OCHA Situation Report No. 4
Serbia & Montenegro
30 May 2005


Floods

This situation report is based on information received from the UN 
agencies, funds and programmes resident in Serbia & Montenegro and the 
Information Centre of the northern Serbian Province of Vojvodina.

Situation

1. The levels of water in rivers, canals and floods lakes in the 
affected region are receding. Gravitation force (i.e. cuts in the 
levees) and water pumps are used for getting the water back into 
rivers/the canal and channels are being cleaned. There are sufficient 
human resources, tools and materials for these interventions. There is, 
however, a shortage of cisterns for emptying of septic pits.

2. No outbreaks of communicable diseases have been detected since the 
flood began but a high number of ticks is expected once the water 
recedes, which poses a risk of spreading of Lyme disease.

3. The area is under epidemiological risk for communicable diseases 
outbreaks (Hepatitis A, Q fever, leptospirosis, brucellosis, tularaemia, 
typhoid, dysentery) due to flooding of septic tanks and dead animals in 
the water. There is increased risk of vector-borne diseases due to 
migration and concentration of rodents; increased breeding of insects 
and possible contamination of water piping systems. Food donations, 
which are bypassing the Red Cross, pose a risk, as food is not always 
transported hygienically.

4. Donations in food and shoes are still necessary and will remain so 
even when the time comes to sanitize the terrain.

National Response

5. Apart from the Crisis HQ at the Republic level, municipal level 
crisis teams have also been established.

6. Humanitarian relief is provided to the affected population (hygienic 
kits, cooked food and dry food, school items for children). The main 
network for relief provision is the National Red Cross in connection 
with the IFRC (appeal for international assistance launched on 26 
April).

7. The Government of Serbia has produced an Action Plan for the 
renovation of residential premises, outlining four different modes: 1) 
the Government may buy unused facilities within the affected 
municipalities and use these to house the affected population; 2) the 
Government may build new houses in the same locations as the old ones 
(this mode is not the best one, since sanitization - a prerequisite for 
building, will last long); 3) new multi-storey buildings, two locations 
already under consideration; and 4) to build new houses in neighbouring 
safer areas (option recommended by the Government - this would ensure 
security in the near future).

8. The Institute for Public Health in Novi Sad is coordinating 
activities of the epidemiological service of IPHs in Pancevo and 
Zrenjanin. On 15 May, disinfection, disinsectisation and rat poisoning 
began in parts of Jasa Tomic village, monitored by IPH in Zrenjanin. 
Other public health measures include:

a) assessment of the situation,
b) surveillance of communicable diseases,
c) food safety,
d) water safety and
e) advice to Crisis HQ (all levels) and participation in the
    Coordination body for response and mitigation

9. Drinking water is still provided from cisterns and bottled water. 
Adequate chlorination of water will continue after water withdraws.

10. Cooked food is prepared for the affected population by the army, and 
is under full epidemiological and hygienic control.

11. All persons engaged in the sanitation of the terrain and evacuation 
of dead animals have been vaccinated against tetanus, and vaccination of 
approximately 1,000 persons who have returned to Jasa Tomic in order to 
try and rescue some of their property is being considered. Vaccination 
will be maintained in accordance with needs and vaccines supply is 
sufficient. Cases of scabies and enterocolitis have been registered and 
have been treated. Anti-rabies protection has been provided for all 
affected.

12. As of 18 May, 106.5 tons of animal cadavers have been transported to 
abattoirs. There are no reported cases or signs of epidemics among 
domestic animals.  All animals in the affected area have been vaccinated 
against pig plague, rabies, anthrax and enteroxemy.

13. Public health authorities are planning to place water-resistant 
bates in the areas around dry islands and surrounding the villages, in 
order to stop the spread of rodents.

14. The Provincial Secretariat for Health and Social Policy has 
published brochures and posters in Serbian, Romanian and Hungarian on 
prevention of spread of contagious diseases and has distributed them in 
the affected areas

15. The Provincial Secretariats for Economy and Industry are aiming at 
reviving the "Kovacnica" firm and "Tamis" textile factory in Jasa Tomic 
village, which would provide for over 100 new job positions and the same 
number of local affected families.

16. The Government's future flood control strategy for Serbia envisages: 
1) existing (reconstructed and well-maintained) flood protection system; 
2) gradual and broad implementation of non-structural flood protection 
measures; and 3) international cooperation in flood management.

UN Country Team (UNCT) and International Response

19. FAO, UNHCR, UNDP and UNICEF have thus far sent missions to the 
affected area, and have answered the immediate humanitarian needs of the 
population within their respective mandates. FAO has already an 
envisaged 6-month (initially) project worth around 100,000 USD, aimed at 
revitalisation of the agricultural sector.

20. WHO has been in daily contact with the public health authorities at 
all levels and initiated activation of the ALERT (communicable diseases 
syndromic reporting for early detection of outbreaks) and provided 
technical advice to public health institutions. WHO will continue to 
provide technical assistance regarding surveillance for communicable 
diseases and control measures.

21. The UN Country Team Task Force received an emergency 30,000 USD cash 
grant from OCHA, and will soon be procuring humanitarian aid. Also, 
individual assessments of UN agencies' missions will be compiled into a 
UNCT Assessment Report, which will include recommendations and 
suggestions for interventions of various stakeholders. UNCT members will 
aim at revisiting their emergency preparedness plans and disaster 
management joint structures.

22. 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
     Direct Tel. +41-22-917 1205
     E-mail: benedek@un.org

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
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -