OCHA Situation Report No. 1
Ecuador - Floods and Landslides
14 June 2001


Government Declares State of Emergency in four provinces of the Amazon
region

Situation

1.  The Government of Ecuador has declared the state of emergency for the
provinces of Morona-Santiago, Napo, Pastaza, and Zamora-Chinchipe. Through
this measure, the Ministry of Finance will be able to allocate the
necessary resources to cope with the emergency situation. These resources
will be channeled through Civil Defense, sectoral Ministries and local
governments.

2.  This Declaration comes after 10 days of heavy rains that have caused
floods and numerous landslides in 10 provinces over the past 48 hours:
Azuay, Chimborazo, Francisco de Orellana, Morona-Santiago, Napo, Pastaza,
Pichincha, Sucumbios, Tungurahua and Zamora-Chichipe.

3.  According to latest reports from the Ecuadorian Red Cross, the number
of dead persons has now climbed to 38 and there are 13 persons missing.
The Civil Defense reports damage to roads and bridges and housing. In the
province of Zamora-Chinchipe, schools have been closed and there are
reports of losses in agriculture and livestock.

4.  An important consequence of the present emergency is the destruction
of the country's oil and gas pipeline in two segments. Besides the
environmental impact of the oil spill, oil exports have been interrupted
creating a loss of approximately US$1.4 million per day. According to
initial estimates, it will take eight days to repair these damages at an
estimated cost of US300, 000.


National response

5.  Emergency Operations Centers have been activated by local authorities.  
Civil Defense is coordinating search and rescue operations in the areas
affected by landslides.  An assessment of damages has been initiated and
relief assistance is being provided to the affected families.


International Response

6.  Thus far, the Government of Ecuador has not requested international
assistance.

7.  The UN Resident Coordinator is following the situation closely with
the support of the OCHA Regional Disaster Response Advisor for South
America, stationed in the capital city, Quito.

8.  This Situation Report and further information on ongoing emergencies
are also available on the OCHA 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:
  Mr. Erik Haegglund / Mr. Carlos Pereira / Ms. Masayo Kondo
  Direct tel: +41-22-917 32 99/13 83/19 97

Press contact:
  Ms. M. Moulin-Acedo, direct Tel. +41-22-917 26 53

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