OCHA Situation Report No. 2
Mali - Floods
09 October 2001


The Government of Mali requests international assistance

Situation

1.  Persistent heavy rains, which begun in May 2001, caused the Niger
river to break its banks and to open floodgates from the Selingue dam (100
km to the south of Bamako) which flooded many areas of the country. Two
people have died and 3,500 others have been affected by the floods.

2.  Worst affected regions are the regions of Sikasso, Segou, Koulikoro
and the district of the capital Bamako. The north-eastern region of Kidal
was also seriously affected.

3.  Flooding has caused serious damage to buildings (1,400 houses
destroyed) and agriculture (870 hectares flooded). Assessments are
underway.

4.  Water floods are now receding, a situation which may lead to the
upsurge of waterborne diseases.


Request of assistance

5.  The Government of Mali, through the Ministry of Security and Civil
Protection, has requested the assistance of the United Nations for the
affected population. Support in the following areas was requested:

   - Relief items:
   - Blankets
   - Kitchen tools
   - Tents (family size)
   - Buckets (plastic)
   - Food
   - Drugs (hygienic and prophylactic)


6.  OCHA is in close contact with the office of the Resident Coordinator
in Mali and will revert with further information, as it becomes available.

7.  This situation report, together with further information on ongoing
emergencies, is also available on the OCHA Internet Website at
http://www.reliefweb.int


Telephone: +41-22-91712 34
Fax: +41-22-917 00 23
E-mail: ochagva@un.org

In case of emergency only: Tel. +41-22-917 20 10

Desk Officer:
  Mr. Max Bonnel
  Direct Tel. +41-22-917 1457

Press contact:
  (GVA)  Ms. Elizabeth Byrs, direct Tel. +41-22-917 26 56
  (NYC)  Ms. Phyllis Lee, direct Tel. +1-212-963 48 32


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