OCHA Situation Report No. 1
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia - Floods
16 June 2002


Situation

1.  The United Nations Resident Coordinator in Belgrade informed that OCHA
Office in Belgrade undertook an assessment of emergency needs in the
Pozarevac region on 14 June, following a flood that began on the night of
11 June after heavy rains. The region, not generally prone to flooding,
was taken off guard after a local river burst dykes along the riverbank.
In addition, a local drainage canal also flooded causing damage to homes
in between the canal and the river.

2.  The deputy head of the local district estimated that 800 families have
been affected by the flooding, but no official figure is available. Fifty
to sixty families have not been able to return to their homes yet and the
impacted community includes a few hundred refugees and/or IDPs (internally
displaced persons). The Red Cross offered these families lodging at an
elementary school, but few families accepted this offer. Most of the
displaced are staying with family and friends.

3.  Damage to infrastructure included flooding of a high school,
kindergarten, and damaged electricity transformers, which have left the
region without power.

4.  One of the main concerns is the possibility of an epidemic spreading,
as an unknown number of livestock have perished and the carcasses have yet
to be removed. Also, sewerage system has flooded, exposing the community
to greater health risk. Officials from the municipal health institutions
are examining the extent of the damage in the area.


National Response

5.  The Government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia has not requested
international assistance.

6.  The amount of aid that has been distributed since the flood struck
includes: 200 mattresses, 500 blankets, 170 food parcels, fuel, and
drinking water. The Red Cross has provided some emergency aid, as has the
local municipality. The Yugoslav Army is rebuilding the dykes.

7.  OCHA is in close contact with the UN Resident Coordinator's Office, as
well as with the OCHA Office in Belgrade, and will revert with further
information, as it becomes available.

8.  This Situation Report and further information on ongoing emergencies
are also available on the OCHA 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. Anvar Munavvarov, Direct Tel. +41-22-917 1669

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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