OCHA Situation Report No. 1
The Russian Federation - Floods
24 June 2002


This report summarizes information received from the UN Deputy
Humanitarian Coordinator's office in the Russian Federation and the
Ministry of the Russian Federation for Civil Defense, Emergencies and
Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters (EMERCOM OF RUSSIA).

Situation

1.  Heavy rains in several regions of the Russian Federation, Stavropol,
Krasnodar, Karachaevo-Cherkesia, Ingushetia, Adygea, Chechenya,
Kabardono-Balkaria, North Osetia-Alania and Dagestan resulted in severe
floods in the last three days. At least 60,000 people have been affected,
24 persons have perished and more than 55,000 have been evacuated due to
the flooding.

2.  Damage to infrastructure, residences and other private property is
expected to necessitate a fairly considerable reconstruction effort
further down the line. In 188 populated areas, 44,793 building have been
flooded, out of which 1,217 have been destroyed. Infrastructure has been
considerably affected, with 180 kilometers of roads, 57 kilometers of
railroads and 90 bridges damaged. At least 80 districts have suffered from
electric power disruption.

3.  There is more information on impact and damage in the more accessible
parts of the North Caucasus such as Ingushetia, than Chechnya, from which
only a limited flood impact picture exists. There are reports, however,
that the army has also commenced a relief effort in this Republic.


National and International Response

4.  The Government of the Russian Federation has not requested
international assistance.

5.  The amount of aid that has been distributed by EMERCOM OF RUSSIA since
the flood struck includes: 2,056 pieces of equipment, 13 airplanes and
helicopters, 79 boats, 50 tents, 1,000 blankets, 2,000 plastic sheets,
1,000 pillowcases, canned meat, canned milk and sugar.

6.  OCHA and other humanitarian organizations are particularly concerned
about the conditions among already vulnerable groups such as the IDPs in
camps and other (informal) settlements. UNHCR provides support through the
distribution of tents and blankets and has started a round of rapid
assessments of all IDP locations in Ingushetia to verify flood damage and
impact.

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

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. Dusan Zupka, Direct Tel. +41-22-917 1645

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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