OCHA Situation Report No. 1
Colombia: Rainfall/Winter season
5 April 2006


This situation report is based on information provided to OCHA by the UN
Resident Coordinator's Office in Colombia.

Situation

1. Cold winds coming from the Pacific Ocean have triggered the early
beginning of the first rainy season, causing floods, landslides, and
gales. This year, rains started on 2 January and may continue until May.
Consequently, the Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental
Studies (IDEAM) maintains its alerts in view of the high probability of
landslides in the Andean and Pacific regions and along the Andean
foothills, due to ground saturation.

2. According to the Colombian Red Cross (CRC), intensive rainfall has
affected the departments of Choco, Valle del Cauca, Cauca, Narino,
Antioquia, Caldas, Risaralda, Quindio, Tolima, Arauca, Santander, Norte
de Santander, Cundinamarca, Boyaca, Casanare y Meta, where the CRC
declared orange alerts for its disaster response units. Between January
and 31 March 2006, 63 landslides, 16 gales, 39 floods, and 4 avalanches
have affected 88 municipalities of 16 departments out of 32.

3. In 2005, the second rainy season from October to December affected
98,718 families (474,493 persons) in 244 municipalities, causing 94
deaths. Seven people went missing, 114 were injured, 2,232 houses were
destroyed and 21,173 houses damaged.

Impact

4. This year's rainy season has affected 8,014 families (43,225
persons). A total of 38 people have lost their lives and 47 were
injured. In addition, 232 houses were destroyed, and 3,737 houses and 6
educative centres damaged. In Manizales (Caldas), 11 children died while
on a school excursion, due to a landslide caused by the overflow of a
river.

5. An OCHA and OPS mission in the department of Valle del Cauca
ascertained that the location of Jarillon, in Aguablanca district, Cali,
was at risk because of the possibility of a dike breaking in the sector
of Villa Mosca (Cali Municipality District) as a consequence of the
continuing intensive rainfalls since 23 March. The mission reported the
destruction of 80 houses and damage to 1,100, the destruction of
latrines and water sewage systems, the loss of family belongings, the
appearance of pools of stagnant sewage water, and an increased presence
of vectors (rodents, mosquitoes, and other insects) in Brisas de Nuevo
Amanecer and Remolino sectors, Aguablanca district.

6. In Bolivar (Narino Department), according to information provided by
the National System of Disaster Awareness and Prevention, one person is
missing, 18 people had to be evacuated, and 24 houses, the church, and
the health centre were damaged.

7. According to information provided by the National System of Disaster
Awareness and Prevention, the situation in Trujillo municipality (Valle
del Cauca) deteriorated because of the overflow of the river Culebras on
27-28 March. Three people were reported missing, 25 had to be evacuated,
5 houses were destroyed and 150 damaged.


Needs

8. At this stage, there is not enough information to accurately
determine the needs of the affected population. The local offices of the
UN system are collecting detailed information that will be provided in
the next situation report.

National and Local Response

9. Until March 2006, the National System of Disaster Awareness and
Prevention sent 13 communiques in order to activate the regional and
departmental committees of the 16 departments mentioned in paragraph 2.

10. To face the emergency, the Cali municipality undertook the following
actions:

- Food rations were distributed to the 119 affected families living very
close to the dike in Villa Mosca.

- An area has been defined where a shelter with a capacity of 3,200
people could be established in case of evacuation.

- The national government and the municipality will provide 450,000
pesos per family for a 3 months rental subsidy.

11. In Trujillo municipality, the community is prepared to take in 70
children through collective community kitchens and a temporary shelter.

International response

12. OCHA field offices in Cali, Bucaramanga and Medellin have been
monitoring the situation through evaluation missions with local
authorities.

13. OPS-OMS is providing technical assistance to the health secretaries
of the departments were they have field offices, while UNDP has provided
resources to support the local and departmental committees.

14. 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.

15. OCHA is prepared to accept cash contributions to be used for
immediate relief assistance, in support of the UN Resident Coordinator
in Colombia.

16. 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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