THE CHURCH WORLD SERVICE: EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROGRAM
SITUATION REPORT: RUSSIA FLOODING
June 27, 2002


SITUATION:  The death toll from flooding and mudslides in southern Russia
has now reached 77 and at least 100 persons are still missing.  The most
affected areas are the Dagestan and Stavropol Kray territories, located in
Russia's volatile North Caucasus region, sharing borders with Chechnya,
where Russian troops are engaged in a long-running military campaign
against Chechen rebels.  The ITAR-Tass news agency reported that about a
third of Dagestan's territory has been submerged in floodwaters.  Nearly
86,000 people were evacuated from their homes, many of them by helicopter,
since the rains began some 10 days ago.

Early estimates report more than 3,000 residential buildings have been
destroyed and nearly 4,000 damaged by the floodwaters.  Many roads,
bridges, rail lines and gas pipelines have sustained damage, and some 110
towns and villages are without electricity.  Government estimates damage
total to be in excess of $300 million and Russian health officials are
concerned about the spread of diseases such as intestinal infections and
Hepatitis A according to an Associated Press report.  One U.N. camp for
Chechen refugees in Ingushetia had been completely flooded.


RESPONSE:  The Russian Orthodox Church and Norwegian Church Aid who are
Church World Service and Action by Churches Together (ACT) partners are
assessing the needs of the affected population.  CWS is prepared to
support requests made by these partners for material goods and/or
financial support.

Call the CWS HOTLINE for updates: (800) 297-1516.

For further information about disasters to which Church World Service
is responding, contact CWS Emergency Response.

Telephone: (212) 870-3151
E-mail: donnajderr@aol.com
After-hours emergency pager: (800) 780-0853
Web site: www.cwserp.org


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