OCHA Situation Report No. 1
Morocco  - Floods
28 November 2002


Situation

1.  Unusual heavy rainfalls on Sunday and Monday 25 November 2002 caused
floods in western and central Morocco that left at least 37 deaths. 10
people are still reported missing.

    |-----------------+------------|
    | Areas affected  | Casualties |
    |-----------------+------------|
    | Mohammedia      |          2 |
    |-----------------+------------|
    | Begueribi       |         30 |
    | (near Settat)   |            |
    |-----------------+------------|
    | Moulay Yacoub   |          5 |
    | (near Fez)      |            |
    |-----------------+------------|
    | Kenitra         |          0 |
    |-----------------+------------|


2.  Most adversely affected regions are Settat and Mohammedia, close to
the economic capital Casablanca, and Moulay Yacoub, near Fez.

3.  The rains come amid a four-year drought in Morocco, particularly
affecting rural areas. It is estimated that these torrential downpours
exceeded 100 millimeters of rain fell over a 24-hour period, which is
higher than the monthly average for the capital city at his time of the
year Rainfalls are irregular and diminish progressively from the north to
the south and from the west to the east. Tangier: 833 mm - Rabat: 445 mm
and Agadir: 225 mm per year (1).


Damages reported

4.  Heaviest casualties are reported in the Settat region when the river
Bengueribi burst out of its banks flooding cities of Bengueribi and
El-Ghara near Settat and sweeping away at least 37 people. In Mohammedia,
the rising water of El Maleh river flooded lands in the provinces of
Benslimane and Khouribga. In Moulay Yacoub, near Fez, five people died
when their house collapsed from the heavy rains.

5.  Important damages are reported. Areas of Mohammedia, Settat and
Berrechid are still under floodwater. The industrial zone of Berrechid and
the university campus of Settat have been affected. The road between
Berrechid and Settat as well as the railway link between Mohammedia and
Marrakech are closed. Many landing strips of the international Airport
Mohammed V in Casablanca are flooded.

6.  After 24 hours of respite, the rain began to fall yesterday in the
North and regions (Sidi Slimane) of the Atlantic coast. Also, following
the breach of pipeline due to floods, a fire was reported in the city of
Skhirat yesterday.


Mohammedia's refinery fire

7.  On Monday 25, a fire broke out at Morocco's largest oil refinery in
Mohammedia. According to the media and the official news agency, MAP,
flood damage sparked a fire in the refinery after floodwater had lifted
waste oil and brought it into contact with hot parts of the refinery
causing explosions and several fires. As a result, two people died. More
than 70% of the thermo-electric power plant, which is a part of the
refinery complex, has been destroyed.

8.  The refinery was immediately shut down. Consequently, the 8 million
tons of crude annual production has stopped, which represent 80 to 90
percent of Morocco's annual crude oil imports, spurring a rush for fuel at
gas stations in many cities of the country. No risk of gas emission or
other hazards to the population have been reported.


National response

9.  So far, Morocco has not requested international assistance.

10.  On 26 November, King Mohammed VI called a meeting with Ministries of
Health, Interior, Equipment, Energy and Mines as well as the Commander of
the Royal Gendarmerie to review the situation and to decide on measures to
be taken for the reopening of the highway to Berrechid, the petrol and oil
supply, the intensification of the assistance to those stricken by floods
as well as the restoration of Mohammedia's refinery capacities. The
Government has set up a crisis management cell to coordinate relief
efforts under the Interior Minister, Mr. Mostafa Sahel.

11.  The Mohammed V Solidarity Fund has made available 2 million dirhams
(approx. USD 187,265) upon request of King Mohammed VI' for homeless
families(2).  A further 500,000 dirhams (USD 46,816) will be disbursed to
families who suffered human (relatives) and material losses in the
disaster. Food and clothing distribution has already started.

12.  An advanced surgical unit of the Army has been established in the
city of Mohammedia to assist victims of the refinery's fire and current
floods.


International response

13.  On Wednesday 27 November, Belgium has sent assistance in kind to
Morocco (medical material, sheeting, sleeping bags, school stationeries).

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

15.  This situation report, together with further information on ongoing
emergencies, is also available on the OCHA Internet Website at
http://www.reliefweb.int

(1)  Rainfalls are irregular and diminish progressively from the north to
the south and from the west to the east. Tangier: 833 mm - Rabat: 445 mm
and Agadir: 225 mm per year.
(2)  So far, no figures were provided by authorities.



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E-mail: ochagva@un.org

In case of emergency only: Tel. +41-22-917 20 10

Desk Officer:
  Mr. Max Bonnel, Direct Tel. +41 22 917 1457

Press contact:
  (GVA)  Ms. Elizabeth Byrs, direct Tel. +41-22-917 2653
  (NYC)  Ms. Phyllis Lee, Direct Tel. +1-212-963-4832


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