OCHA Situation Report No. 1
Syria - Collapse of Dam / Floods
5 June 2002


The Government has appealed for international assistance

Situation

1.  On 4 June 2002, the Zeyzoun Dam, which is located near the town of
Hamah, on the Orontes River, some 350 km north of Damascus, collapsed
around 15:40pm (local time), flooding at least three neighbouring
villages. According to the media, cracks in the dam were first noticed
during the morning of 4 June and residents of the villages were evacuated,
as water started flow from the cracks.

2.  Approximately 60 Km2 wide-area has been submerged, while the flood
water began receding.  It is reported that 10 people have been killed.
As telephone lines in the affected areas have been cut, extent of damages
and casualties remain unclear.


National and International Response

3.  The Government has requested international assistance.

4.  According to the media, the Ministry of Irrigation has set up an
emergency committee to coordinate relief operations.  The official Syrian
news agency, SANA, reported that an investigation team was dispatched to
the affected areas to determine the causes of the collapse.

5.  At 11:00 am (local time), an inter-agency coordination meeting was
convened by the UN Resident Coordinator, with participation of FAO, WFP,
WHO, UNDOF (UN Disengagement Observer Forces), UNDP, UNFPA, UNHCR and
UNICEF.

6.  At the Government's request, OCHA is mobilising an UNDAC team to
assist the Government and the UN Country Team in relief operations.

7.  OCHA remains in contact with the UN Resident Coordinator's Office in
Syria, and will revert with further information when available.

8.  This situation report, together with information on other 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 Officers:
  Mr. J. McGoldrick / Ms. H. Kuttab
  Direct Tel. +41-22-917 1712 / 3194

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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