OCHA Situation Report No. 1 Chile - Floods 16 June 2000
Background The rainy season in the central region of Chile is from May to August when temperatures are cooler, getting down to an average maximum temperature of 10 degC in July. Chile is vulnerable to earthquakes, tidal waves, volcanic eruptions, floods, avalanches and landslides due to its location in an area of geological instability. Disaster Situation Wind and rainstorms over three days (12 - 14 June) had caused substantial damage in central and southern Chile. Affected Areas The Metropolitan Region (Capital City of Santiago) the Fifth Region (Valparaiso), the Sixth Region (Rancagua) and the Seventh Region (Talca). Population Affected/Damage Some 13,000 people have been affected especially in working class neighborhoods and 827 people are in shelters run by municipal offices as of 14 June. The affected people in each region are as follows: the Metropolitan Region: 398 people (in shelters), the Fifth Region: 345 people (45 in shelters), the Sixth Region: 2,748 people (383 in shelters), the Seventh Region: 9,833 people (399 in shelters). National Response The President declared Metropolitan Region and the Fifth Region (Valparaiso) Zones of Disaster. The Ministry of Public Works is evaluating damage on infrastructure, communications networks and others, ONEMI is focusing on the evaluation of affected people and shelter situations. Request for International Assistance The Government of Chile has not requested international assistance. However, it would very much appreciate to receive cash donations so that shelter materials, blankets and medicines can be locally purchased the people who lost homes by this disaster. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is in close contact with the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Santiago, who is monitoring the situation. This situation report, together with further information on ongoing emergencies, is also available on the OCHA Internet Website at http://www.reliefweb.int Telephone:+41-22-917-1234 Fax: +41-22-917 00 23 In case of emergency only: Tel. +41-22-917 20 10 Desk Officers (OCHA Disaster Response Branch): Mr. Erik Haegglund /Mr. Carlos Monteiro-Pereira / Ms. Masayo Kondo - Direct Tel. +41-22 917 3299 / 1383 / 1997 Press Contact: Mr. Donato Kiniger-Passigli - Direct Tel.+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 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -