OCHA Situation Report No. 2
Albania - Floods
1 October 2002


This report is based upon information from the Albanian Government and the
office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Albania.

1.  UPDATE ON EVENTS

After eight days (September 21 - September 29) of heavy rainfalls and
resulting floods, the overall situation is improving (even though weather
forecasts predict more rains in the North). The worst affected regions
remain Lezhe and Shkoder in the Northwest. In Lezhe, schools are still
closed. Some drainage systems were operating at a limited level even
before the floods, and damaged dikes and an increased number of buildings
in floodplains have contributed to the extent of damage. Currently central
Government teams are carrying out more damage assessments; results are
expected within this week.

There remains a concern about the safety of drinking water, especially in
Lezhe prefecture. Even though clean up and repair works are progressing
and main national roads have been cleared of debris and mud, several
villages can still not be accessed by road. Electricity supply remains
sporadic in rural areas.  Latest figures from prefectures speak of 16,721
flooded private houses.  Out of these 262 are heavily damaged, i.e., no
longer usable, and 3,429 have experienced medium-level damage, i.e., can
be put back to use.

9,700 people had to be at least temporarily evacuated from their homes and
45 people were rescued. 3,295 people remain in temporary shelter (mostly
with relatives)  at this point in time with 2,500 in Lezhe alone. Overall
the number of families affected and requiring assistance is estimated at
16,721, including those whose houses have been lightly damaged.  No
casualties or missing persons are reported.


2. NEEDS

The Albanian Government appeals for food items such as oil, rice, pasta,
sugar and flour;  and portable beds, mattresses, bed sheets, clothing,
blankets and detergents.  High-pressure cleaners, water and mud pumps,
portable dryers and electric generators are needed for clean up
operations. A detailed list is available upon request. Contact point is
the Director of Planning and Coordination in the Ministry of Local
Government:

   Mr. Bujar Kapllani
   Ministry of Local Government and Decentralization
   Tel/Fax: (355-4) 233 542
   E-Mail: Ercarmen@yahoo.com


3. NATIONAL RESPONSE

The State of Natural Disaster is still active in seven prefectures. The
Albanian RC has distributed 5,690 blankets, 54 tons of wheat flour, 15
tons of conserves, 5 tons of sugar, 4 tons of vegetable oil, 10,000 pieces
of soap, 3 tons of detergent victims. State Reserves have distributed
23,851 loaves of bread to affected cities and 316 tons of other food
supplies.


4. INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE

The Greek Government has delivered 350 tents, 2,750 blankets, and 54.5
tons of food supplies. German KFOR is supplying 30,000 military food
rations. The Italian Government has provided 5,000 blankets, 48 tents, 40
tons of food, and water tanks and jerrycans from the United Nations
Humanitarian Response Depot (UNHRD) in Brindisi. The Belgian Government
has flown in 4,150 blankets, 700 boxes of food supplies and 74,000 plastic
bags (for sand). OCHA will release a USD 25,000 Emergency Grant (from its
own resources and a Netherlands contribution)  to address the most urgent
needs of the affected population. UNICEF is supplying emergency health and
education kits, a generator to ensure power supply for vaccines, as well
as chlorine. UNHCR is supplying 20,000 pieces of soap. UNDP is making
available USD 50,000 for logistics/communication support to relief
operations. WFP contributed two truckloads of high-protein biscuits from
the UNHRD. WHO is currently assessing further needs in the health sector.

For coordination purposes, donors are requested to inform OCHA Geneva, as
indicated below, on relief missions/pledges/contributions and their
corresponding values by item.

OCHA is in close contact with the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in
Albania and will revert with further information, as it becomes available.

This  situation  report,  together  with  further  information  on  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. Stephen Tull, Mr. Dusan Zupka
  Direct Tel. +41-22-917-3168

Press contact:
  (GVA)  Ms. Elizabeth Byrs, direct Tel. +41-22-917 2653
  (NYC)  Brian Grogan direct Tel. +1-212-963-1143


distributed by
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Center for International Disaster Information
Volunteers in Technical Assistance
                                          web: www.cidi.org
                                     listserv: www.cidi.org/listsub.htm
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
comments/suggestions/requests to incident@cidi.org