OCHA Situation Report No. 1
Mali - Floods
25 September 2001


Situation

1.  Heavy rains beginning in May 2001, have flooded many areas of the
country in recent weeks. Two people have died and 2,320 others have been
affected by the floods in the five regions of Sikasso, Kidal, Mopti,
Koulikoro and in the district of the capital Bamako, where more than 50%
of the affected reside.

2.  Unprecedented high water levels on the River Niger and its tributaries
have brought about floods. The maximum water level registered in September
in Bamako was 425 cm, far exceeding last year's level, and unequalled
since 1967 (499cm). The northern part of the country (Kidal region)
suffered from mudflows.

3.  Flooding has caused serious damage to buildings (1,817 houses
destroyed) and agriculture (870 hectares washed away). The most adversely
affected regions are Mopti (1,463 houses and 351 hectares) and Sikasso
(134 houses and 414 hectares) as well as Bamako district (150 houses
destroyed in Communes II and IV).

4.  There is a high risk of waterborne disease in the flooded areas
(cholera, yellow fever, paludism and meningitis) which may increase as
floodwaters recede.


National response

5.  The Government of Mali has provided assistance to the affected
population in the form of 65 tons of cereals, 200 mats and medicine. The
region of Mopti and Bamako district were the main recipients of national
assistance as indicated below:


Mopti region:

- Medicine - not specified - (from Mali Red Cross / Regional Direction of
Health)

- Mosquito nets - 500 - (from Mali Red Cross and Regional Direction of
Health)

- Tents - 2 - (from the Mali Army)

- Food - approx. 44 tons of cereals - (from General Direction of Civil
Protection)



Bamako district:

- Food - approx. 21 tons - (Bamako municipality)

- Medicine - Chloroquine, paracetamol, metronidazole and Crezil -
(Ministry of Health)



No request for international assistance

6.  So far, the Government has not appealed for international assistance.


Requirements

7.  Needs communicated to OCHA so far are as follows:

Short term needs:

- Shelter items: 2320 blankets, 774 tents and 2320 mats.

- Food: 52 tons of cereals (which correspond to 3 months worth of
supplies).



Long term needs:

- Follow-up on resettlement of displaced families and sanitary issues.



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

9.  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
   (NY)  Ms. Phyllis Lee, direct Tel. +1-212-963 48 32


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