OCHA Situation Report No. 7
Colombia: Rainfall/Winter Season
15 June 2006


This situation report is based on information provided to OCHA by the
United Nations Resident Coordinator's Office in Colombia and on reports
of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
(IFRC) as well as the Colombian Red Cross (CRC).

Situation

1. Although the first rainfall season officially ended on 1 June, the
Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies (IDEAM)
has reported intense rain showers in 12 departments of the country.
Consequently, red alerts are maintained along the mid and lower basins
of the Magdalena and Cauca rivers. A flood warning has also been issued
for Puerto Lopez and Puerto Lleras, two municipalities along the Meta
River, in the eastern lowlands region of Meta.

2. IDEAM also encourages preparedness to face the coming hurricane
season, which has started on 1 June and will last until late November.
This season could possibly affect the Atlantic coast of Colombia, in
particular the islands of San Andres and Providencia. Providencia was
directly affected by hurricane Beta in 2005.


Impact

3. According the last CRC report, on 6 June, the rainy season has
affected some 290 municipalities in 27 departments, with a total of 129
dead, 227 injured, 21 missing and 46,765 affected families (approx.
221,238 people). In addition, 1,361 houses have been destroyed and
19,870 were damaged.

4. The situation of La Mojana and San Jorge municipalities, in the Sucre
department (Caribbean region), remains of great concern. Heavy rains
that occurred during the last days caused a new flood situation,
affecting 1,250 families and submerging 2,500 hectares of crops. In
Marmato, located in the Caldas department, 45 families had to be
evacuated from their homes due to a landslide.

National Response

5. On 25 May, the National Disaster Prevention and Attention System
(SNPAD) Sistema Nacional de Prevencion y Atencion de Desastres (SNPAD)
distributed food and non-food items, in the Bolivar department, to
10,000 families affected by the rainy season.

6. On 27 July, the SNPAD with the support of the CRC and the Civil
defense will organize an evacuation exercise on the islands of San
Andres and Providencia, in order to evaluate the response capacity as
well as the validity of the contingency plan.

International response

7. On 6 June, SNPAD officially invited the United Nations Emergency
Technical Team (UNETE) to participate in the evacuation exercise planned
for San Andres and Providencia.

8. A technical working group consisting of three members of UNETE and
three officials of the SNPAD management will draft a memorandum of
understanding to enhance coordination mechanisms on natural disasters
between the UN system and the Government of Colombia.

9. OCHA is approaching the donor community in order to provide
assistance through the CRC to the families affected by the floods in the
municipalities of La Mojana and San Jorge.  On 8 June, OCHA also held a
meeting with 7 main donors, including ECHO and USAID, to discuss how to
mobilize resources for the damages caused by the rainy season.

10. 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.

11. 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. Isabel Garcia-Gill
    E-mail: garcia-gill@un.org
    Direct Tel. +41-22-917 15 49

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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