OCHA Situation Report No. 4
Georgia - Floods
12 May 2005


This situation report is based on information received from the UN 
Resident Coordinators Office in Georgia under the framework of the DMT.

Situation

1. As has been reported in previous Situation Reports over the past two 
weeks, heavy rainfall, warm temperatures and a sudden onset of the 
seasonal snow melt resulted in floods across the country, particularly 
in Racha-Lechkhumi ? Lower (Kvemo) Svaneti, Imereti and Samegrelo-Upper 
(Zemo) Svaneti on 25-26 April. On 27-30 April the eastern regions of 
Inner (Shida) Kartli, Lower (Kvemo) Kartli, Mtskheta-Mtianeti, Adjara 
and part of Samtskhe-Javakheti were also affected.  Landslides and 
mudflows have occurred in many mountainous areas.

2. While fortunately there has been no loss of human life, the damage to 
already poor infrastructure, residential buildings and agriculture has 
been extensive. Populations from a number of villages have been 
relocated due to fears for their safety. Families from damaged or 
destroyed houses have mostly found temporary shelter with relatives, 
friends, or neighbors. Regional authorities have, with the assistance of 
the central Government, mobilized a variety of resources to address 
immediate needs, though still limited to address immediate food and 
non-food emergency needs.

3. In this context, the DMT agencies have been undertaking needs 
assessment and assistance efforts, and information sharing actions. 
The DMT is led by the UN Resident Coordinator, supported by staff of his 
office, and various sectoral and operational working groups.  It 
consists of all UN relief agencies present in Georgia, several 
interested donors, ICRC, IFRC, and international NGOs.  Its main 
function is to help ensure adequate and effective international 
assistance to complement the actions of the Government.

4. The Disaster Management Team has prepared a document on "Flooding in 
Georgia: An Overview of Needs and Assistance Actions" summarizing the 
needs assessments that have been undertaken by various DMT members, 
i.e., CHF, the International Federation/Georgian Red Cross, UMCOR, 
UNICEF, World Vision, and WFP as well as sectoral needs and proposed 
assistance actions. The document can be accessed by clicking on the 
following link: 
http://www.reliefweb.int/library/documents/2005/ocha-geo-10may.pdf.

5. While the Government has responded with particular assistance 
actions, the document flags further assistance needs regarding health, 
water and sanitation, food aid, and agriculture.  The health needs 
involve actions to strengthen health systems in the most affected areas, 
which are being stressed by population displacement and problems 
regarding drinking water. Drinking water was highlighted across many 
areas as a major concern.  Food aid will be needed for at least an 
initial two months to the most affected persons. It is also foreseen 
subsequently in the form of food-for-work for the most affected areas 
(targeted at preventive actions such as creation of gabions).  A review 
of the agricultural situation is being undertaken, with a view to 
determining whether it is possible to implement a programme to provide 
seeds to the worst affected areas (mostly in the mountainous areas) in 
the few weeks remaining in the planting season.

6. The document provides a summary of international assistance as well 
as information provided to the DMT regarding contributions, both in-kind 
and cash. It also summarizes proposed relief and emergency 
rehabilitation actions by several DMT agencies, i.e., UNICEF, WFP, the 
Federation/Georgian Red Cross, and UMCOR, .  These are complementary to 
actions undertaken by the Government.  For donors who wish to use such 
international channels for providing funding or other resources, the 
contact information is noted with each summary.

7. The Government will be providing information during the next week 
about further rehabilitation needs, in particular concerning damage to 
physical infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and dams.

8. The UN currently has an initial two-person mission from UN-OCHA 
headquarters working with the various parts of the Government. This team 
has come in advance of a larger UN mission that, as agreed with the 
Prime Minister, will be in Georgia in June 2005 to take a more in-depth 
analysis, and present its findings and recommendations (to the Prime 
Minister and other senior Government officials, as well as to interested 
donors.

9. This Situation Report and information on ongoing emergencies is also 
available on the OCHA Internet Website at http://www.reliefweb.int.

Tel. +41-22-917 1234
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. Ricardo Mena
     Direct Tel. +41-22-917 1455
     E-mail: menar@un.org
   Ms. Charlotta Benedek
     E-mail: benedek@un.org
     Direct Tel. +41-22-917 1205

Press contact:
   GVA - Ms. Elizabeth Byrs direct Tel. +41-22-917 2653
   NYC - Ms. Stephanie Bunker direct Tel. +1-917-892 1669

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Appropriate Donations for International Disaster/Humanitarian Needs
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Center for International                  web: www.cidi.org
     Disaster Information             listserv: www.cidi.org/listsub.htm
                                    guidelines: www.cidi.org/donate.htm
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -