Kwattaweg nr. 29 Paramaribo, Suriname Tel/Fax (597) 520840 – 471511 ext. 226 E‐mail: [email protected] Flooding 2008 South Suriname Situation Analysis 16 June 2008 I. Introduction Since some weeks there have been relatively heavy rains in all of South Suriname, following a rather ‘wet’ and short dry season. Rainfall increased over the past few days with high peaks in the weekends of 1 and 7 June 2008. This led to flooding of especially the Tapanahony and Marowijne rivers, partly or fully submerging various villages, their agricultural plots and other surrounding lands. The following areas are most affected: • Tapanahoni and Lawa area • Upper Marowijne area • Coeroeni area Although the situation is not as extensive as during the emergency situation of May/June 2006, it can still be concluded, based on the available information, that there is a critical situation with far reaching impact on the local population. This will be further elaborated upon in following sections of this report. II. Methodology The following information sources and methods have been utilized in preparing the current report: 1. NCCR Situation Analysis of 12 June 2008 by which NCCR reported in writing to the Government of Suriname; 2. Observations from local military posts, the government service department (Bestuursdienst) of the District Commissioner’s Office of the Sipaliwini district, various government ministries including the Ministries of Regional Development, Health, Agriculture; the Suriname Red Cross; the Medical Mission and various NGOs operating in the Interior; 3. Information received from inhabitants or visitors from the affected areas; 4. Analysis of daily field reports and updates, among others from the Aviation Service and the Meteorological Service. III. Current situation a. Affected areas The areas affected are in the Southern part of Suriname, more in particular the district of Sipaliwini. In terms of human population, the following administrative resorts have been affected to‐date: 1 Area (river basins) Approximate Percentage of Areas mostly Nr. of population total displaced affected severely affected population population Upper Saramacca 1,937 0% Pusugrunu, Nyun 0 Jacobkondre, Bigi Poika Upper Suriname 24,138 0% Dyumu, Semoisi, 0 Pikin Slee Coeroeni and 1,415 0% Kwamalasamutu, 0 Kabalebo Alalapadu, Sipaliwini, Lucie, Kasju, Amatopu Upper Marowijne 13,200 30% Langatabiki, 3,960 Snesikondre, Apomatapu, Lokaloka, Nason, Sikin Tabiki Lawa 1,365 35% Cottica (dorp), 478 Benzdorp, Kawemhaken and surroundings Tapanahoni 7,035 30% Tepu, Palumeu, 2,110 Apetina Total 49,090 6,548 b. Damage by sector - Buildings: Stone and wood: Policlinics, schools, shops, storage rooms, powerhouses, workshops, libraries, residential houses, tourist resorts, sawmills - Buildings: Wood/forest building materials: residential houses, tourist resorts, krutu osos (community halls), spiritual places - Roads: walkways between villages - Local ports/and harbors (aanmeersteigers): many local river ports in all villages - Airstrips: 1. Functional: All except: Donderskamp, Langatabbetje, Sipaliwini - Telecommunication: 1. Telesur connected areas: Pokigron, Abenaston, Guyaba, Asidonhopo, Djumu, Gunzi, Dritabiki Pamboko, Jaw Jaw, Isadou, Nieuw Aurora, Pikin Slee, Botopasi, Futunakaba: all functional 2. Two‐way radios: Medical Mission, VIDS, VSG, ACT: all functional 3. Two‐way radios via 120 Telesur: all functional 4. Cellular (mobile) connection: Langatabiki (GSM), Nyun Jakobkondre (GSM), Apoera (GSM); Maripasoela: all functional - Electricity: No detailed estimates yet - Livestock: 1. Home‐based poultry livestock affected in villages: 30% affected 2. Agricultural plots: 65% affected 3. Fishing: 90% affected - Household equipment (stoves, apparels, pots and pans etc.): 30% 2 c. Effects on population - Confirmed deaths: 2 (children) - Injured: Inventory pending - Displaced: Approx. 1000 households (over 6,500 persons) displaced - Water: Drinking water sources are polluted or limited. River water is polluted and collection of rainwater is limited, either due to damage to water collection materials (incl. the Durotanks that were distributed after the flooding of 2006) or insufficient for the increased population in non‐submerged areas - Food: Widespread food shortage due to prolonged submerged agricultural plots and impossibility to fish and hunt in many areas - Education: Most schools closed for some time; currently reopening. Currently 3 out of 16 schools still closed. d. Classification Based on the following criteria a classification of the situation in the various areas has been made: • Threats to life • Food • Drinking water • Shelter • Health • Education • Economic activities A classification, using these criteria, can be made of the situation as follows: 1 Stable situation 2 Alert 3 Strict monitoring 4 Critical phase 5 Emergency Status per 16 June 2008 Area Threats Food Drinking Shelter Health Educatio Economic PHASE to life situation water n activities Upper Alert Saramacca Upper Alert Suriname Upper Critical Marowijne Lawa‐ Critical Tapanahoni Coeroeni Critical 3 IV. Projected evolution/Secondary threats a. Key assumptions A scenario analysis has been done and decided to go with the ‘low intensity’ scenario (the scenarios ranged from ‘best case scenario’ in which the rains would stop and the water level subsiding fast; to the ‘worst case scenario’ with continued heavy rainfall causing increasingly more villages to be submerged, with casualties). In this scenario, rains will continue but decreasing, causing the water to subside gradually over a period of approximately one week, while emergency assistance measures take place. b. Specific threats: a. Seasonal/climate: Prolonged flooding and/or further flooding are not expected over the next weeks. Meteorological reports do not predict abnormal rainfall within the next few days. Prolonged submerged agricultural plots will however, lead to further threats to the food situation given the fact that the affected communities have a rather limited food security. b. Population return movements expected depending on further flooding. Some villagers are already returning back to their original houses. Organized evacuation (in addition to the spontaneous evacuation of community members to other families in their villages) is currently not considered c. Chemicals: There are reports of higher concentration of harmful chemical substances in the river water around the Mindrineti river due to gold mining (large scale and artisanal), with corresponding potential threats to the public health. Tests will be carried out by BOG and NIMOS d. Medical secondary threats: No secondary medical threats expected e. Education: - Upper Suriname river area: all schools functioning - Tapanahoni river area: 5 out of 5 schools functioning (per 16 June) - Lawa river area: 3 out of 4 schools functioning (per 16 June) - Upper Marowijne river area: 5 out of 7 schools functioning (per 16 June) f. Psychosocial consequences: Disrupted social and family life; food insecurity g. Economic consequences: - Damaged tourism facilities - Reduced employment opportunities - Reduced supply services for tourists - Limited food supplies - Damaged micro enterprises (especially women entrepreneurs) - Damaged commercial agriculture and artisanal gold‐mining facilities h. Damage of the last part of the Patamacca road leading to Snesikondre/Langatabbetje (Upper‐Marowijne river) and of the road leading to Bigi Poika (district of Para) i. Increased security risks due to increased presence of illegal small‐scale gold miners forthcoming from French Guyana where they have been expelled during flood relief operations by French authorities. V. NATIONAL RESPONSE a. Organization Authority responsible for overall direction: Cluster Team1, consisting of the Ministers of: Regional Development, Justice and Police, Finance, Health, Defense. 1 Text highlighted in yellow: Decision pending 4 Coordinating structure: Nationaal Coordinatie Centrum voor Rampenbeheersing (NCCR; National Coordination Center for Disaster Control), operating from the NCCR Crisis Center. The Crisis Center receives hands‐on support from representatives from the NGO Interior Network (NGOs working in the Interior), the Suriname Red Cross and PAHO. Coordinating meetings are held daily with all main coordinating and support organizations. b. Administrative measures Affected areas have not been announced ‘Disaster Areas’ but continuous monitoring systems are in place. c. Operations/Mobilization of resources There has been spontaneous relocation of inhabitants of various villages. The Ministry of Regional Development has already provided some emergency food and water assistance and tarpaulins for shelter. Many villages are awaiting emergency goods including tarpaulins, water storage tanks and food. Assessment operations are ongoing in coordination between the National Army, District Commissioners, Medical Mission and members of the NGO Interior Network. No ‘search and rescue’ actions planned. Transport is difficult because of the bad condition (due to continued rainfall) of the access gravel roads to the affected areas. Air transport is restricted due to unavailability of landing strips which have been submerged or are currently rapidly deteriorating due to the frequent landings. Water transport is available using boats of local inhabitants. High fuel prices is a further constraint. Relief items: The assessment of relief needs is currently being undertaken. d. Constraints • Insufficient availability of immediate funds in particular