OCHA Situation Report No. 4
Syria - Collapse of Dam / Floods
10 June 2002


The humanitarian situation resulting from the Zeyzoun Dam collapse is
largely under control.

Situation

1. The humanitarian situation resulting from this accident is largely
under control.  It is now confirmed that some 20 people have been killed
and one child is still missing . Over 10,000 people were directly affected
by this incident to varying degrees, with at least 2,000 rendered
completely homeless.

2.  Damage to human settlements varies from the total destruction of the
village of Zeyzoun, located next to the dam, to partial destruction of
settlements located between 2 and 3 km from the dam, to flooding of the
ground floor of houses in villages further away. According to the latest
estimates, there are about 251 houses completely destroyed, some 121
partially destroyed, and about 200 damaged.

3.  Sixty kilometers of roads were reported by the government to be
damaged.  The vast majority though can still be used. Also damage on the
electric power lines and the telecommunication system was reported. One
bridge is damaged, but usable.  Two schools are reportedly completely
destroyed and at least three damaged.  One health center is partially
damaged but still functioning. One of the storehouses of the agricultural
credit bank was reported to be damaged.

4.  It is estimated that up to 8,000 hectares of arable land have been
submerged for up to a week. Part of the crops survived and can still be
harvested.  The damage is still being investigated by a government
commission.

5.  The Zeyzoun dam reservoir normally filled during winter and used for
irrigation in the summer with a capacity of 71.000 000 m3, is broken.
Although the breach visible in the wall of the Zeyzoun dam is some 100
meters wide, it is estimated that the wall is displaced and cracked for
over 500 meters. Pumping system, which brings water from the Orontes river
into the reservoirs (Zeyzoun and Qastun reservoirs) consists of 4
stations, which have been affected to a varying degree. An irrigation
system, for redistribution the two reservoirs' water to the fields is
partly damaged. As a result of the above damage of the water management
system, there would be negative consequences in the near future for the
local economy.  It is estimated that 40.000 ? 50.000 people depend
directly on the Zeyzoun reservoir to irrigate their farming land
(approximately 14,000 ha). Approximately 3400 ha can be irrigated for a
few more months, as long the Qastun reservoir still contains water.

6.  Drinking water doesn't seem to be a problem, as two existing wells are
capable of fulfilling the needs of the population. Since cholera and
malaria are not endemic in the region, there is a very low risk of such
epidemics

7.  The individual food reserves have been partially or completely washed
away and sources of livelihood, such as land and job opportunities, have
been lost for many victims

National and International Response 8.  As result of a swift and targeted
response by the Provincial and Central Syrian authorities and rapid
reaction by the international community, which sent large quantities of
emergency supplies, the situation was stabilised.  Immediate relief needs
are met for the most part. A residual concern is about the capacity of the
Government to continue to provide emergency food rations over an extended
period of time, taking into account damage caused to crops.

9.  In addition to the National Emergency Committee chaired by the Prime
Minister set up by the Syrian Central government (re. Situation Report No.
2, paragraph 3), the Provincial Government of Hama established an
Emergency Co-ordination Committee, chaired by the Governor of Hama. This
committee includes all principal provincial sectors. The emergency
committee has formed four sub-groups to address specific areas of
interest, namely an assessment committee to assess damage to agriculture,
infrastructure, public property and private property. The local
authorities are currently overseeing the distribution of practically all
relief supplies, including those provided by the central government and by
the numerous bilateral donors. In addition to that, local authorities
provide drinking water (tankers and bottle water) and emergency health
assistance (mobile clinic). Also the local government is planning for
provisional housing for 800 people.

10.  The Syrian Red Crescent Society has channelled the assistance of the
Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement (including donations from the United Arab
Emirates Red Crescent and the incoming substantial assistance from the
International Federation of the Red Cross).

11.  The UN Country Team in Syria, under the leadership of the UN Resident
Coordinator, immediately established a coordinating mechanism to bring
together the UN response and to establish a common interface with
government authorities, as well as with bilateral and multilateral donors.
The UN agencies response is as follows:

UNICEF has sent 100 tents and first aid kits for the camp.

UNHCR has sent 10 trucks with the relief items including mattresses,
tents, metallic containers clothes, blankets, boiler tanks, kitchen sets,
jerrycans, plastic containers, water jugs, plastic ships, and plastic
sheets.

UNDOF has offered 10 trucks for transportation purposes.

UNFPA has made available USD 30,000 for the purchase of 1,000 reproduction
health emergency kits, medicines and disinfectants.

WFP is making the necessary arrangements for the provision of food rations
for 10,000 people for 1 month, which should be available in one-week time.

WHO has provided water purification kits, and has offered essential drugs,
disinfectants, baby milk powder and insecticides of a total value of USD
10,000.

IOM has offered trucks for transportation.  It also has in stock in
neighbouring countries 250 tents and some non-food items. IOM will provide
USD 3,000 to cover costs of transportation of the above-mentioned relief
items from UNHCR.

OCHA has released an emergency relief grant of USD 50,000 to be
transferred to the UNDP office in Damascus. The UN Country Team is
currently evaluating proposals for their use. OCHA fielded a five-member
UNDAC team that arrived in country early morning on 6 June, to assist the
UN Resident Coordinator, the UNCT, and the national authorities in
assessing the situation.

IFRC made available CHF 200,000 (approximately USD 130,000) from their
Central Emergency Revolving Fund to support the relief efforts of the
Syrian Red Crescent Society.  IFRC also issued an appeal on 7 June for
support to 8,000 beneficiaries for a period of one month, focusing on
family food parcels and non-food items.

A group of experts have arrived from French Telecom Sans Frontières

Relevant UN agencies are developing project proposals for medium- and
longer-term activities, and they also stand ready to intervene, should any
emergency need arise in the next weeks or if incoming supplies are not
enough to cover needs, especially in the food sector.


11.  A donor briefing with the international community was held. Some 30
bilateral and multilateral donors attended, which demonstrates their
interest to this particular situation. A number of donors have already
made contributions or pledges for support of people affected by the dam
collapse. These are as follows:

Algeria has sent 2 airplanes with medicines, food and blankets; has also
dispatched a medical team.

Japan has made available USD 50,000, and has sent a technical team to
inspect other dams.

Iran has dispatched doctors and volunteers from the Red Crescent to work
in the camp.

Iraq has sent 12 airplanes with food, medicines and blankets, and also
dispatched a 12-member medical team.

Italy is sending 1 airplane from Brindisi UN Warehouse with medicines
(mostly antibiotics), tents and blankets. It considers the provision of 10
trucks for transportation, as well as a possibility of making a financial
contribution for rehabilitation purposes.

Morocco has sent 4 airplanes with food and medicines.

Saudi Arabia has sent 1 airplane (Boeing 747)  with food, tents and
medicines.

United Arab Emirates have sent 2 trucks and 1 airplane with medicines,
food and blankets.


12.  In the immediate phase, it is important to rehabilitate the pumping
system.  Failure to do so in the very short term will aggravate the
situation even further, as the Qastun reservoir, which is still perfectly
functional, won't be able to be replenished. In the medium term, at least
500 metres of the wall of the Zeyzoun wall need to be rebuilt. Also the
complete rebuilding of a pumping station and rehabilitation of part of the
irrigation system is required. The local authorities have indicated that,
more than material resources, technical expertise is in great demand in
order to carry out the rehabilitation and reconstruction work according to
best practices and ultimately avert the possibility of further tragic
events.  The local government would welcome an international team of
experts, to evaluate reconstruction plans of a local team, which will soon
be appointed by the directorate in charge of the Zeyzoun reservoir. The
team should include experts on dam construction, pumping systems and
irrigation.

13.  OCHA remains in contact with the UN Resident Coordinator's Office in
Syria. In view of the situation, OCHA will not issue any further situation
report.

14.  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 (OCHA Response Coordination Branch):
  Mr. J. McGoldrick / Ms. H. Kuttab
  Direct Tel. +41-22-917 17 12/3194

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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