OCHA Situation Report
Maldives: Coastal Flooding
30 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. On 15-17 May 2007, a series of swells, between 10 ? 15 feet, hit an 
estimated 68 islands in 16 Atolls across the Maldives, causing the 
inundation of up to 600 metres from the coastline. The most affected 
Maldive atolls were Gaafu Dhaalu, Dhaalu, Thaa and Laamu, which include 
over 24 islands. These high tides occur annually, but not to this 
magnitude. The situation has returned to normal for the majority of the 
high tide affected islands in the Maldives. Minor recovery work on the 
four most affected atolls is on-going.

2. There were no human fatalities from the coastal flooding. As a result 
of the flooding, 1649 people were evacuated from their homes.  The 
recent NDMC report indicates 886 people have returned to their 
respective homes, while the remaining 763 continue to live with host 
families awaiting the repair of their homes.

3. Housing: A total of 579 housing units were damaged by the high tide 
floods.

4. Livelihood: 33 islands were affected by salt water intrusions that 
caused significant damage to crops, agriculture farms, home gardens and 
vegetation, which most people depend upon for livelihood and food 
supplies. Immediate restoration of livelihood is necessary to enable 
affected families to recover.

5. Infrastructure: the wave surges also caused minor damage to harbours 
and jetties in 17 islands.

6. Environment: A total of 58 out of the 68 islands inundated have 
reported to have significant area of the coastlines eroded. The extent 
of erosion of coastlines and beaches is another area which needs focus. 
This poses further threat to the coastal environment in the long-term. 
A comprehensive assessment of the impact to the natural environment of 
these islands would be required to ascertain the extent of damage and 
design corresponding mitigation measures to avert future disasters.

II. NATIONAL RESPONSE

7. The National Government of the Maldives, Atoll Office and 
neighbouring island communities provided emergency relief assistance to 
five islands in Gaafu Dhaalu.  However, the people expressed both 
immediate and longer-term needs which when addressed would assist in the 
efficient recovery from the disaster.

Immediate needs identified include:

a. Additional water tanks to augment the jerry cans they currently used 
to fetch water from the mobile water desalination plant. Most people 
from the islands affected used well water for cooking and washing. Since 
the groundwater source is contaminated, water supply is insufficient and 
still remains a challenge;

b. Clean-up assistance;

c. Kitchen and other essential utensils;

d. Installation of mobile Reverse Osmosis (RO) units on seven islands, 
three atolls;

e. Restoration of basic livelihoods.

Other long term needs identified are:

f. Repair of harbour and jetties;

g. Re-build collapsed boundary walls;

h. Construction of sea walls to mitigate future occurrence of similar 
events;

i. A comprehensive assessment of the impact on the coastal environment.

III. INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE

8. The Government of the United States of America provided assistance of 
USD 100,000 channelled through UNICEF, in response to the international 
appeal made by the Government of Maldives to assist in the early 
recovery efforts.


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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