul. ning organization, and the remainder was pro­ In shelter, infrastructure, and winterization, vided to support UNOCHA’s demining opera­ USAID/OFDA provided $500,000 in support of tions. the Agency for T echnical Cooperation and Development’s (ACTED) winter emer gency USAID/OFDA ASSISTANCE ....$3,952,588 program for IDPs, including heating, shelter , *OTHER USG ASSISTANCE ..$95,945,285 and road repair activities. USAID/OFDA pro­ *TOTAL USG ASSISTANCE ....$99,897,873 vided ACTED with an in-kind donation from its stockpile of 10,000 blankets and 480,000 sq. ft. of plastic sheeting for emer gency shelter, at *These funding figures do not r eflect $4.1 mil- a combined value of $99,692, plus transport at lion in regional funding provided by a cost of $104,480. USAID/OFDA provided State/PRM to UNHCR and ICRC for r efugees $300,000 in support of Shelter Now and returnees in Iran, Pakistan, and International’s (SNI) program to benefit 2,500 Afghanistan. households through reconstruction and relief activities for homes destroyed by October 1999 fighting in Takhar Province. USAID/OFDA also provided $360,049 to SC/US for supplemental

66 OFDA FY 2000 EUROPE AND THE NEAR EAST USAID/OFDA also provided emer gency Afghanistan relief assistance in response to Afghanistan’s DROUGHT complex emergency, as did USAID/FFP. Some of this assistance was used to benefit drought uring FY 2000, Afghanistan experi­ victims. (For additional information, please see enced its worst drought since 1971. As the preceding "Afghanistan – Complex Dpart of a lar ger region-wide drought Emergency" case report.) affecting vast areas of Central and South Asia, the disaster caused significant losses of crops USAID/OFDA ASSISTANCE ....$2,950,851 and livestock throughout Afghanistan, severely impacting most regions of the country. In total, UNOCHA estimated that the drought af fected some 2.5 million farmers of rain-fed wheat and 80,000 nomadic livestock owners (Kuchis). Albania WFP and F AO predicted that the bur geoning crisis will af fect at least half of Afghanistan’s REFUGEES estimated 25 million people by the summer of 2001. The drought also impacted urban t the beginning of FY 2000, less than dwellers, particularly because it coincided with 4,000 refugees remained in Albania a precipitous fall in the T aliban-controlled Afrom a June 1999 peak of more than Afghani currency, further contributing to an 465,500 ethnic Albanians who had crossed the already sharp rise in food prices. Albanian border from Kosovo. On October The drought followed two successive years 15, 1999, U.S. Ambassador Joseph Limprecht of low rainfall and snowfall levels that caused redeclared a disaster for Albania due to the the water table to drop and rivers and lakes to continuing humanitarian needs of the remain­ shrink. Low rainfall in 1999 had forced many ing refugees. USAID/OFDA maintained its sup- households in the country’s most rainfall- port for a contingency planner seconded to the dependent agricultural areas to sell more than Government of Albania’s Emergency 50% of their livestock in order to buy wheat Management Group through December 1999, last season. During the 2000-2001 agricultural as well as funding for a water/sanitation engi­ season, livestock sales increased, while prices neer seconded to UNICEF . A USAID/OFDA fell, causing serious damage to herders' liveli­ grant to AAH/USA for nutrition, water , and hoods. In addition, what livestock were left sanitation activities was extended in FY 2000 were vulnerable to depleted fodder supplies. with $140,639 in additional funding. To On May 4, 2000, Assistant Secretary of replenish relief commodities that were provid­ State for Asia and the Near East Karl F . ed from USAID/OFDA’s stockpile in support of Inderfurth issued a disaster declaration for emergency needs during FY 1999, drought conditions in Afghanistan during FY USAID/OFDA procured 19,600 five-gallon 2000. USAID/OFDA provided $25,000 through water containers at a cost of $32,340. The the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan to USAID/DART, which was deployed to Tirana support a Mercy Corps Inter national (MCI) on April 2, 1999, ended operations on October agriculture and livestock program. In addition, 21, 1999. USAID/OFDA provided CARE with $686,492 for agriculture and livestock programs in the USAID/OFDA ASSISTANCE ...... $312,898 Hazarajat region; UNICEF and U.N./Habitat with $250,000 each to provide emer gency potable water projects for severely drought- affected populations in various locations; MCI with $929,359 to support potable water , agri­ culture, and livestock projects for far mers and Georgia displaced nomads in Kandahar Province; and SNI with $310,000 for an irrigation project in DROUGHT northern Afghanistan. USAID/OFDA provided U.N./Habitat with $500,000 for continued n the summer of 2000, lower than nor mal drought relief and emer gency assistance in rainfall coupled with extremely high tem­ Kabul, Herat, and Kandahar. Iperatures created a drought that adversely OFDA FY 2000 67 EUROPE AND THE NEAR EAST affected five regions in easter n Geor gia with an estimated rural population of nearly 1.2 mil- Greece FIRE lion people. Rainfall averaged 50% of its nor­ mal level during the spring, and fell to less n July 2000, hot, dry winds from across the than 10% of its nor mal level during the sum­ Mediterranean Sea combined with near mer. Agriculture throughout easter n Geor gia Irecord high temperatures and drought con­ was severely impacted. The most af fected ditions to create an ideal situation for wildfires areas included the Kakheti region, which suf­ in Greece and neighboring countries. During fered damage to 89% of its wheat crop, 70% of the week of July 9, fires broke out on the which was completely destroyed, and Greek mainland and several Aegean islands. Samtskhe-Javakheti, Kvemo-Kartli, Shida- The wildfires destroyed homes, businesses, Kartli, and Mtskheta-Mtianeti. These areas suf­ olive groves, and forests. On the island of fered wheat crop damage of up to 87%, with Samos, one of the most af fected areas, fires total destruction of up to 57%. Many areas also destroyed more than 13,000 hectares, or 70% experienced severe shortages of potable water. of the island’s green areas. On July 19, U.S. On August 18, U.S. Ambassador Kenneth Ambassador R. Nicholas Bur ns declared a dis­ S. Yalowitz declared a disaster for Georgia due aster for Greece due to the devastation caused to the ef fects of the drought. USAID/OFDA by the wildfires. USAID/OFDA responded by responded by providing $25,000 through providing $25,000 to the U.S. Embassy in USAID/Tbilisi to the Salvation Army to expand Athens to meet the emer gency needs of vic­ an existing feeding program with an addition­ tims affected by the wildfires. al kitchen in the most af fected area of the Kakheti region. USAID/OFDA also deployed a USAID/OFDA ASSISTANCE...... $25,000 humanitarian response advisor to Geor gia to monitor the USG response to the drought. USAID/OFDA provided an additional $500,000 through USAID/Tbilisi to SC/US for the pro­ curement and distribution of wheat seed to benefit 4,000 subsistence far ming families in Hungary the Kakheti region. SC/US managed the pro­ curement and distribution of seeds, with local ACCIDENT relief organizations as implementing partners. USAID/FFP provided additional assistance in n January 30, 2000, an accident in a FY 2000 with a 2,000 MT contribution of P .L. Romanian gold mine released approx­ 480 Title II emer gency food commodities to Oimately 100,000 cubic meters of WFP at a cost of $984,600. cyanide solution and tailings into the Szamos Under the Freedom Support Act, the U.S. River, which runs from Romania into Hungary. Department of State’s Of fice of the Special The cyanide spill also af fected the Tisza River Advisor to the Secretary for the New in Hungary. On February 18, 2000, following a Independent States provided an additional request for inter national assistance from the $3.4 million to support agricultural credit asso­ Government of Hungary, U.S. Chargé ciations and purchase wheat seed for drought d’Affaires Thomas B. Robertson declared a dis­ victims. aster for Hungary due to the economic impact on residents who derive their livelihoods from USAID/OFDA ASSISTANCE...... $554,205 the two rivers. USAID/OFDA responded by OTHER USG ASSISTANCE ...... $4,384,600 providing $25,000 through USAID/Budapest to the Foundation for Development of TOTAL USG ASSISTANCE...... $4,909,600 Democratic Rights, a local NGO, to implement emergency livelihoods activities.

USAID/OFDA ASSISTANCE...... $25,000

68 OFDA FY 2000 EUROPE AND THE NEAR EAST Hungary Pakistan FLOODS DROUGHT

n April 2000, the Tisza River in easter n uring FY 2000, Pakistan experienced a Hungary flooded at record levels, af fecting drought that severely af fected areas in Imore than 150 villages and towns along its Dthe southeast and southwest, including banks. On April 11, U.S. Ambassador Peter F . large parts of Baluchistan and Sindh provinces. Tufo declared a disaster for Hungary due to the The drought reportedly af fected between 2.5 effects of the flooding. USAID/OFDA respond­ and three million people, and was exacerbated ed by providing $24,859 to USAID/Budapest by three preceding years of lower than normal for the local purchase of emergency relief sup- rainfall. On May 15, U.S. Ambassador W illiam plies. On April 17, U.S. Ambassador T ufo B. Milam declared a disaster for Pakistan citing reported that the situation was expected to the deaths of several hundred people and a remain critical for two more weeks and significant number of livestock. Because more requested additional USAID/OFDA assistance. than 70% of the population in the af fected USAID/OFDA responded to the second request areas depends upon livestock for their liveli­ for assistance with $50,000 to USAID/Budapest hoods, purchasing power of families was for the local purchase of water pumps, sand- severely impacted. bags, torches, and generators for flood victims. USAID/OFDA responded by providing $45,000 to the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad to USAID/OFDA ASSISTANCE...... $74,859 support drought-related relief activities. The U.S. Embassy provided $25,000 to CWS for the provision of seeds, fodder , and potable water to benefit 15,180 people in the Tharparkar District of Sindh Province, and $20,000 to MCI to provide tents for drought-displaced persons. On September 12, USAID/OFDA deployed a two-person assessment team to Pakistan to visit drought areas, and meet with USG per­ sonnel, local of ficials, and relief or ganizations to assess the impact of relief activities to date, and to deter mine the extent of future emer­ gency needs.

USAID/OFDA ASSISTANCE...... $45,000

(above) A USAID/OFDA- funded well rehabilitation project in Sindh Province, Pakistan (photo by Alex Mahoney, USAID/OFDA). (left) USAID/OFDA- funded tents in the Siah Koh drought displacement camp in Baluchistan Province, Pakistan (photo by Alex Mahoney, USAID/ OFDA).

OFDA FY 2000 69 EUROPE AND THE NEAR EAST responded by providing $25,000 through the Workers repairing a U.S. Embassy in Bucharest to the Bucharest- well funded by Romania based Regional Environmental Center . The USAID/OFDA’s well ACCIDENT Center used the funds to support local NGOs rehabilitation project in providing relief to affected communities and in Kosovo (photo by n January 30, 2000, an accident in a assisting in mitigating the ef fects of the spill. Paul Majarowitz, Romanian gold mine released approx­ USAID/OFDA). Oimately 100,000 cubic meters of USAID/OFDA ASSISTANCE...... $25,000 (bottom) Installation cyanide solution and tailings into the Szamos of a sanitary River. On February 25, 2000, following a wellhead in a village request for assistance from the Government of in the Ferizaj Romania, U.S. Ambassador James C. Rosapepe Municipality of declared a disaster for Romania due to the Kosovo (photo by direct environmental and economic impacts Romania Paul Majarowitz, caused by the accident. USAID/OFDA USAID/OFDA). FLOODS

eavy spring rains and melting snows caused severe flooding in norther n Hand wester n Romania. The floods, described as the worst in 200 years, resulted in nine deaths, significant damage to hundreds of villages, and inundated more than 70,000 hectares of far mland. According to Romania’s Supreme Defense Council, the flooding dam- aged 3,000 households in more than 500 local­ ities, destroyed 250 bridges, and rendered 60 roads impassable. On April 21, U.S. Ambas­ sador James Rosapepe declared a disaster for Romania due to the ef fects of the flooding. USAID/OFDA responded by providing $25,000 to the U.S. Embassy in Bucharest for emer­ gency relief activities to assist the flood victims.

USAID/OFDA ASSISTANCE...... $25,000

Serbia-Montenegro COMPLEX EMERGENCY

y the fall of 1999, the situation in Kosovo had changed dramatically from Bthe prior year. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NA TO) air campaign forced President Slobodan Milosevic’s gover nment to withdraw military forces from the province, and reversed the Y ugoslav policy of mass expulsion of a significant portion of the province’s ethnic Albanian population and widespread human rights abuses. The depar­ ture of the Y ugoslav military and police from the province, coupled with the arrival of

70 OFDA FY 2000 EUROPE AND THE NEAR EAST NATO’s Kosovo Protection Force (KFOR), be uninhabitable. The rapid, spontaneous allowed lar ge numbers of deportees and return of hundreds of thousands of people to refugees to retur n to Kosovo. Inter national the province heightened the ur gency of the relief or ganizations also relocated to the problem. It became clear that without a mas­ province. The USAID/DAR T retur ned to sive effort, hundreds of thousands of Kosovars Pristina from Skopje, Macedonia within days might face the winter without sustainable shel­ after hostilities ended in June 1999. ter. On October 1, 1999, U.S. Chief of Mission Notwithstanding these major positive in Pristina Lawrence G. Rossin redeclared a developments, serious problems persisted. The disaster for FY 2000, citing the ongoing security situation in Kosovo remained precari­ humanitarian crisis in Kosovo. ous. Landmines, booby traps, and unexploded To respond to the impending crisis, ordnance limited humanitarian access in most USAID/OFDA launched the largest emergency of the province. Despite the presence of shelter program in its history. The $47.6 mil- KFOR, inter-ethnic unrest continued, and vio­ lion program ($33 million in FY 1999 and $14.6 lent incidents were targeted at minority groups million in FY 2000), consisting of two primary as well as inter national relief or ganizations. shelter initiatives and an emer gency contin­ With Kosovo cut off from economic links with gency program, provided more than 20,000 Serbia, the restoration of infrastructure to pro- emergency shelter kits containing wood fram­ vide basic necessities became a humanitarian ing, plastic sheeting, doors, insulation material, issue. Finally, the Kosovo winter , a leading stoves, tools, and related building supplies for cause of humanitarian concer n during 1998- families living in damaged houses. The kits 1999, again loomed. The problem had become were designed to provide at least one war m, far lar ger, however , due to the widespread dry room in each house. USAID/OFDA also burning and looting of homes by Y ugoslav provided expanded roofing packages, which forces during the conflict that left an estimated included framing timber and plastic sheeting, one-third of Kosovo’s estimated 365,000 hous­ as a supplement to the emer gency shelter kit ing units damaged or destroyed. Of the dam- for 7,900 households. The expanded roofing aged housing stock, more than 48,000 units packages were provided under the condition were damaged beyond repair , and more than that families receiving them would shelter one 33,000 houses were so severely damaged as to to two additional families.

A USAID/OFDA- funded roof repair is completed in Kosovo (photo by Paul Majarowitz, USAID/OFDA).

OFDA FY 2000 71 EUROPE AND THE NEAR EAST USAID/OFDA distributed emer gency shel­ ing to AAH/USA for a nutritional program for ter packages through its implementing part­ mothers and children. USAID/OFDA funded ners, as well as from the USAID/OFDA roofing IMC to continue its mobile health clinic project depot in Ferizaj as in-kind donations to in minority and isolated rural communities requesting NGOs, Red Cross/Crescent through the spring of 2001. In agriculture, Societies, and community groups. USAID/ USAID/OFDA provided $1 million to F AO in OFDA coordinated its primary shelter initia­ support of a livestock vaccination program as tives with UNHCR and the European part of the inter national effort to resume post- Community Humanitarian Of fice (ECHO). In conflict agricultural production. In support of total, the three donors provided more than costs associated with the distribution of 66,000 shelter kits to vulnerable residents of USAID/OFDA-funded Humanitarian Daily the province. USAID/OFDA supplemented its Rations in Kosovo, USAID/OFDA provided emergency shelter program with the WFP with $92,044. Finally, USAID/OFDA pro­ Emergency Response Initiative (ERI), launched vided $3.8 million in support of community in January 2000 to provide an additional 500 infrastructure projects. roofing kits and supplementary shelter materi­ In FY 2000, USAID/OTI provided $8.6 mil- als for up to 2,000 households. The ERI served lion in funding for democracy-building activi­ as a contingency measure to fill arising gaps in ties in Kosovo such as civil society promotion existing shelter programs. An estimated and independent media development; and 290,000 people benefited from the response to critical community needs, such as USAID/OFDA emergency shelter program. school reconstruction and local infrastructure. USAID/OFDA implemented its shelter pro- In Montenegro, USAID/OTI provided $1 mil- gram through multiple organizations, providing lion in funding to promote tolerance and funding support as well as in-kind contribu­ democracy, including support for local NGOs tions of shelter materials to ADRA, ARC, CARE, and independent media. In Serbia, USAID/OTI Concern, Cooperative Housing Foundation provided $3.4 million in support of democratic (CHF), FHI, GOAL, IRC, MEDAIR, Relief elements in society, including direct grants to International, and WV. USAID/OFDA contract­ municipalities demonstrating democratic prin­ ed with Readiness Management Services, Inc. ciples, delivering humanitarian commodities, (RMS) to procure timber and transport it into supporting capacity-building for civil society Kosovo. RMS obtained the lar ge quantity of groups, and establishing independent media timber required for the program from mills in outlets. USAID/FFP provided 81,150 MT of P.L. Austria, Germany, and the Czech Republic and 480 Title II emer gency food commodities to transported it by rail to Kosovo. The use of rail Serbia, Montenegro, and Kosovo in FY 2000 at transport allowed RMS to avoid days-long traf­ a cost of $58.2 million. State/PRM contributed fic delays and hazardous road conditions $14 million to NGOs assisting refugees retur n­ encountered en route to Kosovo from the ing from Serbia and Montenegro to their pre- Blace border near Skopje, Macedonia. The war homes in Bosnia and Croatia. In Kosovo, large amount of shelter material required logis­ State/PRM contributed $28.2 million to NGOs ticians to use 36 trains varying from 10 to 16 and inter national or ganizations for health, cars in length over a two-month period. water and sanitation, psycho-social activities, With the end of winter and the successful tolerance education, protection-related activi­ completion of the emergency shelter program, ties, and support for minorities. State/PRM also USAID/OFDA closed its DAR T in Pristina on provided $40.6 million in regional funding to March 31, 2000. In its place, USAID/OFDA UNHCR, ICRC, UNICEF , UNOCHA, and WFP established the Kosovo Program Of fice (KPO) for programs throughout the Balkans, includ­ to continue to monitor its existing programs ing programs supporting refugees and IDPs in and the humanitarian situation, and to identify Serbia, Montenegro, Kosovo, Bosnia- additional emer gency needs. The KPO also Herzegovina, Croatia, Albania, and Macedonia. served as a contingency measure in case the humanitarian situation deteriorated, allowing USAID/OFDA to retain the institutional knowl­ USAID/OFDA ASSISTANCE ...... $22,391,587 edge and capacity that the DART had accumu­ *OTHER USG ASSISTANCE ....$113,369,084 lated during its presence in Kosovo. *TOTAL USG ASSISTANCE...... $135,760,671 During FY 2000, USAID/OFDA also sup- ported health activities with $208,175 in fund­

72 OFDA FY 2000 EUROPE AND THE NEAR EAST

The Effort to Avert a Potential Disaster: Lake Sarez he tranquil waters of Lake Sarez OFDA funds are assisting training pro- have long been a ticking time bomb An estimated five million grams in emergency response, including in the central Asian nation of people live in the areas emergency coordination and communica­ T tion, evacuation, rescue, first aid, and sur­ Tajikistan. The lake was for med in 1911 that would be affected. A vival techniques. These programs also are when an ear thquake caused a massive dam collapse could easily instructing the local community in how to landslide that blocked the Amu Dar ya become the deadliest River. Today, the lake is 60 kilometers long use and maintain the early-war ning sys­ and up to 500 meters deep, containing natural disaster in world tem. more than 50 billion cubic meters of water. history. Another major ear thquake in this ear th- With USAID/OFDA suppor t, several sci­ quake-prone region could destroy the al project, in par tnership with the W orld entists from the USGS are coordinating lake’s unstable dam. There have been at Bank, will design and install systems to with Focus and local geoscientists and vil­ least three-dozen significant ear thquakes monitor lake levels, leakage rates, land- lagers to update existing data and hazard in the area since 1990. Fur ther adding to slide movements, and other critical indica­ maps for vulnerable areas. This project the danger, a high clif f overhanging the tors that can forewarn of a potential disas­ will prepare maps of likely flooding, iden­ lake is likely to collapse in the event of an ter. The project works to strengthen emer­ tify safe-havens for each vulnerable vil­ earthquake, sending billions of cubic gency shelter areas by training communi­ lage, and establish evacuation routes meters of water cascading over the top of ties in use and maintenance of the early- using Geographic Infor mation Systems the dam. As the condition of the ear then warning system. The project also explores (GIS), Global Positioning System (GPS) dam itself gradually worsens, the threat of the possibility of long-ter m engineering technology, flood route modeling with a rupture increases. If the dam breaks, it solutions. modern analytical techniques, and local could send a wave up to 30 meters high knowledge. In order to ensure the accessi­ racing through T ajikistan, as well as Local community and government involve­ bility and maintenance of the routes, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and ment is critical to the monitoring system’ s Focus, with USAID/OFDA funding, will Afghanistan, all of which lie downstream success. Without the cooperation and provide the necessary logistical assistance. from the dam. While the likelihood of such input of local people and government offi­ Finally, Focus plans to develop a disaster a calamity is believed to be low, the poten­ cials, the system cannot continue to oper­ management information system for shar­ tial consequences are high: an estimated ate after international assistance ends. For ing among gover nment and community five million people living in the area could this reason, USAID/OFDA is supporting a organizations responsible for disaster be affected. A dam collapse at Lake Sarez social component of the Focus Project that management. might easily become the deadliest natural targets community development and train­ disaster in world history. ing. The objective of this component is to Thanks to a coordinated ef fort with other develop agreements among the local vil­ USG agencies, inter national donors, USAID/OFDA has long worked towards lagers, community organizations, and NGOs, and community groups, USAID/ the goal of preventing disasters wherever government authorities on disaster man­ OFDA is addressing a hazard in Central possible. Spending funds on disaster pre­ agement procedures and responsibilities, Asia that threatens the lives of millions of vention is an investment that can save as well as mechanisms to monitor progress people. Through suppor t for the develop­ countless lives and reduce the need for and deal with unexpected problems. ment of early-warning systems, evacuation and costs of disaster response. During FY Through Focus, in conjunction with local plans, hazard maps, and training, 1999, USAID/OFDA in par t supported a community organizations and the USAID/OFDA is working to lessen the U.N.-sponsored assessment mission of Tajikistan Ministry of Emergencies, number of lives lost and the cost of disas­ technical exper ts to the Lake Sarez Dam. USAID/OFDA is supporting the training of ter response in the event of a future dam In FY 2000, USAID/OFDA contributed community members in disaster mitiga­ collapse. $250,000 towards the Lake Sarez Risk tion, including relocating and strengthen­ Mitigation Project implemented by Focus ing endangered infrastructure, water con­ — Alex Mahoney Humanitarian Assistance. This multination­ trol, and slope stabilization. USAID/

OFDA FY 2000 73 EUROPE AND THE NEAR EAST *These funding figures do not reflect $40.6 mil- USAID/OFDA ASSISTANCE...... $25,000 lion in regional funding provided by State/PRM OTHER USG ASSISTANCE ....$11,421,700 to UNHCR, ICRC, UNICEF, UNOCHA, and WFP TOTAL USG ASSISTANCE...... $11,446,700 for r efugees and r eturnees thr oughout the Balkans.

Turkey Tajikistan EARTHQUAKE DROUGHT ust before 7 p.m. local time on November uring FY 2000, T ajkistan received the 12, 1999, a powerful earthquake measuring smallest amount of annual precipita­ J7.2 on the Richter Scale struck northwest- Dtion in 74 years. In May 2000, rainfall ern T urkey. The earthquake’s epicenter was was between 0% and 10% of nor mal levels in 115 miles east of Istanbul in the town of Duzce some key food producing areas, and cereal in Bolu Province. The affected area was on the production totals for 2000 were no more than edges of the area devastated by the August 17, 25% of normal levels. 1999 earthquake. By December 14, the In response to the drought conditions, U.S. Government of T urkey (GOT) reported that 816 people were confirmed dead, and another 4,948 were injured. The earthquake damaged thousands of buildings, displaced an estimated 50,000 residents, and left some 20,500 people homeless. Acting under an existing disaster declara­ tion issued August 17, 1999 by U.S. Ambassador Mark R. Parris in response to the August 16 earthquake centered on Izmit, USAID/OFDA immediately activated a 67-per- son SAR team from Fairfax County, Virginia. An eight-person USAID/DAR T and the SAR team departed the next day and arrived in Turkey on November 14. The USAID/DART/SAR immedi­ ately began setting up operations and conduct­ ing aerial reconnaissance missions. A DOD Humanitarian Assistance Survey T eam (HAST) also arrived November 14. For the next four Malnourished Ambassador Robert P. Finn declared a disaster children receive for T ajikistan on July 28. USAID/OFDA additional nutrition responded by providing $25,000 through at a therapeutic USAID/Almaty to ACF/F to support an emer­ feeding center gency intervention for treatment of malnutri­ funded by tion in children under age five in Pyanj District, USAID/OFDA in one of the most-af fected areas of the country. Tajikistan (photo by In addition, USAID/FFP provided 2,300 MT of Mary Mertens, P.L. 480 Title II emergency food assistance, val­ USAID/FFP). ued at $1.4 million. USDA provided an esti­ mated 65,000 MT of Section 416(b) food com­ modities to the Aga Khan Foundation, CARE, MCI, and SC/US at a cost of $10 million. In September, USAID/OFDA deployed a food security of ficer and a food of ficer from USAID/FFP to Tajikistan to assess the situation and determine the extent of future needs.

74 OFDA FY 2000 EUROPE AND THE NEAR EAST days, the USAID/DAR T/SAR conducted 24- hour search operations that by November 17 were ongoing at six dif ferent locations. Forty additional inter national SAR teams also con­ ducted search and rescue operations. By November 18, international SAR teams had res­ cued a total of eight survivors from the rubble. On November 17, U.S. Ambassador Mark R. Parris issued a disaster declaration for the November 12 earthquake, authorizing the release of USG emergency funds to support the relief effort. President Clinton visited the coun­ try in November and announced a $1 billion loan package to support T urkey’s earthquake relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction efforts. Upon completing its emer gency search and rescue effort on November 18, the USAID/DART/SAR team donated its tents, gen­ erators, heaters, and bottled water to the Devlet Hospital in Duzce. The hospital build­ ing was damaged during the earthquake, and these donations allowed for an additional field hospital to be established in Duzce. In addi­ tion, DOD donated 500 tents, originally deployed to Izmit for the August 1999 earth- quake, to shelter Duzce earthquake survivors. (opposite and Uzbekistan above) Extensive USAID/OFDA ASSISTANCE ....$2,713,975 DROUGHT damage to OTHER USG ASSISTANCE ...... $1,400,000 apartment TOTAL USG ASSISTANCE...... $4,113,975 buildings and zbekistan experienced its worst architectural drought in recent history during FY structures is viewed 2000. The wester n part of the country, U from above after where only one-tenth of the water nor mally Turkey’s second used for irrigation was available during the major earthquake year, suf fered the most serious ef fects. The Ukraine in three months drought severely impacted both food and cash (photo by Miami- ACCIDENT crops, and less than one-third of the popula­ Dade Fire Rescue tion had access to potable water . On August Department). n March 13, 2000, an explosion shook 22, U.S. Char gé d’Af faires Molly O’Neal a coal mine in the town of declared a disaster for Uzbekistan in response OSukhodolsk, Luhansk Oblast, Ukraine. to the drought. USAID/OFDA provided $25,000 The explosion killed 80 people and injured to the U.S. Embassy in Tashkent for a drought- seven. On March 15, U.S. Ambassador Steven related potable water program aimed at reduc­ K. Pifer declared a disaster for Ukraine, citing ing the risk of water-borne diseases. the hardships faced by the families of the injured and deceased. USAID/OFDA respond­ USAID/OFDA ASSISTANCE...... $25,000 ed on March 16 by providing $25,000 through USAID/Kiev to support the local Community Humanitarian Assistance Program (CHAP) in providing emer gency food, medical supplies, and other non-food basic relief items to the affected families.

USAID/OFDA ASSISTANCE...... $25,000

OFDA FY 2000 75 Latin America and the Caribbean LATIN AMERICA AND THE an insuf ficient quantity of potable water to CARIBBEAN Bolivia meet community needs. On January 18, the DROUGHT Government of Bolivia (GOB) declared the area a disaster zone. n January 2000, serious drought conditions Following an assessment conducted due to the delayed start of the rainy season between January 12-14, USAID/La Paz trans­ Iaffected the province of Gran Chaco in the ferred nine previously provided USG water department of Tarija. The drought hit hardest in bladders from the city of Potosi to Y acuiba to (opposite) the area around the municipality of Y acuiba, complement municipal water distribution Beneficiaries of affecting an estimated population of 20,000 plans. In addition, USAID/La Paz redirected USAID/OFDA’s families. Most severely af fected were approxi­ 300 MT of P .L. 480 Title II emer gency food drought assistance mately 4,000 small-holder far m families. Initial commodities to distribute to 3,960 af fected programs in reports indicated low community water sup- families from March to May as supplemental Paraguay (photo by plies in rural Yacuiba Municipality; and several food rations. Alejandro James, other communities reported brackish wells and On January 26, 2000, U.S. Ambassador USAID/OFDA).

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OFDA FY 2000 77 LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN Donna Hrinak declared a disaster due to the REGIONAL ASSISTANCE effects of the drought in Bolivia. USAID/ A six-person USAID/OFDA team consisting of OFDA provided $25,000 through the U.S. two regional advisors and four disaster spe­ Embassy in La Paz to CARE for the distribution cialists from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue of food and the local purchase of water con­ Department deployed to the region on tainers and chlorine water treatment solution. November 19 to assist with coordination, USAID/OFDA also sent a consultant to Bolivia damage assessments, and identification of to work with the U.S. Embassy and USAID/La emergency needs. USAID/OFDA provided a Paz in monitoring the drought conditions and $75,000 grant to the Pan American Health relief operations in Gran Chaco. Organization (PAHO) to meet the emer gency needs of the victims of Hurricane Lenny for a USAID/OFDA ASSISTANCE...... $25,000 period of six months. Project activities includ­ ed improving water and sanitation conditions and preventing disease outbreaks and rodent control problems in Antigua and Barbuda, and St. Kitts and Nevis. At the request of the Gover nment of the Caribbean Netherlands (GON), DOD supplied a C-130 aircraft to transport relief commodities from HURRICANE Curaçao to the islands of St. Maarten, Saba, and St. Eustatius. The GON fully reimbursed urricane Lenny for med in the south- DOD for the cost of the transport. west Caribbean on November 14, H1999. At its peak as a category four USAID/OFDA ASSISTANCE...... $175,000 storm, Hurricane Lenny produced maximum winds of almost 225 kilometers/hour and more than 76 centimeters of rain. After cross­ ing over the easter n Caribbean islands, the hurricane continued in a westerly direction, passing just south of Haiti and the Dominican Chile Republic. Coastal infrastructure such as roads, FLOODS bridges, and sea defenses sustained most of the hurricane’s damage. On November 22, 1999, U.S. Char gé d’Af faires in Barbados n early June 2000, heavy rainfall caused Roland Bullen issued a disaster declaration for the Mapocho River to over flow its banks Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Iand flood parts of central Chile, including Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. V incent. the capital Santiago and the port city of Valparaiso. The National Meteorological ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA, DOMINICA, Service reported that, from June 12-14, more AND GRENADA than 15 centimeters of rain fell in the greater On November 29, the U.S. Embassy in Santiago region. Several landslides occurred Barbados requested assistance for Antigua in V alparaiso and more than 60,000 people and Barbuda, Dominica, and Grenada. were displaced in the af fected areas due to USAID/OFDA responded by providing the flooding. $25,000 for each country through the U.S. On June 16, 2000, U.S. Ambassador John Embassy in Bridgetown to UNDP to meet O’Leary declared a disaster for Chile due to shelter and other emer gency relief needs of the ef fects of the flooding. USAID/OFDA displaced persons. responded by providing $25,000 through the U.S. Embassy to the Chilean Red Cross, Hogar ST. LUCIA de Cristo (a local NGO), and Caritas to help On December 17, the U.S. Embassy in meet the immediate needs of flood victims. Barbados requested assistance for St. Lucia. USAID/OFDA responded by providing USAID/OFDA ASSISTANCE...... $25,000 $25,000 through the U.S. Embassy to UNDP to meet shelter and other emergency relief needs of displaced persons in St. Lucia.

78 OFDA FY 2000 LATIN AMERICA AND THE dengue and DHF emer gency. Approximately CARIBBEAN Ecuador 24 deaths resulted from the epidemic, all but VOLCANO one of which occurred in children under the age of 10. The Ministry of Public Health and n mid-October 1999, T ungurahua Volcano, Social Assistance deter mined that they were located south of Quito in the town of unable to respond properly to the emer gency IBanos, began inter mittent eruptions that and of ficially requested inter national assis­ sent clouds of ash into the atmosphere and tance. caused avalanches of mud and debris. Local On September 14, U.S. Ambassador Rose authorities were forced to evacuate 25,000 res­ Likins declared a disaster for El Salvador due to idents from 23 communities in the surrounding the dengue emergency. In response, area. Ashfall from the eruptions damaged more USAID/OFDA provided $25,000 through the than 50,000 hectares of farmland and an unde­ U.S. Embassy in San Salvador to the National termined quantity of pastureland. The ash fall Emergency Committee (COEN) for the pur­ also killed livestock and virtually eliminated all chase of medical supplies and equipment to poultry production. facilitate the early diagnosis of DHF, adequate­ On December 3, U.S. Ambassador Gwen ly manage and monitor DHF, and provide DHF C. Clare declared a disaster for Ecuador in therapy to patients. response to the eruptions at T ungurahua. USAID/OFDA provided $25,000 through the USAID/OFDA ASSISTANCE...... $25,000 U.S. Embassy in Quito to CRS in support of its emergency relief program for 150 displaced families most-af fected by the evacuation. Following the declaration, USAID/OFDA deployed a consultant to Quito to coordinate relief activities with USAID/Quito. Honduras USAID/OFDA also provided $15,000 to FLOODS USAID/Quito for the National Geophysical Institute to assist with operational costs associ­ ated with volcano monitoring and enhanced uring September and November 1999, public outreach in the vicinity of T ungurahua. heavy rains triggered a national state USAID/OFDA continues to provide technical Dof alert along the Ulua, Humaya, and assistance and monitoring of T ungurahua and Sulaco rivers in northwester n Honduras. Guagua Pichincha (Ecuador’s other active vol­ Flooding and landslides occurred throughout cano which is located outside Quito) as part of the country, adversely affecting communities in its ongoing funding of the USGS V olcano many departments including Santa Barbara, Disaster Assistance Program. Santa Rosa de Copan, Choluteca, V alle, and Morazan. Sections of T egucigalpa were flood­ USAID/OFDA ASSISTANCE...... $40,000 ed repeatedly. The Honduran National Disaster Agency, COPECO, reported that 39 people were killed, 30,022 residents were evacuated, and more than 3,000 houses were damaged or destroyed. COPECO activated a state of alert in September, which allowed the Gover nment of El Salvador Honduras to implement critical disaster pre­ vention measures, such as evacuations from HEALTH EMERGENCY vulnerable areas and coordination with COPECO’s municipal counterparts. n FY 2000, cases of dengue and dengue On October 5, U.S. Ambassador Frank hemorrhagic fever (DHF) dramatically Almaguer redeclared a disaster for FY 2000 in Iincreased in El Salvador , with 211 cases response to the ef fects of the flooding. reported and confir med from January to USAID/OFDA airlifted 1,176,000 sq. ft. of plas­ September. On September 12, 2000, the tic sheeting to T egucigalpa for distribution to President of El Salvador Francisco Flores IOM, CHF, and USAID/Tegucigalpa. Total cost declared a national emergency due to the con­ of the plastic sheeting and transport was tinued increase in casualties as a result of the $35,000. USAID/OFDA also provided $220,141

OFDA FY 2000 79 LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN to IOM and $161,450 to CHF for emer gency shelter materials and water and sanitation Mexico assistance, which benefited 1,472 displaced FLOODS families. Using USAID/OFDA plastic sheeting, IOM constructed 800 shelters in 10 municipal­ everal weeks of torrential rains struck ities in the departments of Cortes, Y oro, and east-central Mexico in October 1999 Colon. CHF built 600 shelters in 29 communi­ Scausing flash floods and mudslides in ties in the departments of Yoro, Santa Barbara, Hidalgo, Veracruz, Oaxaca, Puebla, Chiapas, Cortes, Atlantida, Choluteca, and Colon. (For and T abasco provinces. More than 300,000 additional background infor mation, please people were rendered homeless and an addi­ see the "Honduras – Floods" case report in the tional 500 people died as a result of the FY 1999 USAID/OFDA Annual Report.) floods. At the height of the flooding, approxi­ mately 66,700 people were housed in govern­ USAID/OFDA ASSISTANCE...... $416,591 ment emergency shelters.

The Central American Mitigation Initiative Mitigating Disasters Before They Happen

n late October 1998, Hurricane Mitch swept Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. This fund­ through Central America with sustained winds of ing was provided to the USAID Missions in the four I112 kilometers per hour , causing devastating affected countries and the USGS. USAID/San Sal­ floods, massive infrastructure and property destruc­ vador received $500,000 to enhance the tion, and significant population displacement. Up Salvadoran national emergency systems and to 10,000 people were killed, an estimated 3.6 mil- implement environmental management inter ven­ lion people were af fected, and nearly 100,000 tions, USAID/Guatemala received $500,000 to homes destroyed. On March 11, 1999, after sur­ bolster national emergency systems, veying hurricane damage in El Salvador, USAID/Tegucigalpa received $1.5 million to Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua, President strengthen national risk management systems, and Clinton announced a three-year , $11 million USAID/Managua received $100,000 to hire a dis­ Central American Mitigation Initiative (CAMI) and aster mitigation advisor. USGS received $660,000 named USAID/OFDA as the project’s implementer. in funding for national flood aler t systems and CAMI’s goal is to reduce or negate the impact of automated stream gauges in El Salvador, natural disasters in Central America by financing Guatemala, and Nicaragua. In Honduras, USGS activities that increase the capability of regional, will use the funding to suppor t a geographic infor­ national, municipal, and community authorities and mation and remote-sensing specialist to coordinate organizations to forecast, monitor, respond to, and data-gathering, train specialists at the Honduran prevent disasters. civil defense agency (COPECO) and its par tner NGO, and reinforce the linkages between USAID/OFDA’s first activity was to fund a post- COPECO, its par tner NGO, and the 40 towns Mitch assessment by the Inter national Resources involved in the USGS’ s municipal GIS project. Group (IRG) to deter mine gaps in disaster mitiga­ USAID/OFDA also provided $840,000 to the tion and response capacities in Central America, to USGS V olcano Disaster Assistance Program identify root causes of vulnerabilities, prioritize (VDAP) for a three-year period to address volcano risks from natural hazards, and develop measura­ hazards mitigation in Central America. ble objectives required to address those gaps and weaknesses. Based largely on the findings from In FY 2001 and FY 2002, approximately $6 million IRG’s assessment, USAID/OFDA began designing will be awarded to NGOs for community disaster and implementing action plans in cooperation with preparedness in Central America, and NOAA will other USG agencies. receive funds (approximately $900,000) for strengthening early-warning systems in the region. In FY 2000, USAID/OFDA provided more than $3.9 million for mitigation activities in El Salvador , — Giselle Zimmerman

80 OFDA FY 2000 LATIN AMERICA AND THE On October 13, 1999, U.S. Ambassador Concepción, Caaguazu, and San Pedro. CARIBBEAN Jeffrey Davidow issued a disaster declaration On October 8, 1999, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires for Mexico in response to the mudslides and Stephen G. McFarland redeclared a disaster for flooding. USAID/OFDA provided $100,000 FY 2000 due to the drought in the department through USAID/Mexico City to the AmRC for of Concepción, San Pedro, and Presidente the purchase and distribution of emer gency Hayes. In response, USAID/OFDA provided food for flood-affected families. The food was $50,000 through USAID/Asunción to the distributed with the assistance of the Mexican Paraguayan Red Cross for the local purchase Red Cross. In addition, a USAID/OFDA region­ and distribution of food to meet the immediate al advisor arrived in Mexico City on October needs of approximately 4,000 affected families 14 to coordinate USG relief efforts and conduct in the Department of Concepción and San assessments with USAID/Mexico City staf f. Pedro. On March 6, 2000, the U.S. Embassy in USAID/OFDA ASSISTANCE...... $100,000 Asunción issued a second disaster declaration for Central Chaco. On March 9, USAID/OFDA provided $25,000 through USAID/Asunción to the Paraguayan Red Cross for the local pur­ chase and distribution of emer gency food to meet the immediate needs of drought-af fected Paraguay populations. Through USAID/OFDA assistance in FY 1999 and 2000, the Paraguayan Red DROUGHT Cross provided basic food rations for 25,750 people in 116 localities in the departments of n the fall of 1999, serious drought condi­ Boquerón, Concepción, Presidente Hayes, and tions af fected parts of wester n and north- San Pedro. Ieastern Paraguay following a prolonged At USAID/Asunción’s request, a four -per- period without significant rainfall. Severe frost, son USAID/OFDA non-food assessment team wildfires, and lack of infrastructure further traveled to Paraguay between June 3-16 to exacerbated the drought conditions. An esti­ evaluate humanitarian needs and make recom­ mated 17 indigenous communities or 22,000 mendations for the integration of basic needs people in the department of Boquerón and into the USAID Mission’s longer-term develop­ 8,000 families in the department of San Pedro ment program for Paraguay. T eam members were affected by the drought. Significant loss­ conducted field visits in the departments of es of livestock and crops were reported in the Boquerón, Caaguazú, Concepción, and departments of Boquerón, Presidente Hayes, Presidente Hayes; met with members of the

A USAID/OFDA assessment team member inspects a community garden in the Department of Presidente Hayes, Paraguay, where rains gave new hope for a better harvest following months of drought (photo by Alejandro James, USAID/OFDA).

OFDA FY 2000 81 LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN local gover nments af fected, including repre­ two weeks of December was more than 27 sentatives from the regional health and agri­ centimeters. An additional 89 centimeters of rainfall was recorded between December 14- 16. On December 16, the Gover nment of Venezuela (GOV) declared a state of emer­ gency for the states of Carabobo, Falcon, Miranda, Nueva Esparta, T achira, Y aracuy, Zulia, and V argas, and the federal district of Caracas. The states of Miranda and V argas were most severely af fected by the flooding. According to IFRC, 30,000 people died and more than 400,000 residents were af fected by the floods and mudslides. IFRC also reported that 190,000 people were evacuated from affected areas and housed in more than 600 temporary emergency shelters throughout the country. The Venezuelan civil defense report­ ed 81,000 homes damaged and an additional 30,000 completely destroyed. According to A USAID/OFDA culture sector; and interviewed members of HidroVen, the state-owned water authority, health specialist drought-affected communities. 70% of the water systems in the af fected areas talks with drought The team did not recommend any addi­ was damaged. victims in rural tional emergency relief interventions since the On December 16, 1999, U.S. Ambassador Paraguay to learn major impacts of the drought had already sub- John Maisto declared a disaster in V enezuela of the drought’s sided. However, the USAID/OFDA team rec­ due to the ef fects of the flooding and mud- impact on ommended that USAID/Asunción examine slides. In response, USAID/OFDA provided community health potential interventions in the areas of risk $25,000 through the U.S. Embassy to the (photo by Alejandro management training and early-war ning sys­ Venezuelan Red Cross and the Catholic- James, tems for forest fires. The team also recom­ Episcopal Conference for the local purchase of USAID/OFDA). mended that USAID/Asunción consider sup- non-food relief supplies, shelter materials, and porting the provision of potable water through emergency food. well drilling, water treatment, and health edu­ USAID/OFDA deployed a five-person cation programs. Finally, the team suggested DART to Venezuela on December 18 to coor­ that USAID/Asunción consider funding activi­ dinate relief activities with the U.S. Embassy in ties to reduce the vulnerability of small farmers Caracas and conduct damage and needs to extreme climactic events, such as initiatives assessments. Total administrative support costs to improve crop storage, develop seed banks, for the DAR T were $162,933. On December and rotate livestock funds. (For additional 19, USAID/OFDA provided $178,235 to the background infor mation, please see the U.S. Embassy for the local purchase of relief "Paraguay – Cold Wave/Fire" case report in the supplies, including 30,000 tetanus-toxoid vac­ FY 1999 USAID/OFDA Annual Report.) cines and 40,000 syringes. On December 19 and 20, USAID/OFDA airlifted 240,000 sq. ft. of USAID/OFDA ASSISTANCE...... $75,000 plastic sheeting, 15,000 wool blankets, 5,600 five-gallon water containers, 10 3,000-gallon water bladders, and 1,500 body bags to Venezuela. A third airlift of relief commodities, including 195,840 sq. ft. of plastic sheeting, 1,600 five-gallon water containers, 1,600 wool Venezuela blankets, and 6,000 hygiene kits and medical kits, arrived in V enezuela on December 23. FLOODS Total cost for the purchase and transport of all relief commodities was $512,700. n early December 1999, two weeks of unre­ USAID/OFDA provided $15,000 to the U.S. lenting rain led to flash flooding and mud- Embassy for the local purchase of equine Islides in northern Venezuela. Rainfall accu­ encephalitis vaccine. The U.S. Embassy donat­ mulation along the norther n coast for the first ed the vaccine to the GOV’s agricultural health

82 OFDA FY 2000 LATIN AMERICA AND THE agency. at $20,928 (including transport), consisted of 25 CARIBBEAN The USAID/DAR T worked together with pairs of chemical protection gloves and boots, PAHO, HidroVen, and other relief organizations 25 full-face emer gency escape masks, 25 pro­ to help meet the emer gency needs for potable tection suits, one portable HAZMAT decontam­ water in the most severely af fected states of ination shower, and five self-contained breath­ Vargas and Miranda. On December 26, ing apparatus units with oxygen cylinders. USAID/OFDA provided $263,284 for the pur­ During the floods in V enezuela, DOD chase, transport, and technical support for assisted with the response operation by trans- three surface water purification units and two porting relief supplies and medical teams technicians. The units operated in Macuto throughout the af fected regions. DOD provid­ (Vargas State), and provided 450,000 gallons of ed 10 helicopters to assist in search and rescue purified drinking water daily to meet the needs operations and evacuate injured and displaced of 80,000 - 100,000 af fected people. persons. In addition to deploying the Joint Task On January 10, USAID/OFDA provided Force (JTF) Fundamental Response, DOD pro­ $376,124 for the purchase, transport, and tech­ vided a 12-person Humanitarian Assistance nical support for six additional water purifica­ Survey T eam (HAST). DOD also supplied tion units. Five of these units were installed in $697,000 worth of medicine and medical sup- Vargas, in the communities of Caraballeda and plies. In addition, DOD provided nine reverse Tanaguarena. The sixth unit was installed in osmosis water purification units (ROWPUs), Sotillo, Miranda. Due to the continued need for which were utilized in the states of Miranda potable water , on January 11, USAID/OFDA and V argas. A DOD water assessment team provided $492,205 to the U.S. Embassy for the traveled to V enezuela in early January and purchase, transport, and installation of 65 worked closely with the USAID/DART. The JTF 10,000-liter water tanks, 16 portable water-test­ assisted in monitoring the HAZMAT situation at ing kits, 20,000 five-gallon water containers, an the port of La Guaira. DOD assistance was val­ electric transformer, and rental of water tanker ued at $8.7 million. trucks. The water equipment and supplies Following the immediate relief phase, a were consigned to HidroV en and benefited USAID/OFDA-funded team of scientists from 200,000 people in the states of V argas and the USGS traveled to V enezuela to undertake Miranda. landslide hazard assessments of the af fected Hillside homes In addition, USAID/OFDA provided areas, and to evaluate and document the mag­ destroyed by $200,000 towards a P AHO appeal to assist in nitude and location of the ef fects of flash landslides near the recovery of the Venezuelan water and san­ floods and landslides. Macuto in Vargas itation and health sector and $150,000 towards State, Venezuela. (photo by Alejandro a UNICEF appeal in support of water and san­ USAID/OFDA ASSISTANCE ....$2,350,481 James, itation activities. OTHER USG ASSISTANCE ...... $8,700,000 The USAID/DART also assisted the GOV’s USAID/OFDA). TOTAL USG ASSISTANCE...... $11,050,481 Ministry of Environment and local experts in managing a hazardous material (HAZMA T) sit­ uation at the port of La Guaira in V argas. USAID/OFDA provided $56,922 to deploy a four-person HAZMAT team from January 3-10 (comprised of one person from the EP A, one person from the CDC, and two people from a U.S. Coast Guard Strike Team). The team assist­ ed the GOV in their initial assessment and the response plan to cordon of f and secure the accident site. The team then provided technical assistance to the GOV in the contracting of detailed assessment and clean-up activities to private sector contractors. The team also worked with the GOV’s on-site first responders in developing the necessary contingency and emergency plans. In addition, USAID/OFDA provided personal safety equipment for use by local HAZMAT experts. This equipment, valued

OFDA FY 2000 83 USAID/OFDA’s Global Training Program Building Readiness and Capacity for Response and Risk Management

hat so often prompts the need for U.S. One of the advantages of USAID/OFDA ’s training emergency assistance when disasters programs is that despite their regional scope, they W strike is the ver y limited professional operate at the national or local level, and are man- capacity many countries have to respond to a large- aged by USAID/OFDA regional of fices in LAC, scale crisis. In the after math of a disaster , the vul­ Asia/Pacific, and Africa. Management responsibil­ nerability of the people af fected and magnitude of ities also are shared with regional par tner agencies the event can leave central and local gover nments and institutions. Thanks to the hard work of both overwhelmed and without the resources required for USAID/OFDA staff and host countr y nationals, the effective response. As a result, the local people, Office is gaining a reputation for providing unique unorganized and untrained, take on the burden of and superior training programs. Unlike other train­ dealing with the disaster alone. In many cases, ing efforts that rely on external trainers who come to human lives and economic assets are lost within the a specific region and deliver a training module, or first 24-72 hours after a disaster has occurred, send host-countr y nationals overseas for training, before professional ser vices and suppor t have USAID/OFDA’s global training program relies on its arrived. in-country base and custom-design, and train-the- trainer methodology. In the late 1980s, USAID/OFDA recognized the need to work with countries vulnerable to natural Host countr y personnel are just as involved as disasters to systematically help them prepare for dis­ USAID/OFDA staf f in designing each course rela­ asters before they strike, thereby reducing the tive to the needs and vulnerabilities of the country in impact of these disasters when they do arrive. On focus. Course par ticipants represent local agencies the heels of a series of major natural disasters in that are among the first to respond to any disaster , Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), including national and local civil defense agencies, USAID/OFDA’s LAC regional team in San Jose, firefighters, NGOs, local Red Cross Societies, and Costa Rica designed and developed a disaster man­ the private sector. This broad spectrum of represen­ agement training program. The program’s objective tation works to promote cooperation and reduce was to enhance regional, national, and local capac­ organizational and sectoral barriers that frequently ity to plan for , respond to, and manage disaster hinder disaster response operations. As a result, events, as well as to strengthen host countr y and USAID/OFDA is well known for providing training local capacity in reducing vulnerability to risk. courses of relevance and practicality . As of FY Based on the program’ s enor mous success, 2000, USAID/OFDA ’s various regional programs USAID/OFDA explored ways to modify and adapt have created more than 12 courses, and several it to fit dif ferent regional contexts and ultimately more are being developed. transfer its benefit to various locations around the world. The program first expanded to the The impact of USAID/OFDA ’s Global T raining Caribbean in 1992, then to the South Pacific in Program extends well beyond what was initially 1994, and in Asia in 1999, and is scheduled for envisioned. In the LAC region, more than 17,000 implementation in Africa in 2001. This expansion is disaster or disaster-related professionals have suc­ an example of how USAID/OFDA is working to cessfully completed at least one USAID/OFDA make disaster management training a global pro- course. Universities in Brazil, Colombia, and Peru gram that is capable of targeting natural hazards have incorporated USAID/OFDA-designed courses unique to a particular region. (continued)

84 OFDA FY 2000 into their curriculum requirements. Fire ser vices throughout the LAC region have accepted and are utilizing USAID/OFDA ’s Medical First Responder (MFR) course as their basic medical training. Each country in the LAC region has a cadre of local instructors capable of teaching the course on their own. Coordination at the national level between emergency authorities (including fire ser vices in training, planning, and responding) has improved significantly in Venezuela, Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Peru.

USAID/OFDA’s Introduction to Disaster Management (IDM) developed by and for the South Pacific region is now being widely and successfully used in ten of the region’s countries. The purpose of the course is to inform local officials and communi­ ty members of national arrangements and their roles in disaster reduction and response. The course (top) A Training for also has been used as a catalyst to develop village Instructors Workshop level disaster management committees, plans, and in Guatemala (photo activities. by Jerry Williams, USAID/OFDA). In the Asia region, there is a high demand for par­ (left) Participants ticipation in USAID/OFDA’s Program for conducting hands-on Enhancement of Emergency Response (PEER), oper­ training during a ating in India, Nepal, Indonesia, and the Medical First Philippines. PEER was designed to address signifi­ Responder Course in cant topics in a region that is prone to natural dis­ Quito, Ecuador asters. The program is comprised of three critical (photo by Miami- focus areas: Medical First Responder (MFR), USAID/OFDA's Global T raining Program lays the Dade Fire Rescue Collapsed Structure Search and Rescue (CSSR), and foundation for effective disaster response in vulner­ Department). Hospital Preparedness in Emergencies. The objec­ able areas around the world. These programs tive of PEER is to integrate both non-medical and enhance USAID/OFDA’s visibility and network of medical communities by working together in a dis­ contacts, allowing it to play a key role in pre-disas­ aster response — a union that is critical in the after- ter planning. These same networks also can be uti­ math of a large-scale disaster . The program is an lized during a disaster response to help effort to improve the search and rescue capability USAID/OFDA provide the most rapid and appro­ and per formance of first responders to ef fectively priate humanitarian assistance required. assess, treat, and transport victims of a disaster and to plan for, undertake, and manage effective search — Joanne Burke and rescues involving a high number of casualties.

OFDA FY 2000 85 APPENDIX Summary of USAID/OFDA Response in FY 2000

Obligations from October 1, 1999 – September 30, 2000 This chart includes funds from the Inter national Disaster Assistance account.

COUNTRY DISASTER DATE DEAD AFFECTED OBLIGATION TYPE OF ASSISTANCE

AFRICA

Angola Complex Emergency 10/08/99 1,000,000 3,700,000 $6,665,994 Grants to Africare, CRS, IMC, MSF/B, WV, UNICEF, UNOCHA, UNDP, and WFP for agriculture, nutri­ tion, primary health care, water and sanitation, coordination and reporting, security, and air trans- port programs. USAID/OFDA assessment team deployed.

Botswana Floods 02/16/00 – 94,000 $46,244 USAID/OFDA field officer and water/sanitation specialist deployed. Procured and distributed plastic sheeting and water test kits.

Burkina Faso Returnees 11/26/99 15,000 $25,000 Disaster Assistance Authority through USAID/Bamako to CRS for provision of food, medi­ cine, sleeping mats, and blankets for retur nees.

Burundi Complex Emergency 10/04/99 200,000 1,120,000 $13,271,130 Grants to ACF/F, MSF/B, Gruppo di Volontario Civile, IMC, and UNICEF for health activities. Grants to Concern, Solidarités, WV, Children’s Aid Direct, CARE, FAO, and WFP for agriculture and livestock, technical assistance, small loans, and seed distribu­ tion assistance to community groups. Grant to IRC for water and sanitation activities. Grant to CRS for distribution of non-food emergency relief supplies. Grants to UNOCHA and UNDP for coordination and security activities. EDRC funded.

Central African Health Emergency 04/11/00 262 900,000 $25,000 Disaster Assistance Authority through U.S. Embassy Republic to MSF/B for meningitis immunization programs.

Chad Health Emergency 04/13/00 580 2,600,000 $0 USAID/OFDA provided a $25,000 Disaster Assistance Authority grant through the U.S. Embassy to MSF/B to administer meningitis vaccines. However, after further evaluation, it was determined that the grant was no longer needed. Other assis­ tance to the outbreak included the EU, France, Luxembourg, Italy, Taiwan, UNICEF, and WHO.

Comoros Health Emergency 01/10/00 14 140 $25,000 Disaster Assistance Authority through the U.S. Embassy for the purchase of emergency medical supplies.

Democratic Republic Complex Emergency 11/16/99 – 1,721,000 $12,931,593 Grants to AAH/USA, AirServ, CRS, FHI, IMA, IRC, of the Congo MERLIN, SCF/UK, and UNICEF for activities in health, nutrition, seeds and tools, food assistance, coordination, shelter, and logistics. EDRC funded.

Democratic Republic Floods 12/01/99 1,500,000 $160,507 Grant to CRS to rehabilitate drainage systems to of the Congo prevent the spread of water-borne diseases.

Democratic Republic Health Emergency 02/16/00 – – $25,000 Disaster Assistance Authority provided through the of the Congo U.S. Embassy to CRS in suppor t of diagnosis and treatment of malaria in children at two main hospi­ tals in Kinshasa.

86 OFDA FY 2000 COUNTRY DISASTER DATE DEAD AFFECTED OBLIGATION TYPE OF ASSISTANCE

Democratic Republic Accident 04/17/00 100 250 $25,000 Disaster Assistance Authority provided through U.S. of the Congo Embassy to IFRC/Congolese Red Cross and Red Crescent Society to address urgent needs of those injured in the explosion and fire.

Djibouti Drought 04/13/00 0 150,000 $173,557 Grants to Caritas, ONARS, and UNICEF for feeding programs, maintenance of delivery vehicles, and health and water initiatives.

Eritrea Complex Emergency 10/18/99 10,000+ 1,250,000 $5,465,384 Grants to UNDP, UNHCR, and Africare for and Drought distribution of shelter materials, blankets, and household items. Grant to ICRC for air transpor t of relief and medical supplies. Grant to WFP for airlift of food relief. Grant to UNICEF for feeding and water and sanitation programs. Grant to MCI for emergency food assistance. Grant to CARE for agri­ cultural programs. USAID/OFDA DART deployed.

Ethiopia Complex Emergency 10/08/99 10,000+ 10,500,000 $14,663,905 Grants to ACF/F, ICRC, Concern, GOAL, AmRC, and Drought SCF/UK, SC/US, and UNICEF for health and nutri­ tion programs. Funded airlifts of emergency food assistance. Grants to CARE, CISP, IRC, and COOPI for water and sanitation activities. Grants to FHI and WV for food security programs. Funded logisti­ cal support and coordination activities through WFP, UNDP, and UNOCHA. USAID/OFDA DART deployed.

Ghana Floods 10/26/99 52 280,000 $25,000 Disaster Assistance Authority provided through USAID/Accra to the Ghana Red Cross for distribu­ tion of blankets and kerosene lamps. USAID/OFDA urban planning specialist deployed.

Kenya Drought 12/06/99 – 3,300,000 $5,699,217 Grants to WFP, WV, UNICEF, IMC, ADRA, LWR, UNICEF, and CRS for programs in food relief, food security, water management, nutrition, health, agri­ culture, and livestock.

Madagascar Cyclone 03/09/00 210 278,000 $2,099,322 Grant to CRS for emergency health, road rehabilita­ tion, seeds and tools, and water and sanitation activities. Procurement and transportation of Zodiac boats, plastic sheeting, and water containers distrib­ uted through CARE.

Mauritania Floods 11/18/99 – 200,000 $113,849 Grants to the Mauritanian Crisis Committee and three local organizations for the purchase of tents, blankets, and mosquito nets.

Morocco Drought 08/16/00 – 275,000 $25,000 Disaster Assistance Authority provided through USAID/Rabat to CRS for potable water activities.

Mozambique Floods 02/07/00 640 2,000,000 $10,312,584 USAID/DART with SAR team deployed. Plastic sheeting, blankets, and water containers provided from USAID/OFDA stockpiles. Grants to MSF/Swiss-Luxembourg, WFP, World Relief, CARE, WV, ACF/F, WHO, SCF/UK, Samaritan’s Purse, and Terre des Hommes for emergency relief activi­ ties, local procurement and distribution of food relief, emergency water and sanitation activities, agriculture programs, seeds and tools distribution, and emergency health activities. Grant to AirSer v for chartered aircraft to support rescue and relief operations.

OFDA FY 2000 87 COUNTRY DISASTER DATE DEAD AFFECTED OBLIGATION TYPE OF ASSISTANCE

Nigeria Complex Emergency 02/25/00 – 110,000 $0 USAID/OFDA provided the $25,000 Disaster Assistance Authority through USAID/Lagos to the Nigerian Red Cross Society for emergency food to IDPs. However, after further evaluation, it was deter- mined that the $25,000 was no longer needed.

Republic of Congo Complex Emergency 10/12/99 50,000 126,755 $4,013,683 Grants to ACF/F, CRS, FAO, IRC, and UNICEF for food relief, food security, nutrition, health, and agri­ culture activities.

Rwanda Complex Emergency 05/09/00 – 1,500,000 $1,148,568 Grants to NPA, IRC, UNOCHA, and SCF/UK for health, water and sanitation, and coordination activi­ ties.

Sierra Leone Complex Emergency 10/01/99 20,000 4,500,000 $11,772,847 Grants to CARE, Africare, CRS, WV, FAO, MERLIN, UNICEF, ACF/F, WFP, and UNOCHA for emergency programs in agriculture, health, nutrition, water and sanitation, coordination, non-food assistance, shelter, and logistics. Plastic sheeting provided from USAID/OFDA stockpiles.

Somalia Complex Emergency 10/28/99 – 12,500,000 $8,388,598 Grants to ADRA, UNICEF, ACF/F, and NPA for water and sanitation activities. Grants to UNICEF, IMC, AAH/USA, and FAO for health programs. Funded logistical support through UNICEF and UNDP.

South Africa Floods 02/16/00 100 – $25,000 Disaster Assistance Authority provided through USAID/Pretoria to the South Africa Red Cross for the purchase of emergency relief supplies.

Sudan Complex Emergency 11/08/99 2,000,000 4,400,000 $22,023,691 Grants to ACF/F, ACROSS, ADRA, ARC, CARE, CMA, Concern, CRS, GOAL, IAS/MEDIC, IFRC, IRC, MEDAIR, NPA, SC/US, SCF/UK, UNICEF, OLS, VSF/B and VSF/G for health, water/sanitation, food security, food distribution, agriculture, and livelihoods activities.

Uganda Complex Emergency 10/29/99 – 824,346 $1,973,372 Grants to IRC, MEDAIR, and CRS for emergency water and sanitation activities (including potable water and latrine systems), resettlement packages, and seed distribution.

Zimbabwe Floods 02/28/00 100 116,000 $169,199 Disaster Assistance Authority through USAID/Harare to the Zimbabwean Red Cross to suppor t relief activi­ ties. Grant to CRS for the provision of non-food emergency supplies.

Subtotal $121,293,244

ASIA AND THE PACIFIC

Cambodia Floods 08/01/00 333 350,000 $352,704 Grants to AmRC for the purchase and distribution of emergency household kits for flood-af fected families.

China Earthquake 01/31/00 7 100,000 $25,000 Disaster Assistance Authority provided through the U.S. Embassy to Heart to Heart to distribute relief supplies to affected populations.

India Cyclone 10/22/99 9,465 15,000,000 $3,302,000 Disaster Assistance Authority provided through USAID/New Delhi to the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund to meet immediate needs of af fected per- sons. USAID/OFDA assessment completed. Grants to CARE and CRS for the local purchase of plastic

88 OFDA FY 2000 COUNTRY DISASTER DATE DEAD AFFECTED OBLIGATION TYPE OF ASSISTANCE

sheeting, household kits, seeds and tools for kitchen gardens, and potable water for the most-af fected districts.

India Drought 05/04/00 0 90,000,000 $1,027,539 Disaster Assistance Authority provided through USAID/New Delhi to the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund to assist the GOI in relief ef forts. USAID/OFDA assessment completed. Grants to WV and CARE to conduct cash-for-work programs and for CRS to construct and improve water har­ vesting structures.

India Floods 08/21/00 867 22,000,000 $161,600 Grant to AmRC for emergency household kits to 30,000 flood victims in Assam, India.

Indonesia Complex Emergency 10/04/99 – 800,000 $11,212,545 Grants to WV and IMC to provide seeds and tools, family kits, and emergency health care in Nor th Maluku. Grants to WFP, UNICEF, CARE, Concern, IRC, CRS, WV, and IMC to provide logistical sup- port, health programs, seeds and tools, agricultural implements, mosquito nets, food commodities and non-food commodities to IDPs in East T imor, refugees in West Timor, and returnees. EDRC fund­ ed by USAID/OFDA. USAID/OFDA assessments completed. Funded restocking of plastic sheeting, blankets, and water containers from USAID/OFDA stockpiles used during FY 1999 to assist IDPs and refugees.

Indonesia Earthquake 06/06/00 103 2,700 $25,000 Disaster Assistance Authority provided through USAID/Jakarta to meet the needs of the most severely affected.

Indonesia Floods 06/06/00 126 50,000 $25,000 Disaster Assistance Authority provided through USAID/Jakarta to Yayasan Sosial Keuskupan Atambua for the purchase of agricultural tools and seeds.

Mongolia Winter Emergency 03/02/00 0 500,000 $692,665 Grants to the Mongolian Red Cross and IFRC to provide food, household commodities, and cloth­ ing. USAID/OFDA assessment team deployed.

Philippines Volcano 02/29/00 0 70,000 – $253,194 Disaster Assistance Authority provided through the 80,000 U.S.Embassy to the Philippine Red Cross to meet the immediate needs of evacuees. Plastic sheeting, water bladders, water treatment units, and water containers provided from USAID/OFDA stockpiles. Funding for purchase, transport, and maintenance of portable latrines.

Vietnam Floods 11/04/99 622 1,000,000 $552,760 Grants to IFRC and UNDP to provide blankets, plastic sheeting, water purification tablets, emer­ gency household kits, and concrete foundations for flood-resistant homes. USAID/OFDA provided plas­ tic sheeting, blankets, and water containers from its stockpiles to the Vietnam Red Cross.

Vietnam Floods 12/08/99 120 400,000 $225,000 Disaster Assistance Authority provided to the U.S. Embassy for the local procurement of urgently needed household items. Grant to IFRC to construct concrete foundations for flood-resistant homes.

Vietnam Floods 09/15/00 460 5,000,000 $241,160 Grants to IFRC, in conjunction with the V ietnam Red Cross, for the provision of food, shelter materials, cooking utensils, hygiene items, emergency kits,

OFDA FY 2000 89 COUNTRY DISASTER DATE DEAD AFFECTED OBLIGATION TYPE OF ASSISTANCE

and fishing nets. Funded three motorized boats for local Red Cross stockpile. Provided plastic sheeting, Zodiac boats, and water purification equipment to IFRC.

Subtotal $18,096,167

EUROPE AND THE NEAR EAST

Afghanistan Complex Emergency 10/01/99 1,500,000 25,800,000 $3,952,588 Grants to ACF/F, CARE, ACTED, SC/US, Cooperative Center for Afghanistan, and Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Support for Afghanistan to meet health, water and sanitation, shelter, infrastructure, winterization, and livelihood needs of affected populations. Blankets and plastic sheeting provided from USAID/OFDA stockpiles.

Afghanistan Drought 05/04/00 – 2,500,000 $2,950,851 Grants to MCI, CARE, UNICEF, U.N./Habitat, and SNI to support livelihoods, agriculture, livestock, irrigation, and emergency potable water activities.

Albania Refugees 10/15/99 – 4,000 $312,898 Grant extension to AAH/USA for nutrition, water, and sanitation activities. Funding for a contingency planner and a water and sanitation engineer. Replenishment of five-gallon water containers to USAID/OFDA stockpiles.

Bosnia-Herzegovina Fire 08/31/00 $0 – $0 USAID/OFDA provided the $25,000 Disaster Assistance Authority through the U.S. Embassy to local NGOs to meet the immediate needs of IDPs. However, after further evaluation, it was determined that the $25,000 was no longer needed.

Georgia Drought 08/18/00 0 1,200,000 $554,205 Disaster Assistance Authority provided through USAID/Tbilisi to the Salvation Army for feeding programs in the affected area.

Greece Fire 07/16/00 0 – $25,000 Disaster Assistance Authority provided through the U.S. Embassy to meet the emergency needs of affected populations.

Hungary Accident 02/18/00 0 – $25,000 Disaster Assistance Authority provided through USAID/Budapest to the Foundation for Development of Democratic Rights for emergency livelihoods activities.

Hungary Floods 04/11/00 2,000 $74,859 Disaster Assistance Authority provided through USAID/Budapest for the purchase of relief supplies. Funding for the purchase of water pumps, sand- bags, torches, and generators.

Pakistan Drought 05/15/00 0 2,500,000- $45,000 Grants to CWS and MCI for seed, fodder, and 3,000,000 potable water activities. USAID/OFDA assessment completed.

Romania Accident 02/25/00 0 – $25,000 Disaster Assistance Authority provided through the U.S. Embassy to Bucharest-based Regional Environmental Center for the suppor t of families impacted by the spill.

Romania Floods 04/21/00 9 – $25,000 Disaster Assistance Authority provided through the U.S. Embassy to meet the immediate needs of affected populations.

90 OFDA FY 2000 COUNTRY DISASTER DATE DEAD AFFECTED OBLIGATION TYPE OF ASSISTANCE

Serbia-Montenegro Complex Emergency 10/01/99 – – $22,391,587 USAID/OFDA’s emergency shelter program imple­ mented through NGOs, Red Cross/Red Crescent Societies, community groups, and others. Grants to ADRA, Concern, GOAL, IRC, MEDAIR, WV, ARC, CARE, CHF, FHI, and Relief International for shelter activities. Contracted Readiness Management Services, Inc. to procure and transpor t timber. USAID/OFDA DART team deployed in FY 1999 remained in-country.

Tajikistan Drought 07/28/00 0 – $25,000 Disaster Assistance Authority provided through USAID/Almaty to ACF/F for the treatment of mal­ nourished children.

Turkey Earthquake 11/17/99 816 50,000 $2,713,975 USAID/OFDA DART with SAR team deployed.

Ukraine Accident 03/15/00 80 – $25,000 Disaster Assistance Authority provided through USAID/Kiev to Community Humanitarian Assistance Program for the provision of food, medical supplies, and other basic items to af fected families.

Uzbekistan Drought 08/22/00 0 – $25,000 Disaster Assistance Authority provided to the U.S. Embassy for potable water activities.

Subtotal – $33,170,963

LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN

Bolivia Drought 01/26/00 0 20,000 $25,000 Disaster Assistance Authority provided through the U.S. Embassy to CARE/Bolivia for the distribution of emergency food and the local procurement of water containers and water treatment supplies. Monitoring and relief operations consultant sent to Gran Chaco.

Caribbean Hurricane 11/22/99 0 – $175,000 Disaster Assistance Authority provided through the U.S. Embassy in Barbados to meet the immediate shelter and relief needs of af fected persons in Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. V incent. USAID/OFDA assessment team deployed. Grant to PAHO for health and water and sanitation activities.

Chile Floods 06/16/00 0 60,000 $25,000 Disaster Assistance Authority provided through the U.S. Embassy to the Chilean Red Cross, Hogar de Cristo, and Caritas to address immediate needs of the flood victims.

Ecuador Volcano 12/03/99 0 25,000 $40,000 Disaster Assistance Authority provided through the U.S Embassy to CRS to suppor t emergency relief programs for the evacuated population. Grant to the Geophysical Institute through USAID/Quito for volcano monitoring and public outreach ef forts.

El Salvador Health Emergency 09/14/00 24 – $25,000 Disaster Assistance Authority provided through the U.S Embassy to the National Emergency Committee for the purchase of medical supplies and equip­ ment.

Honduras Floods 10/05/99 39 30,022 $416,591 Grants to IOM and CHF to provide emergency shel­ ter assistance. Plastic sheeting distributed to IOM, CHF, and USAID/Tegucigalpa from USAID/OFDA stockpiles.

OFDA FY 2000 91 COUNTRY DISASTER DATE DEAD AFFECTED OBLIGATION TYPE OF ASSISTANCE

Mexico Floods 10/13/99 500 300,000 $100,000 Grant to AmRC for the purchase and distribution of emergency food to affected families. USAID/OFDA assessment completed.

Paraguay Drought 10/09/99 0 28,000 $75,000 Grant to the Paraguayan Red Cross for the local purchase and distribution of food to af fected popu­ lations. USAID/OFDA assessment team deployed.

Venezuela Floods 12/16/99 30,000 400,000 $2,350,481 Funding through the U.S. Embassy to purchase, transport, and provide technical assistance for water purification units, water tanks and tanker trucks, potable water testing kits, water containers, an electric transformer, vaccines, and syringes. Plastic sheeting, blankets, water containers, body bags, and hygiene and medical kits provided from USAID/OFDA stockpiles. USAID/OFDA-funded HAZMAT team deployed. Grants to PAHO and UNICEF for health and water and sanitation activi­ ties. USAID/OFDA DART deployed.

Subtotal $3,232,072

TOTAL $175,792,446*

*Total USAID/OFDA spending does not include $1,751,652 in carr yover activities during FY 2000 (see page 16).

Notes: (1) The Disaster Assistance Authority is a discretionar y fund of up to $25,000 available to a U.S. Ambassador or Chief o f Mission from USAID/OFDA upon the declaration of a foreign disaster to meet immediate relief needs. (2) A hyphen (-) in the dead and/or af fected columns indicates that information was not available. (3) The totals for dead and af fected persons in Angola, Burundi, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, and Afghanistan are cumulative.

92 OFDA FY 2000 OVERVIEW Commonly Used Acronyms

U.S. Private Voluntary Organizations UNDP ...... U.N. Development Program (PVOs) and Private Groups UNHCR ...... U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees ADRA ...... Adventist Development and Relief Agency UNICEF ...... U.N. Children's Fund AAH/USA ....Action Against Hunger/United States UNOCHA ....U.N. Office for the Coordination of AmRC ...... American Red Cross Humanitarian Affairs ARC...... American Refugee Committee WFP ...... World Food Program (U.N.) CARE ...... Cooperation for American Relief Ever ywhere WHO...... World Health Organization (U.N.) CHF ...... Cooperative Housing Foundation IOM...... International Organization for Migration CRS ...... Catholic Relief Services CWS ...... Church World Services U.S. Government Organizations/Programs IMC ...... International Medical Corps BHR ...... Bureau for Humanitarian Response (USAID) IRC ...... International Rescue Committee CDC ...... Centers for Disease Control and Prevention LWR...... Lutheran World Relief DART ...... Disaster Assistance Response Team NPA...... Norwegian People’s Aid (USAID/DART) SC/US ...... Save the Children/United States DOD ...... U.S. Department of Defense SNI ...... Shelter Now International EPA ...... Environmental Protection Agency WV ...... World Vision FFP ...... Office of Food for Peace (USAID/BHR) HAST ...... Humanitarian Assistance Survey Team (DOD)

Non-Governmental NOAA ...... National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Organizations (NGOs) OFDA ...... Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance ACF ...... Action Contre la Faim (USAID/BHR) (Action Against Hunger) OTI ...... Office of Transition Initiatives (USAID/BHR) FHI ...... Food for the Hungry International PRM...... Bureau for Population, Refugees and MERLIN ...... Medical Emergency Relief International Migration (U.S. Department of State) MSF...... Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without USAID ...... U.S. Agency for International Development Borders) USDA ...... U.S. Department of Agriculture MCI ...... Mercy Corps International USG ...... United States Government SCF ...... Save the Children Fund USGS...... U.S. Geological Survey

Country of Origin Miscellaneous /B ...... Belgium FY ...... fiscal year /F ...... France IDP ...... internally displaced person /G...... Germany MT...... metric ton /UK ...... United Kingdom P.L...... Public Law /US(A)...... United States (of America) SAR ...... Search and Rescue

International Organizations and United Measurement Conversions Nations (U.N.) Agencies 1 hectare ...... 2.471 acres FAO...... Food and Agriculture Organization (U.N.) 1 centimeter ..0.3937 inches ICRC ...... International Committee of the Red Cross 1 meter ...... 39.37 inches IFRC...... International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies 1 kilometer ....0.62 miles PAHO ...... Pan American Health Organization (WHO)

OFDA FY 2000 93