OCHA Situation Report No. 6
Colombia: Rainfall/Winter Season
2 June 2006


This situation report is based on information provided to OCHA by the 
United Nations Resident Coordinator's Office in Colombia and the 
Colombian Red Cross.

Situation

1.  The Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies 
(IDEAM) has reported an overall improvement of weather conditions in 
many areas of the country. IDEAM foresees that two weeks remain until 
the end of the first rainfall/winter season. The second rainy season 
should start in late October. IDEAM also reports that the period from 
June to August is usually characterized by heavy rainfall on the 
oriental plains (Meta, Arauca, Casanare and Guainia) and in the northern 
areas of the Amazonian region.

2.  Water levels are lowering between Barrancabermeja, Santander 
department, and Puerto Salgar, Cundinamarca department due to 
diminishing rainfall in the higher basin of the Magdalena River. 
However, high water levels persist in the lower basins of the Magdalena 
and Cauca rivers. Consequently a Red alert has been issued along the 
Magdalena River's downstream area between Puerto Wilches, Santander 
department, and Calamar, Bolivar department. A Red alert has been 
maintained along the Cauca River from Caucasia, Antioquia department, to 
the junction with the Magdalena River in Bolivar department.


Impact

3.  According to the Colombian Red Cross (CRC), this first winter season 
of 2006 is the worst of the past 7 years in terms of casualties. The CRC 
reports that so far 127 people have lost their lives and 196,895 people 
(a total of 41,302 families) have been affected, out of whom 222 have 
been wounded and 21 have gone missing since the beginning of January. 
Approximately 1,337 houses have been destroyed and 14,183 severely 
damaged in 286 municipalities spread out over 26 departments.

National Response

4.  On 25 May, the National Disaster Prevention and Attention System 
(SNPAD)  commenced the delivery of 150 MT of food and non-food items to 
40,000 people in the departments of Sucre, Bolivar and Cordoba.

5.  On 23 May, the CRC launched an official appeal for USD 1.7 million 
to provide food and non-food items to 10,000 affected families in 12 
departments.

International response

6.  OCHA is in close contact with the Office of the United Nations 
Resident Coordinator in Colombia and will revert with further 
information as it becomes available.

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

Telephone: +41-22-917 12 34
Fax: +41-22-917 00 23
E-mail: ochagva@un.org

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

Desk Officer:
  Ms. Marie Spaak
    E-mail: spaak@un.org
    Direct Tel. +41-22-917 21 63

Press contact:
  GVA - Ms. Elizabeth Byrs, Direct Tel. + 41-22-917 2653
  NYC - Ms. Stephanie Bunker, Direct Tel. +1-917-367 51 26
  NYC - Mr. Brian Grogan, Direct Tel. +1-212-963 11 43

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