OCHA Situation Report No. 1
Maldives: Coastal Flooding
22 May 2007


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

This situation report is based on information received from the 
Maldives' National Disaster Management Center, the Office of the UN 
Resident Coordinator in the Maldives, as well as from the OCHA Regional 
Office for Asia and Pacific in Bangkok. SITUATION

1. A series of wave surges of varying magnitude hit about 35 islands in 
13 Atolls across the Maldives on 15-17 May 2007, causing inundation up 
to 600m from the coastline. Southern atolls of the Maldives, especially 
Seenu and Gaafu Dhaalu, were particularly affected due to their flatness 
as well as their location in the open sea. The wave that affected the 
southern atolls had wavelength of 350 ? 433 meters, which doubled in 
height as it approached the coastline.

2. The disaster resulted in no human casualties, although four persons 
were wounded and some 1649 people were evacuated.(1)  217 housing units 
were damaged and 258 more were otherwise affected by the flooding. Three 
days of wave swells caused extensive damage to the home gardens and 
other means of livelihood; 43 vegetation sites were destroyed, about 15 
sea vessels were damaged. The disaster caused partial damage to a number 
of harbour and jetties as eroded sections of beaches and coastline 
walls.

3. The seawater incursion contaminated the wells and the groundwater 
table, causing shortage of drinking water in some islands. Septic tanks 
were damaged or filled with seawater, causing sewage to flood some 
areas. The tide also flooded some landfills and scattered trash 
throughout the affected area, raising sanitation concerns. Cleaning-up 
operations are in progress.

4. The healthcare facilities were not damaged and have assisted the 
affected populations. No major outbreaks were reported. Nevertheless, 
cases of tsunami-related trauma among the population, including 
children, were reported. The schools were not affected and continue to 
function on schedule.

5. A Rapid Assessment Team, comprised of Government personnel and IFRC 
and UN counterparts, was deployed on 19 May 2007 to conduct a rapid 
assessment of five islands of Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll: Fares-Maathodaa, 
Fiyoare, Rathafandhoo, Nadellaa, and Madaveli. The assessment is to 
focus on infrastructure, health, water-sanitation, livelihood, 
environment and emergency relief needs. The final report is expected to 
be released by Government of Maldives in the next few days.

II. NATIONAL RESPONSE

6. The Government of Maldives provided emergency relief assistance 
(food, water supply, mattresses) to the affected communities. A mobile 
water desalination plant had been dispatched by the Government's 
National Disaster Management Center.

7. The Department of Meteorology has been monitoring the weather 
situation and issued warning information to communities.  The National 
Disaster Management Center provided updated situation reports of the 
island situation as well as coordinated Government's assessment and 
emergency relief assistance efforts.

8. The Government of Maldives issued an appeal for assistance to the 
international community. It also made a formal appeal for assistance to 
the UN Secretary General to assist in the immediate relief and early 
recovery efforts.

III. INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE

9. UNICEF provided ten water tanks and five rain-water harvesting kits 
to the most affected Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll. IFRC is preparing provision of 
drinking water in Gaafu Dhaalu atoll. American Red Cross is organizing a 
parents-teachers meeting to assess stress levels among children.

10. WHO is coordinating with the Ministry of Health on possible health 
assistance that may be required. UNDP is liaising with national 
authorities in order to provide support in the areas of livelihoods 
recovery and coordination. OCHA has offered the UN Resident Coordinator 
its assistance in coordinating international response, as well as 
technical assistance in environmental impact assessment and disaster 
prevention and risk reduction.

11. The UN System and IFRC are awaiting the report of the rapid 
assessment team to identify next steps and will accordingly update 
partners.

Note

(1) Population of the Maldives is estimated at 369,000.

For detailed information please contact:

OCHA Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (Bangkok)
Mr. Rajan Gengaje, Regional Disaster Response Adviser
Tel. + 66-2288-2572, Fax: +66-2288-1043, Mob. + 66-8-1916-1271
e-mail: gengaje@un.org

Desk Officers:
  NYC - Mr. Wojtek Wilk, Tel. +1-917 367 9748, e-mail: wilkw@un.org
  GVA - Mr. Guadelupe deSousa, Tel. +41-22-917 4339

Press contact:
  NYC - Ms. Stephanie Bunker, Tel. +1-917 367 5126
  GVA - Ms. Elizabeth Byrs, Tel.      +41-22-917 2653

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