OCHA Situation Report No. 3
Russian Federation - Floods
7 June 2001


Situation

1.  Following earlier reports of flooding that affected the Siberian
Region of Irkutsk and the Far East Region of Yakutia in mid-May, the
Government of the Russian Federation has now advised that the most
seriously affected area is the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). On 5 June, the
Government reported to OCHA that more than 6,000 residential buildings, 65
public buildings, 70 km of roads, and 8 bridges were flooded. More than
46,000 people have been evacuated from 30 towns and villages.


National response

2.  The Government of the Russian Federation and the authorities of the
Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) are taking the necessary measures to alleviate
the suffering of the affected population.


International response

3.  In a letter to the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs
received on 5 June 2001, the Government of the Russian Federation
indicated that support from the international community is urgently
required, and sought OCHA's support in mobilizing international
assistance.

4.  OCHA is presently in close contact with the UN Office of the
Humanitarian Coordinator in the Russian Federation and the Russian
authorities in order to obtain further information regarding the
humanitarian consequences of the flooding, national response and how the
international community might help alleviate the suffering.

5.  The International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) launched an
appeal on 28 May seeking CHF 500,000 in cash, kind, and services to assist
15,000 beneficiaries for eight months.

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):
  Ms. Merete Johansson Tel.+41-22-917 16.94
  Ms. Knarik Kamalyan Tel.+41-22-917.16.95

Press contact:
  Ms. M. Moulin-Acevedo, direct  Tel. +41-22-917 31 60


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