Botswana - Floods OCHA Situation Report No. 6 30 May 2000
Situation This report summarizes information from the UN Resident Coordinator's Office in Botswana. In view of the fact that the emergency phase has ended, no more situation reports are envisaged at this stage. 1. The last information-sharing meeting was held on 20 April with representatives from the Government, the UN agencies, the donors and NGOs. The Director of the Office of the National Disaster Management indicated the cumulative number of damaged houses was 17,796 and the estimated number of the displaced was 106,776. While the provision of relief items was continuing, the greatest need was now for tents to accommodate the displaced persons. 2. As for the impact on infrastructure, Roads Department reported that the magnitude of the flood exceeded the designed capacity of most roads and culverts. One preliminary basis, rehabilitation/reconstruction of damaged roads and bridges and construction of additional roads and bridges are estimated to cost around USD 646.9 million. The repair and construction of bridges at border crossings would cost USD 56.3 million. The Roads Department requires technical assistance in view of shortage of human resources and inadequate implementation capacity. 3. The above mentioned estimates do not include damages to roads and bridges which fall under the responsibilities of the local authorities. These roads and bridges represent a much bigger and wider network than the ones managed by the Ministry of Works, Transport and Communication. The Government is preparing cost estimates of repair and reconstruction of roads and bridges managed by local authorities. 4. The meeting concurred that the efforts should now focus on reconstruction and rehabilitation. The Director of Office of the National Disaster Management suggested that a consultant be fielded to conduct a vulnerable assessment. The Government has tasked line ministries to gather the information on the requirements for rehabilitation and reconstruction by the end of April. 5. The meeting agreed that: - Post disaster assessment should be undertaken with the objective of drawing lessons and to document best practices for future planning - Contingency planning should be carried out in all ministries - The Government would prepare a report on the impact of the floods on the GDP - The Government would prepare a note on requirements for replenishing strategic stocks (relief items including food) - The Government, UN agencies, other organisations and NGOs would prepare selection criteria for beneficiaries of shelter assistance. In this regard, the Department of Housing, Ministry of Lands, Self Help Housing Agency, Gaborone City Council, Red Cross and Habitat for Humanity have been contacted. - Once the selection criteria established, the Government would carry out a rapid assessment of the number of beneficiaries for assistance and include it in the updated appeal 6. The Government will incorporate all information/data indicated under paragraph 6 into a document on reconstruction and rehabilitation and release it as an appeal for international assistance. 7. This Situation Report and further information on ongoing emergencies are also available on the OCHA Internet Website at: http://www.reliefweb.int. Telephone number: + 41-22-917-1234 In case of emergency only: + 41 22 917 2010 Desk Officers: Mr. Klaus Wiersing/ Ms. Yasuko Sawada, Disaster Response Branch, direct Tel: + 41 22 917 2770/1768 Contact person for the media: Mr. Donato Kiniger-Passigli, direct tel: +41-22-917-2653 Telex 41 42 42 ocha ch Fax: + 41 22 917 0023 distributed by - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Volunteers in Technical Assistance Disaster Information Center lists: www.vita.org/listsub.htm sitreps nat-dsr web: www.vita.org fireline - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -