OCHA Situation Report No. 5 Madagascar - Cyclone "Hudah" 18 April 2000
OCHA/UNDP MISSION TO THE NORTH-EAST The OCHA Support Team, accompanied by a UNDP staff member, was on mission to Maroantsetra, in the North-East of Madagascar, from 13 to 15 April 2000, in order to assist in the setting up of a logistics/coordination center. The team reports that the WFP has made available the services of a logistics expert as of 12 April 2000, and that the UN coordinator, appointed by UNICEF, will be arriving within the next few days. The mission team met with local authorities and requested their cooperation in preparing lists of the affected communities in order to facilitate the work of the evaluation team. After a two-day delay in Antalaha, due to lack of transportation facilities, the evaluation team of five members of the CNS arrived in Maroantsetra on 14 April 2000. After having recruited the local evaluators, the team began its work on 15 April 2000. They have benefited from helicopter transport to reach isolated villages, which should reduce the time needed to finish the report. The situation, as evaluated by the OCHA team, is as follows: Damage to health facilities: 1. In 7 communities, the health facilities have been completely destroyed, while in another 10 districts the damage has been evaluated at between 30% and 90%. Damage to the educational sector: 2. The 120 public primary schools have been destroyed by 95% and only 7 schools were spared serious damage. Unless rapid reconstruction of schools can take place, it may not be possible to proceed with year-end exams, putting at risk the entire school year. Damage to agriculture and food supplies: 3. The floods have destroyed two-thirds of the rice production, as well as 80% of the rice stocks. The normal local rice production is of 77,000 tonnes, which have been reduced to 44,000 due to the passages of cyclones Gloria and Hudah. It is estimated that 15,000 tonnes of rice are required to meet the immediate needs of the two-thirds of the population. International response: 4. The French army made a first delivery of 62 tonnes of rice and equipment, using the transport ship "la Grandiere." A second delivery was effected on 15 April, composed of 75 tonnes or rice, 21 tonnes of relief material (blankets, medical supplies, cholera kits, soap, plastic rolls) as well as a four-wheel drive vehicle. Part of this delivery is destined to Antalaha, depending on the needs. The French ship has left Madagascar on 15 April. 5. CARE and Agro Action have received Euro 1.5 million from the EU, part of which will be used for the purchase of seeds. 6. The World Bank has expressed its willingness to fund the FAO part of the UN appeal concerning seed and small agricultural tools, totaling USD 3.5 million. The exact use of the funds will be determined following the WFP/FAO/Government mission due to start by the end of the month. 7. OFDA has accepted to fund a third helicopter. Three helicopters are now operating in Antalaha, Maroantsetra, as well as in the Center-East. They will remain available until the end of May, with possible extension. 8. The Antonov aircraft will leave for Johannes burg next week-end to do two rotations with collapsible jerrycans and plastic sheeting. Contributions 9. Information on contributions is often reaching OCHA from multiple sources. Therefore, in order to avoid duplications/omissions and subsequently to allow for accurate contribution tracking and coordination, donors are strongly urged to verify the contributions and inform OCHA Geneva of corrections/additions as required, using the form provided. 10. OCHA is prepared to serve as a channel for cash contributions for the immediate relief needs. Funds channeled through OCHA will be spent in co-ordination with the relevant organizations of the UN system and OCHA will provide written confirmation of their use. Funds should be transferred to OCHA Account No. CO-590.160.1 SWIFT-code UBSWCHZ12A - at the UBS AG, PO Box 2770, CH-1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland, with reference: OCHA - Madagascar - Floods 2000. 11. Any future updates on contributions to this disaster may be found by clicking on Financial Tracking at the top of the page for this disaster on the OCHA Internet Website (http://www.reliefweb.int). Donors are requested to verify this table and inform OCHA Geneva of corrections/additions/values. Donors are encouraged to notify OCHA Geneva of their contributions to this disaster using the OCHA Standardized Contributions Recording Format, available electronically in the above mentioned Financial Tracking Website. 12. This Situation Report and further information on ongoing emergencies are also available on the OCHA Internet Website at: http://www.reliefweb.int. Telephone: +41-22-917 12 34 Fax: +41-22-917 00 23 In case of emergency only: Tel. +41-22-917 20 10 Desk Officers (OCHA Disaster Response Branch): Mr. Klaus Wiersing / Ms. A. Carvalho/Ms. de Muyser Tel. direct +41-22 917 22 70 / +41-22-917 3514/3290 Focal Point for media: Mr. Donato Kiniger-Passigli, Tel direct. +41-22-917 26 53 distributed by - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Volunteers in Technical Assistance Disaster Information Center lists: www.vita.org/listsub.htm sitreps nat-dsr web: www.vita.org fireline - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Southern Africa Floods: http://www.vita.org/safflud.htm