Zambia: Floods - OCHA-01: 23-Mar-01
Zambia - Floods
OCHA Situation Report No. 1
23 March 2001
Situation
1. The 2000/2001 rainy season has been an unprecedented heavy one. In
comparison with the 1999/2000, certain areas received up to 44% above the
normal rainfall (Chipata, almost 600 mm). The overall situation was
compounded by drought conditions in the southern part of the country.
2. As a result, floodwaters still cover large parts of Zambia, mainly the
Eastern, Northern, Northwestern, Copperbelt and Central provinces. In
total, floods and drought have affected an estimated 1,448,530 people.
Assessments are ongoing in western and north-western provinces, where
flood damage is believed to be important.
3. The National Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) - Office
of the Vice-President - called an Emergency meeting of the Disaster
Management Committee. The meeting, held on 27th February 2001, recommended
assessments of both the flood and drought situations.
4. The DMMU conducted assessments between 3rd and 10th March 2001, in
most districts of Central, Lusaka, Northern, Southern, Eastern and
Copperbelt provinces. In western provinces, only Sesheke was visited,
while Zambezi and Chavuna were not assessed due to logistical
difficulties.
5. Findings showed that the high number of rainy days this year had
resulted in food insecurity and disruption of the transportation system.
Worst flood-affected areas are:
|----------+-----------+--------------+----------------+----------------|
| Provinces| Affected | Damage to | Damage to | Damage to |
| | persons | agriculture | buildings and | health, water |
| | | | infrastructure | and sanitation |
|----------+-----------+--------------+----------------+----------------|
| Eastern | 350,000 | - Crops | - Most bridges | - Cholera, |
| | | completely | buildings and | malaria and |
| | | washed away | roads | measles |
| | | | extensively | |
| | | | damaged. | |
| | | - Hunger | | |
| | | situation | | - Limited |
| | | | | access to safe |
| | | | | drinking water |
|----------+-----------+--------------+----------------+----------------|
| Northern | 140,000 | - food | - 32 houses | - Diarrhoeas, |
| | | insecurity | collapsed | malaria and |
| | | | | respiratory |
| | | | - roads | infections |
| | | | submerged | |
| | | | bridges washed | |
| | | | away | |
| | | | | - Access to |
| | | | | safe drink |
| | | | | water for only |
| | | | | 35% of |
| | | | | inhabitants. |
|-----------+-----------+--------------+---------------+----------------|
| North- | 67,000 | - crops | Routes | - |
| western | | diseases | impassable | |
| | | | | |
| | (only 2 | | | |
| | districts)| - alternative| | |
| | | staple | | |
| | | affected | | |
| | | (Cassava) | | |
|----------+-----------+--------------+----------------+----------------|
| Copper- | 50,000 | - crop damage| - 300 houses | -Previous good |
| belt | | (80% based on| collapsed. | situation |
| | | 2000's | | |
| | | production) | - rural | |
| | | | districts | - Outbreaks of |
| | | | isolated | diseases due to|
| | | - food | | poor sanitary |
| | | insecurity | | conditions |
|----------+-----------+--------------+----------------+----------------|
| Central | 10,900 | - crop damage| - 2,249 houses | - over 400 |
| | | (80% based on| collapsed | cholera cases |
| | | 2000's | | |
| | | production) | | |
| | | | - most roads | -Access to |
| | | | have been | safe drinking |
| | | | washed | water, to |
| | | | away or are | less than 40% |
| | | | impassable | of inhabitants |
|----------+-----------+--------------+----------------+----------------|
Requirements
6. Though there is no official Appeal, the DMMU has listed requirements
considered to be crucial in the months to come. More details on the
support needed from the donor community are expected next week. So far,
immediate requirements for the flood victims are food, non-food items and
logistics support for a total amount of ZMK 3 billion, approximately USD
826,446 . Summary of requirements (full details available with OCHA)
comprise:
FOOD
Relief food and distribution of maize, cooking oil, salt and fish.
Supply and distribution of agricultural inputs such as seeds.
NON-FOOD ITEMS
Health, water and sanitation
Health centre kits (against diarrhoea and cholera)
Supply of High Energy Protein Supplements (HEPS)
Water purification equipment / water hand pumps / rubber water tanks
Assistance in repairing sewage systems
Provision of proper sanitary facilities
Chlorine
Shelter
Tents, blankets, plastic sheeting
LOGISTICS
Transportation:
Air transport (distribution of goods, evacuation of people, assessment of
situation)
Road transport
Marine transport such as boats to facilitate evacuation and transportation
of relief food.
Emergency repairs:
Assistance in repairing and maintaining roads and bridges
Assistance in repairing and rehabilitating damaged schools and health
institutions
6. OCHA, in cooperation with the UN Resident Coordinator, is monitoring
the situation and will provide further updates, including details of
relief needs, as soon as they are available.
7. This Situation Report and further information on ongoing emergencies
are also available on the OCHA Internet Website at:
http://www.reliefweb.int.
Telephone: +41-22-91712 34
Fax: +41-22-917 00 23
E-mail: ochagva@un.org
In case of emergency only: Tel. +41-22-917 20 10
Desk Officers (OCHA Disaster Response Branch):
Mr. K. Wiersing / Ms. Y. Sawada / Mr. M. Bonnel
direct Tel. +41 22 917 2270/1768/1457
Press contact: Mr. Donato Kiniger-Passigli, direct Tel. +41-22-91726 53
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