Disaster Archives©2001

Past Major International Catastrophes

Updated: 4 May 2003 

This page contains critical  information for the Global EM Community

Library

Location: An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.8 on the Richter Scale hit Mexico: epicentre was 18.89 South and 103.88 (Source: United States Geological Survey). States affected are Colima (the city of Colima situated some 500 km west of the capital, Mexico) and Jalisco. The earthquake was also felt in the states of Puebla, Tlaxcala and Mexico City.

Date and Time:  22 January 2003 02:06 (GMT) 

Situation: (OCHA):  The latest toll from the earthquake that hit western and central Mexico late Tuesday, Jan. 21, is 29 dead, 300 injured and some 30,000 homeless or with heavily damaged homes.

Government of GOM:  The Government of Mexico declared a state of emergency in five municipalities in the state of Colima, (Villa de Alvarez, Coquimatlan, Armeria, Tecoman and Colima), enabling the authorities to immediately release resources from the Fund for Natural Disasters (FONDEN), in order
to meet basic needs of the affected population.  Four temporary shelters have been set up by the Secretaria de la Defensa Nacional in La Yerbabuena.  Three temporary shelters are run by the Colima State government: two in Zacoalpa and one in the city of Colima.  Two teams from the Dirección General de Protrección Civil and the Centro Nacional de Prevencion de Desastres (CENAPRED) are conducting damage assessment.

International Response:   Not Requested. This situation report, together with further information on this and other ongoing emergencies, is also available on the OCHA Internet Website at http://www.reliefweb.int  Call the Church World Service HOTLINE for additional updates: (800) 297-1516.

Location:  The worst affected areas are Lezha and Shkoder in the North-West. Gjirokaster and Berat in the South-Western part of the country have also been heavily affected.  All of these prefectures have at least temporarily been cut off from electricity and water supply.

Date and Time: 21-26 September 2002  

Situation: (OCHA): After eight days (September 21 - September 29) of heavy rainfalls and resulting floods, the overall situation is improving (even though weather forecasts predict more rains in the North). The worst affected regions remain Lezhe and Shkoder in the Northwest. In Lezhe, schools are still closed. Some drainage systems were operating at a limited level even before the floods, and damaged dikes and an increased number of buildings in floodplains have contributed to the extent of damage. Currently central
Government teams are carrying out more damage assessments; results are expected within this week. There remains a concern about the safety of drinking water, especially in Lezhe prefecture. Even though clean up and repair works are progressing and main national roads have been cleared of debris and mud, several
villages can still not be accessed by road. Electricity supply remains sporadic in rural areas.  Latest figures from prefectures speak of 16,721 flooded private houses.  Out of these 262 are heavily damaged, i.e., no
longer usable, and 3,429 have experienced medium-level damage, i.e., can be put back to use. 9,700 people had to be at least temporarily evacuated from their homes and 45 people were rescued. 3,295 people remain in temporary shelter (mostly with relatives)  at this point in time with 2,500 in Lezhe alone. Overall
the number of families affected and requiring assistance is estimated at 16,721, including those whose houses have been lightly damaged.  No casualties or missing persons are reported.

Government of Albania (GOA): The Albanian Government appeals for food items such as oil, rice, pasta, sugar and flour;  and portable beds, mattresses, bed sheets, clothing, blankets and detergents. The State of Natural Disaster is still active in seven prefectures. The Albanian RC has distributed 5,690 blankets, 54 tons of wheat flour, 15 tons of conserves, 5 tons of sugar, 4 tons of vegetable oil, 10,000 pieces of soap, and 3 tons of detergent to victims. State Reserves have distributed 23,851 loaves of bread to affected cities and 316 tons of other food supplies. High-pressure cleaners, water and mud pumps, portable dryers and electric generators are needed for clean up operations. A detailed list is available upon request. Contact point is the Director of Planning and Coordination in the Ministry of Local Government: Mr. Bujar Kapllani
Ministry of Local Government and Decentralization
Tel/Fax: (355-4) 233 542
E-Mail: Ercarmen@yahoo.com 

International Response: A request for international assistance has been made by the Government. For coordination purposes, donors are requested to inform OCHA Geneva, as indicated below, on relief missions/pledges/contributions and their corresponding values by item. OCHA is in close contact with the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Albania and will revert with further information, as it becomes available. This situation report, together with further information on ongoing emergencies, is also available on the OCHA Internet Website at http://www.reliefweb.int  In case of emergency only: Tel. +41-22-917 20 10

Location: Southern Bohemia and other areas in the north-west of the Czech Republic 

Date and Time:  12- 13 August 2002 and Continuing

Situation: (OCHA):  The overall situation following the 12 and 13 August floods in the Czech Republic has continued to stabilize. (ACT) The Czech Republic continues to struggle against the aftermath of the
devastating floods that have been affecting the region for weeks, leaving deep scars on the country's infrastructure. The affected population of Czech Republic is slowly recovering while continuing joint endeavours to accommodate the homeless and serve the most vulnerable categories of population. Through this revision of EUCS-21 Appeal, the joint ACT operation in Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary will gain additional support from ACT members The Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren (ECCB) and the
Czechoslovak Hussite Church (CCSH).

Government of Czech Republic: (ACT) The operations (first phase of the disaster) carried out by the army, firemen and other units of the Integrated Rescue System were effective and viewed positively by the majority of the population.  A total of 3,810 members of the Fire Rescue System, 12,530 voluntary and
professional fire fighters, and 7,854 soldiers and policemen were involved in the emergency response operations.  Also the level of communication and information to the inhabitants was good - this was one of the main reasons the death toll was not much higher. As the crises operations continue with removal of debris, the cleaning and drying processes it is obvious that the need is far beyond that which the
local and governmental authorities are able to provide.  The assistance of humanitarian organisations is needed urgently.  (OCHA)The Government has issued requests for both material and financial assistance and has requested OCHA to inform the international community that the bank account opened to assist victims of the emergency is with Ceska narodni banka (Czech National Bank), cislo uctu (account number) 9025-001/0710, Variabilni symbol 2002, Konstantni symbol 379 for cash payments and 558 for non-cash payments (e.g. bank tranfers).  Financial contributions will be invested into shelter repair, obtaining dryers and other humanitarian assistance. Rescue operations are coordinated by the Ministry of Interior of the Czech Republic and interested contributors are encouraged to direct their offers of assistance to the Czech authorities at the below contact: Ministry of Interior General Directorate of the Fire and Rescue Service of the Czech Republic Fax: 420-2-61424035; 420-2-24232321 E-mail: rhzs.opis@grh.izscr.cz 

International Assistance:  OCHA is in close contact with the Permanent Mission of the Czech Republic in Geneva and will revert with further information, as it becomes available.  OCHA Website at http://www.reliefweb.int   In case of emergency only: Tel. +41-22-917 20 10  ACT: ACT members in responding to the most immediate needs of flood-affected population, ACT International will release Rapid Response Funds for its members in the Czech Republic and Romania. ACT Appeals Officer, Leila Dzaferovic (phone +41 22 791 6710 or mobile phone +41 79 757 9206)

Location: Roshtqala District in Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Province

Date and Time:  7 August 2002 and Continuing

Situation: (OCHA): On 7 August a flash flood struck the village of Dasht close to the administrative centre of the Roshtqala District in Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Province.  The Prime Minister of Nepal chaired a coordination meeting on the evening of 8 August with all the organizations and government departments involved in the relief effort. The overall number of deaths was reported at 24, revised from the initial report of 28 casualties. However the infrastructural damage and destruction reported previously by the Ministry of Emergency Situations was confirmed.  501 persons are currently displaced to neighbouring villages.  Local authorities believe that the capacity to host them will not last beyond 2-3 days, as the communities in the area are extremely poor. Emergency shelter support will continue to be required until reconstruction efforts can get underway.

Government of Tajikistan: The Prime Minister was joined today by President Rakhmonov who flew out
to Khorog to assess the conduct of the relief effort. Teams are continuing work at the site of the disaster and a decision has been taken not to recover the bodies of those buried under the mudslide due to the complexity of such activity with the resources available.

International Response: The Humanitarian Coordinator and OCHA are expected to visit the site of
the disaster on Monday.  OCHA has approved an emergency cash grant of US$34,400 (US$ 24,400 from OCHA emergency fund and US$ 10,000 from a Norwegian contribution) based on a detailed list of needs submitted by the UN RC's Office in Tajikistan. These funds will be used by OCHA-Tajikistan for the immediate local procurement of tents and related shelter items. WFP is distributing a one-month food aid ration (wheat flour, oil, sugar and salt) to 501 persons affected by the disaster using food stocks from its Khorog warehouse. The USAID office in Almaty has committed itself to provide US$50,000 worth of assistance both in kind (mainly emergency shelter and related items) as well as cash assistance to support relief efforts.  The donation will be channeled through the Agha Khan Foundation office in Dushanbe. OCHA is prepared to serve as channel for cash contributions to be used for immediate relief assistance, ico-ordination/consultation with relevant organizations in the United Nations system. http://www.reliefweb.int 

Location: El Salvadore and Honduras

Date and Time:  14 to 20 July 2002 and Continuing

Situation: (OCHA): According to the Pan American Health Organization (WHO/PAHO), the risk
of contracting a clinical form of dengue is increasing in Central America, particularly in El Salvador and Honduras. In El Salvador, during the period from 14 to 20 July 2002, the risk was 5.4 times greater than
compared to the same period last year. In Honduras, comparing data for the period from 7 to 13 July 2002 against the data for the same period in 2001, it is estimated that the risk is 3.58 times higher.
www.paho.org/english/ped/dengue_Epidemic.htm  Dengue is a mosquito-borne infection, found in tropical and sub-tropical regions around the world, predominantly in urban and semi-urban areas. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there may be 50 million cases of dengue infection worldwide every year. For further information, please refer to the website, www.who.int/inf-fs/en/fact117.html 

Government of El Salvadore: In view of an increasing number of cases of dengue fever, along with
the detection of a new strain in the department of Usulutan, the Government of El Salvador extended the state of emergency, previously covering four departments, to cover the entire territory on 26 July. As of
1 August, 9 people have died this year, according to the health authorities.

Government of Honduras: Honduras also declared national emergency on 15 July due to the dengue
epidemic. According to the Comision Permanente de Contingencias (COPECO),
as of 31 July, the number of deaths is 12 (www.copeco.hn). Three of the 28 national hospitals, of which two in Tegucigalpa and one in San Pedro Sula, are providing medical care for cases of dengue 24 hours a day.

International Assistance: El Salvador: The health authorities updated an appeal to the international community for the amount of approx. USD 1.5 million.  It includes public awareness campaign 'Casa Limpia,' medical care for dengue patients, epidemiological and entomological surveillance and the
establishment of national technical teams. Honduras: The health authorities communicated the needs for the
dengue epidemiology, amounting to USD 4.6 million. It includes equipment for, fumigation, insecticides, public awareness campaign and monitoring. www.paho.org/disasters 

Location: Chitwan, Dhanusha, Makawanpur, Saptari, Mahottari, Syangja, and Kavre districts in Nepal

Date and Time:  14 July 2002 and Continuing

Situation: (OCHA/ACT):  Torrential and persistent monsoon rains over the last week of July and early August in central Nepal have caused significant damage and loss of life. According to the reports received from Nepal Red Cross Society District Chapters & Ministry of Home Affaire, the recent floods and landslides have affected approximately 301,046 persons and 49,249 families in 49 districts of the kingdom.  The Nepal Red Cross Society has provided relief materials to approximately 61,224 persons of 9,419 families in more than 43 districts.  In certain central districts, the intensity of rainfall has exceeded records; in the plains district of Sarlahi one day's rainfall volume exceeded 200 millimetres, the heaviest recorded in the
past 200 years Though flood damage was very localised in the western Districts, related seasonal problems have also caused localised suffering.  The high level of insecurity arising from the Maoist insurgency and security operations, the recent resettlement of former bonded labourers (Kamaiyas) whose first farming season has just commenced, together with the lack of farm work during the monsoon seasons has meant severe shortages in certain remote parts of Kailali District.

Government of Nepal: The Ministry of Roads and Transport has mobilized manpower to clear the highways.

International Response: The Office of the UN Resident Coordinator (UNRC) in Kathmandu is in
contact with the Ministry of Home Affairs as well as the Nepal Red Cross Society.  OCHA is in close contact with the Office of the UNRC. Three sectoral working groups of the United Nations (Food and
Agriculture, Health and Logistics) held joint meetings on 30 July, 2 August and 12 August in the UN Emergency Operations Centre. The UN convened a meeting on disaster preparedness gathering the concerned ministries and the international community on 2 August. The next joint sectoral working group is scheduled to take place on 19 August.  http://www.reliefweb.int 

Location: Departments of Puno, Cusco, Moquegua, Huancavelica, Arequipa, Apurimac, Tacna and Ayacucho, Peru

Date and Time:  2 July and Continuing.

Situation: (OCHA)According to OCHA, about 60 persons reportedly died and over 86,000 persons have been affected in Peru due to the freezing temperatures. 200 houses were destroyed and over 20,700 houses damaged, while about 17,700 hectares of crops were affected or destroyed. Among the main needs, shelter, roofing materials, food, health care, seeds, fertilizer have been  identified.  (ACT) There were heavy snowfalls and temperatures to minus 20 degrees.  The most affected are the very poor rural peasants living in isolated and remote areas in the mountains. It is also estimated that 17,896 hectares of crops have been totally destroyed and that the loss of livestock is more than 50%. 

Government of Peru(GOP): INDECI continues to provide relief to the affected areas with the
support of all the agencies that are part of the Civil Defense System.  www.indeci.gob.pe. (ACT)The Peruvian government has declared a thirty-day emergency in eight departments of the southern Andean region (Ayacucho, Arequipa, Apurimac, Huancavelica, Cusco, Tacna, Moquegua y Puno).  Due to the remote location of most of the affected areas and limited government presence, the Civil Defense has had to airlift relief aid into the communities. Recognizing that the impact of this severe weather has exceeded their own emergency response capacities, the Peruvian government has requested humanitarian assistance from within Peru and from abroad.  Their top priorities include medicines for the treatment of bronchial illnesses and materials for shelters and roofs.  They have also requested feed, medicines, and vitamins for the livestock and quinoa and potato seeds for the upcoming planting season (August- October). The weather situation is
not improving and is making communication difficult.

International Assistance: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs convened an information meeting on 16 July, with the participation of representatives from governments, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, where the Head of INDECI presented the situation and requirements. The following bank accounts of the Banco de la Nacion were indicated for cash contributions: Saving Account No. 0000-246840 (currency: Nuevo Sol) Saving Account No. 6000-020952 (currency: US Dollars).  OCHA is prepared to serve as a channel for cash contributions to be used for immediate relief assistance, in coordination with relevant organizations in the United Nations system. For banking details, please
contact the desk officers indicated below. OCHA provides donor governments with written confirmation and pertinent details concerning the utilization of the funds contributed. Desk Officers:
  Mr. Erik Haegglund direct Tel. +41-22-917 32 99
  Mr. Ricardo Mena direct Tel. +41-22-917 14 55
  Ms. Masayo Kondo direct Tel. +41-22-917 19 97
http://www.reliefweb.int. 

Location:  Chuuk (Formerly Truk)

Date and Time: July 1 and 2, 2002

Situation (July 5): (OCHA): Tropical Storm CHATA'AN (the Chamorro word for 'rainy') with maximum sustained winds estimated at 112 km/h hit Chuuk State (formerly known as Truk), one of the four States that make up the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) in the Western Pacific. The State consists of 7 major island groups lying in the Eastern Caroline Islands (5 - 8 degrees North and 148 - 153 degrees East), about 1000 km southeast of Guam and 2800 km east of the Philippines.  Its total land area is 118 sq. km and its population is 65,000. The high winds caused heavy seas and broke power lines and the
communications links between islands.  The heavy rain flooded many of the islands in Chuuk Lagoon, particularly Weno, the state capital, Dublon, Fefan, Udot, and Uman.  On the afternoon of Tuesday 2 July, the persistent rainfall caused a series of mudslides on Weno and other islands, that destroyed about 50 houses and damaged many more.  According to the FSM Red Cross, the death-toll from the landslides
across Chuuk State is 40, including four women who were rescued alive but were dead on arrival in hospital, and two US military personnel.  So far the Government has confirmed 20 deaths, but this is expected to rise as reports come in from remote villages and islands.  Between 70 and 100 persons were injured and evacuated to the state hospital. Locals are still digging through the debris as more people are unaccounted for; up to 10 according to press reports.  The rescue effort is made more hazardous and difficult by the poor drainage of the site, where there is still up to one metre of water. According to a media report on 4 July, survivors are in dire need of food, water and medical supplies. Many of the seriously injured are unable to receive the medical treatment they need. Telephone and radio communications, aviation links, power and water supplies, where available in the affected islands, were cut by the typhoon.  However, the power station is now functioning again, and aircraft have resumed flights into Chuuk.  Although there are sufficient immediate food stocks in homes and local stores, the typhoon also damaged food crops, infrastructure and private property including fishing boats, posing longer-term problems for the inhabitants of the atoll. See: FEMA.gov and www.pdc.org for details and updates.

GOFM: The Government of FSM has requested international assistance. Chuuk State Governor, Dr. Ansito Walter, has declared a state of emergency, and appealed for federal and international assistance. The
Federal Government met in Pohnpei, the capital, on Thursday 4 July.  The National Disaster Committee endorsed the declaration of a disaster and issued a general appeal for international assistance. On the same day the government despatched the deputy National Disaster Management Officer (NDMO) to Chuuk to coordinate the national response.

International Response: The FSM Government has requested urgent assistance from the US Government, particularly for medical expertise and supplies, and for assessment.  OCHA has not received reports of international assistance provided so far. OCHA has alerted the UNDAC Team in the Pacific and will be dispatching a small assessment team.  It remains in contact with the relevant government authorities in the Federated States of Micronesia through the OCHA Regional Disaster Response Advisor for the Pacific in Suva, Fiji, and will revert with further information, if and when available. In case of emergency only: Tel. +41-22-917 20 10

DATE AND TIME OF INCIDENT: 04:00:26 UTC at 35.88N 69.25E and at a depth of 33km. This point is approximately 150 kilometers north of Kabul in Nahrin district, Baghlan province.

SITUATION: Aid agencies on Monday stepped up emergency relief work for the latest victims of an earthquake in northern Afghanistan, which killed at least 50 people and injured another 150 on Friday. Rebecca Richards, spokeswoman for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA),
told IRIN from the Afghan capital, Kabul, that most of those killed were children. The quake, measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale, hit several villages in Nahrin district of the northern Baghlan Province.
http://www.hic.org.pk   

GOVERNMENT OF AFGHANISTAN: A coordination center has been established by UNAMA in Nahrin to provide coordination and communication support to the relief effort. Assistance provided today has been limited to emergency medical services and a small number of tents.

DATE AND TIME OF INCIDENT: 25-26 March 2002

SITUATION: The epicenter of the earthquake was in Nahrin district, Baghlan province, in the Hindu Kush region of Afghanistan. Damage was reported to the north, south and in the center of Nahrin.             (1 April IRIN) - Despite continuing tremors in the earthquake area of Nahrin in the northern Afghan province of Baghlan, further damage has been minimal, a UN official in the Afghan capital, Kabul told IRIN on Monday. "There were tremors over the weekend and the last one was on Saturday," spokeswoman for the UN Office of the Coordinator for Afghanistan, Stephanie Bunker said. Meanwhile, efforts to provide up to 23,000 families affected by the quake with food aid were going well, a WFP official told IRIN on Monday. "Within four days we have reached 60,000 people following the immediate deployment of resources," WFP spokesman in Nahrin, Aljandro Lopez Chicheri said. The death toll, following the quake on 25 March which hit 6.1 on the Richter scale, is estimated at 800, according to the UN. However, other reports suggest a much higher number running into the hundreds. Donors are being advised that relief supplies are needed to replenish the ear-marked stocks that agencies and organizations have diverted to the earthquake zone.

GOVERNMENT OF AFGANISTAN: A second emergency planning meeting was convened in Kabul, Wednesday, 27 March, at 1700hrs local time. The Afghanistan Interim Authority (AIA) planning figure is 20,000 families and 15,000 tents have been distributed or are en route. A shortfall remains of 5000 tents. 100, 000 blankets have been distributed or are en route but shortfall remains of 60,000 blankets. A major shortfall in mattresses has been identified. Only 800 have been made available which currently leaves a shortfall of 99,200. Another priority is water management and distribution. Food distribution systems appear to be in place and medical emergency teams in Nahrin seem to be no longer required. Any new medical teams will be deployed to Puli Khumri for purposes of emergency referral.

INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE: As a result of the coordinated approach and cooperation among the
Afghan authorities, donors, UN agencies and NGOs in responding to the earthquake, the urgent needs of the affected population have been met, mostly by in-country stocks.  Action by Churches Together (ACT) member Diakonie Emergency Aid (DEA) is preparing to re-direct relief goods such as clothes and food to the earthquake area. ACT Director, Thor-Arne Prois (phone ++41 22 791 6032 or mobile phone ++ 41 79 203 6055) or ACT Appeals Officer, Mieke Weeda (phone ++41 22 791 6035 or mobile phone ++ 41 79 285 2916)

INCIDENT: Heavy rains and a hailstorm hit the Bolivian capital of La Paz between 14:20 and 15:50 on Tuesday, 19 February.  The rainfall reached a record of 39.4 litres per square meter exceeding the historical record of 32 litres per square meter in 1976.  Due to the topography of the city and the overflowing of the Choquepayu and La Paz rivers that run through the city, the streets quickly became fast flowing rivers sweeping along people, vehicles, trees and buildings. The rural communities downstream were also
affected.

SITUATION: ( 5 March):  In the city of La Paz overall activities are going back to normality.
Most of the affected areas have been cleaned up and opened to traffic. Rehabilitation of infrastructure is ongoing and the reconstruction planning phase has begun. Ten thousand pamphlets on preventive measures against floods and landslides have been printed for public distribution in high-risk areas.
According to PAHO/WHO, the situation in the health sector is under control: epidemiological surveillance has been established in the city of La Paz as well as in the rural areas. The implementation of the Supply
Management System (SUMA) continues in five reception centres that have been adequately equipped to register all incoming donations. As of 1 March, hundred and twenty families were still accommodated in
the Coliseo Cerrado.  To Date - People affected: 5000, Dead: 63  Injured: 146 Missing: 13 Damage on Infrastructure: Roads and Bridges   Damage to property varies from light to total destruction due to the collapse of residential buildings. Extensive damage to drainage systems, underground river canals and to the street network, particularly along the Choqueyapu and Cotahuma rivers. Several historic buildings located in Honda Street have been severely damaged.
        

STATUS: Areas affected are in the city of La Paz and rural communities downstream of the Choqueyapu and La Paz rivers. A survey is still ongoing to determine the number of those in need of immediate relief and those in need of support because of loss of their source of income (in particular street vendors and owners of small businesses who lost all their assets). A preliminary estimate gives an overall figure of some 2,500 persons
affected.

GOVERNMENT OF BOLIVIA (GOB): The President of Bolivia requested international assistance on 20 February in a meeting held with the international community, the Mayor of La Paz and several Ministers to discuss damage and impact caused by the rain and hailstorm. The local government has set up three temporary shelters, however no official report on the situation of the homeless is available yet.

INCIDENT: Volcanic Eruption 

SITUATION: ( 31 Jan)  Mt. Nyiragongo erupted at approximately 9:30 AM local time (2:30 AM EST)
on January 17.  The volcano produced three paths of lava, one of which headed toward the city of Goma, 18 kilometers to the south.  A fourth fissure opened at 4:00 PM on January 17.  Seismic shocks, ranging from moderate to strong, continue to be felt in the Goma area. Even if these are related with the present
volcano-seismic crisis, these shocks have not been followed by any volcanic activity of volcano Nyiragongo. There were no recordings of seismic signals (tremors) showing magma movements in the area. No eruption is expected at the moment. One more seismic station in Kibati has been added to the Goma Volcano Observatory network.  This brings the total number of stations to 4. The alert level remains Yellow.

STATUS: (9 Mar) (WFP)  The WFP emergency operation for assistance to the volcano victims,
EMOP 10166.0, remains seriously under funded. As of 7 March, only 20 percent of the total resources required have been made available to WFP. Urgent contributions of USD 9.5 million are needed to continue providing food assistance to the most vulnerable people affected by this emergency. Scientists from OCHA and the Volcanic Observatory of Goma have observed an increase in seismic activity in the Nyamurigira volcano, located 45-km northwest of Goma. The volcano may erupt over the coming days or weeks, thus threatening populations living in the surrounding areas.

Rassemblement Congolais pour la Démocratie (RCD): The first preparatory meeting for the launch of a Commission on volcano contingency planning took place between authorities from Gisenyi and Goma.  The meeting was chaired by Mr. Adolphe Onusumba, President of the Rassemblement Congolais pour la Démocratie (RCD)  and Ms. Odette Nyiramirimo, Minister of State for Social Affairs of Rwanda, and included representatives of OCHA and international and local vulcanologists.

INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE:  (29 Jan) OCHA has prepared the outline and criteria of a contingency plan due to be developed in the coming days among local authorities, UN agencies, local and international NGOs. 20.  A consolidated inter-agency appeal for the short-term and mid-term (next three months) is due to be drafted this week.  A major consideration taken into account is the risks of having the population remain in Goma, and how assistance will take place longer-term at camps, transit camps and those with host families. OCHA is prepared to serve as a channel for cash contributions to be used for immediate relief assistance, in coordination/consultation with\ relevant organizations of the United Nations system.  Funds should be transferred to the following account: Bank's Name: Chase Manhattan Bank, NY
Address: International Agencies Banking
               1166, Avenue of the Americas, 17th Floor
               New York, N.Y. 10036-2708, USA
Account's Name: United Nations Geneva General Fund  Account's Number: 485-001802
SWIFT Code: CHASUS33  ABA code: 021000021
Reference: OCHA - DRC-Volcano 2002

INCIDENT: Terrorist Attacks on New York City and the Pentagon

CURRENT STATUS: See FEMA Online

DOCUMENTARY DETAILS: www.infowarrior.org/terror 

SITUATION: As of 12 November 2001, the extent of the damage in the Philippines is
as follows (source:  Office of Civil Defense-National Disaster Coordinating Council): Death toll: 184  Injured: 147 Missing: 106 Affected population: 1.06 million Affected provinces: 13 Worst affected area: Mahinog Municipality in the Province of Camiguin Population evacuated: 183,435
Houses destroyed: 1,119  Houses damaged: 2,811 Estimated cost of damage in USD: 22.7 million

STATUS:  OCHA is in contact with the UN Resident Coordinator Office in Manila, which is monitoring the situation.

GOVERNMENT OF THE PHILIPPINES: According to the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Manila, the Central Government, through the Department of Social Welfare and Development, has provided PHP 7 million (USD 136,000) to the most affected provinces to assist the relief efforts of the provincial and municipal authorities.  The Central Government has also informed that it plans to carry out rehabilitation activities in the agriculture sector.

INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE: No appeal for international assistance has been received by OCHA to date.

SITUATION:  Sixteen days after the devastating floods that hit northern Algeria, the latest provisional toll announced by the Algerian authorities reached 751 people killed, out of which 700 deaths in Algiers alone. 170 persons are still missing. In total, floods may have affected up to 10,000 families (40,000 to 50,000 persons). The fifty other deaths were reported in the wilayas of Chlef (13), Tipasa (11), Relizane (09), Tiaret (05), Tlemcen (04), Mascara (03), Aïn-Témouchent (02), Mostaganem (01), Oran (02) and one in Tizi-Ouzou.

STATUS: Search and rescue operations have ended with the departure of main international teams (up to 80 persons from France, Morocco and Tunisia coordinated by the Algerian Civil Protection). Operations to clean the city continue. So far, more than 1,1 million m3 of mud have been removed from the worst affected district. According to media, at least 800.000 m3 are still to be removed from small streets, cellars and basements. Many roads are still impassable, particularly in Algiers, Blida, Relizane, Chlef, Tebessa and Oran. So far, more that 6,120 houses have been assessed in Algiers (out of which 2,749 are not anymore habitable).

GOVERNMENT OF ALGERIA: The Government of Algeria urgently requests international assistance. An inter-ministerial meeting was held on 17 November with the participation of the 14 districts (wilayas) affected by floods, in order to prepare an exhaustive assessment of relief operations since 10
November. A team of 31 engineers already assessed 1,600 houses in Bab El Oued's area. The Algerian Red Crescent Society (ARCS) has mobilized relief supplies and volunteers comprising 120 relief specialists, 400 specialists and 13 medical teams and is providing 40 tons of relief items (kitchens utensils, plastic sheets and blankets) as part of the CHF 200,000 donated by the Swiss Red Cross and CHF 100,000 donated by the Swiss government.

INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE: OCHA has decided to allocate an Emergency Grant of US$ 30.000 for local purchase of relief items and or logistical support to assist the affected population. In addition, the Government of Norway is providing an Emergency Grant of US$ 30.000 through OCHA to assist the local population. OCHA is prepared to serve as channel for cash contributions to be used for immediate relief assistance, in coordination/consultation with relevant organizations in the United Nations system. OCHA provides donors with written confirmation and pertinent details concerning the utilization of the funds contributed.Funds should be transferred to: Chase Manhattan Bank, NY
Address: International Agencies Branch
1166, Avenue of Americas, 17th floor
New York, NY 10036-2708 USA
A/C name:    United Nations Geneva General Fund
A/C:         485-001802
ABA Code:    021000021 (US Banking Code)
Swift Code:  CHASU33
Reference:   OCHA - Algeria - floods

OCHA Internet Website at http://www.reliefweb.int 
Telephone: +41-22-91712 34
Fax: +41-22-917 00 23
E-mail: ochagva@un.org 
In case of emergency only: Tel. +41-22-917 20 10

Several Red Cross and Red Crescent national societies (UAE, France, Germany, Iran, Tunisia) are delivering assistance to the flood-affected people, mainly tents and food.

SITUATION: After making landfall on the southern coast of Cuba on 4 November, Hurricane Michelle affected Cuba from Pinar del Rio in the east to Ciego de Avila in central Cuba. About 45 percent of the country, where some 5.9 million people or 53 percent of the total population live, has been
affected by the hurricane.

 
STATUS: Cuba 31 Dec - (OCHA) Information available at present indicates that 45 percent of the Cuban territory and 53 percent of the population (some 5.9 million people) was affected by Hurricane Michelle. The immediate needs of the population and particularly those that had to be sheltered or assisted because their houses were affected in one way or another (over 500,000), were met mostly using the reserves that the Government of Cuba keeps in order to respond to emergencies. These reserves, however, are only meant to address very short-term needs and need to be complemented by other sources. Cuba continues to need medicines, foodstuffs, and building materials for housing. The priority is for medicines to attend to children,
expectant mothers and elderly people. Medical equipment is also in dire need in order to equip the medical facilities that were hit and that are now severely strained with more calls for service in the period after the
hurricane. (CWS) Hurricane Michelle was the worst hurricane to hit Cuba in 50 years and struck the Caribbean nation Nov. 4 and affected nearly half of the country geographically, an area of 5.9 million people. The most affected areas are the provinces of Matanzas, Cienfuegos, Villa Clara, Havana and the special municipality Isle of Youth. www.cwserp.org  (ACT) According to the Cuban Civil Defense, the provinces affected were from the northern part of Pinar del Rio province to the province of Ciego de Avila. This represents 45 % of the national territory where 5,899,000 or 53 % of the entire population of Cuba live.  The areas most affected are the provinces of Matanzas, Cienfuegos, Villa Clara and Havana, the City of Havana and the special municipality Isle of Youth. Loss of life has been limited to 5 persons thanks to the rapid action of the Civil Defense agencies and the solid participation of all the people. Infrastructure has been devastated severely affecting provision of vital services such as electricity, potable water, domestic fuel, transportation network and telephones.  Social and educational institutions were also damaged.  A total of 1,500 schools were partly damaged, 50 were razed to the ground or suffered major damages to installations. 

Jamaica - The United Nations Resident Coordinator's Office in Jamaica informs that the Office of Disaster Preparedness in Jamaica issued on 2 November a preliminary report of the damage caused to various sectors as follows: roads (estimated at approx. USD 9 million), gameon baskets, to stop land erosion (estimated at approx. USD 8.5 million), water supply systems (estimated at approx. USD 450,000), health facilities (estimated at approx. USD 380,000). There has been no report on damage to agriculture yet, but assistance is expected to be needed in replanting. 6,000 households are without electricity and there is a lack of potable water and shelter.

Honduras: (CIDI) The United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team,
in country since 8 November, reports that two communities, La Lima in the department of Cortes and La Mosquitia in the department of Gracias a Dios, continue to suffer from flooding caused by Tropical Storm Michelle some two weeks ago.  According to the Permanent Commission of Contingencies (COPECO),
61,051 people have been affected by the storm.

Nicaragua: The latest information on the impact of the storm in Puerto Cabezas, Waspan and Rosita in the North Atlantic Autonomous Region (RAAN) shows: 24,866 people affected, 3,349 houses damaged and 7 bridges damaged/destroyed (source: Civil Defense) and 7,000 hectares of staple crops lost.

INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE: The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) reports that two Post-Disaster Appeals were issued following Tropical Storm/Hurricane Michelle.  The first is for Honduras and Nicaragua for health promotion, violence, disease surveillance and control, water and sanitation and information systems, with a total amount of USD 129,000 requested. The second is for Jamaica and The Bahamas for restored environmental health conditions and epidemiological surveillance of communicable diseases, with a total amount of USD 156,000 requested. For further information, please
refer to the Website: www.paho.org/disasters  OCHA is prepared to serve as channel for cash contributions to be used for immediate relief assistance, in co-ordination/consultation with relevant organizations in the United Nations system.  Funds should be transferred to OCHA account no. CO-590.160.0, Swift code