OCHA Situation Report No. 3
Syria - Collapse of Dam / Floods
7 June 2002


The UNDAC Team carries out initial field assessment

Situation

1.  Over 60 million cubic meters of water flowed from a breach
approximately 40 meters high and 150 meters wide from the Zeyzoun Dam. The
UNDAC Team share the views of the local authorities, i.e. that the
immediate consequences of such a dramatic event were relatively limited.
This is presumably due to three factors: a) the area downstream from the
dam is relatively sparsely populated; b) the population was warned well in
advance and had time to evacuate and c) the dam did not simply collapse,
but was rather progressively eroded by an increasing flow of water on 4
June 2002.

2.  Between 10,000 - 8,000 persons are estimated to be homeless. Official
number of deaths remains a 20 with one child still missing. No figures for
the injured were provided.

3.  One village immediately under the dam has simply disappeared.
Dwellings further away (1 to 3 km) show varying but generally limited
damage.  Few houses completely collapsed, and a good number of houses with
some structural damage are apparently habitable. The local authorities'
latest estimates speak of 251 houses completely destroyed and some 170
severely damaged.

4.  The level of the water at the peak of the flooding (as identified by a
brown line on the walls of the buildings) decreases rapidly with distance
from the dam. At approximately 10 km, there were no indications that the
water had reached the interior of the houses. An area of approximately 12
square km is still flooded in the vicinity of the dam, but the water
appears only 30-40 cm deep and it is likely to evaporate in a matter of
days. All main roads are passable. There do not seem to be reasons to fear
a sudden increase of mortality or morbidity or an outbreak of epidemics at
this point in time.

5.  The local authorities reported that large food storage compounds were
destroyed. The local authorities also report the loss of some schools,
health centers and three pumping stations. Losses in livestock and
agricultural machinery are also reportedly severe.


National and International Response

6.  The five members of the UNDAC Team travelled to Hama, provincial
capital, immediately after the meeting with the UN Resident Coordinator
and the Country Team held in Damascus. Upon arrival in Hama, the Team was
received by the provincial Governor, who then chaired a meeting with the
participation of the UN Heads of Agency, who had also traveled from
Damascus. The Team then traveled to the affected area and carried out a
preliminary assessment.

7.  In the immediate vicinity of the dam, a temporary camp of about 100
tents was set up by the Syrian Red Crescent. Current population is
estimated at about 1,000 and, according to Red Crescent officials, is
likely to grow in the days to come. Water is provided through governmental
tankers. The Government also provides food items. Sanitation facilities
had already been set up. A mobile clinic established by the Ministry of
Health is providing basic health services. Living conditions are extremely
basic but likely to improve shortly thanks to the planned distributions of
non-food items.

8.  The Government extended also assistance to the less damaged areas,
where food distributions and several clean-up and rehabilitation works
involving heavy machinery are on-going. Local authorities mentioned that
they intend to continue to provide food to the affected population (on the
basis of detailed lists of beneficiaries that they have already
identified) but that their stocks are running low. WFP indicated that it
could provide further food assistance. The United Arab Emirates Red
Crescent was about to distribute approximately 15 MT of food and non-food
items.

9.  The UNDAC team will be meeting with the UN Country Team and the
Resident Co-ordinator tomorrow.  More details about assistance will be
gathered in technical meetings where the findings of the
Government-established commissions on agriculture, infrastructure, public
buildings and private property will be presented.

10.  Japan has contributed up to USD 40,000 and UNFPA another 30,000 in
assistance.  Although detailed information is still missing, it is evident
that the consequences of the sudden disappearance of an enormous reservoir
of water for irrigation are likely to be enormous. Inevitably, crops for
the next twelve months in the affected area are going to be lost. The
immediate rehabilitation of the irrigation system ?  including the
rebuilding of the dam - was highlighted by the Prime Minister as "the
priority need" in terms of international assistance.

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

12.  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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