OCHA Situation Report No. 4
Mexico: Tabasco Floods
8 November 2007


This situation report is based on information received from United
Nations Resident Coordinators in country and OCHA Regional Office in
Panama.

HIGHLIGHTS

- The request for international solidarity by President Calderon for
Tabasco received an immediate response from Germany (250,000 Euros), the
United States (USD 350,000) and France (20,000 water purification
tablets).

- A 5 person UNDAC team is being deployed to work with the UNCT in
coordinating the international aid in the country.

SITUATION

1. According to press communique No. 204-07 of the National Water
Commission (CONAGUA in Spanish), the water distribution system of the
capital of Tabasco State has expanded its capacity providing now
coverage for 80% of the city's needs.

2. For the second consecutive day, water levels in all Tabasco rivers
dropped from between 2 and 80 centimeters, while rainfall was under 10
mm.

3. The Carrizal river, which passes through the municipality, presented
the largest drop of 80cm; followed by Samaria with 43; Usumacinta, 30;
Grijalva, 26; Teapa, 20; Puxcat=E1n, 12; Oxolot=E1n, 10 ; and La Sierra, 02
centimetros.

4. Nonetheless, the Grijalva, La Sierra and Puxcat=E1n rivers remain above
critical levels, at 1,54 meters, 65cm and 44cm, respectively, and their
water continues to pour over the plains, affecting urban areas and
agricultural lands.

5. In reference to climate conditions over the upcoming 72 hours, the
National Meteorological Service (SMN in Spanish), a dependency of
Conagua, reported that it is expecting light to moderate rainfall, under
20mm.

6. The report indicates a Cold Front, focused on the central United
States, and moving southeast, will enter the Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday,
causing northern winds around 30km/h and periodic light to moderate
rainfall in Tabasco.

7. In Chiapas, the General Coordination of Civilian Protection of the
Secretary of Government (Bulletin No. 305-05/11/2007) today issued an
Emergency Declaration for 11 municipalities in Chiapas state (Catazaj=E1,
Chapultenango, Cintalapa, El Bosque, Francisco Leon, Ixtacomit=E1n,
Ju=E1rez, Ocotepec, Salto de Agua, San Fernando and Tumbal=E1), due to a
typical rainfall and flooding, which has forced the activation of the
Revolving Fund for Natural Disasters (FONDEN in Spanish) in order to
provide an immediate response for the affected population.

TABASCO

Humanitarian Situation:

8. Several sources in the press report that the President of Mexico,
Felipe Calderon, indicated that "Mexico accepts solidarity and the help
of the world" for flood-affected populations, which has translated into
the first international aid packages from countries such as the United
States, Canada, Peru, Germany, Spain, Great Britain, Cuba and others.

9. According to the Mexican Press, there is ongoing desperation on the
part of thousands affected by a week of tragedy, many of whom remain
isolated in communities surrounded by water. In addition, it reports
that there is a lack of basic food such as beans, rice, eggs, oil,
sugar, lentils and vegetables.

10. AFP news agency reported that in Tabasco it has become common to see
people on top of their homes, who have refused to flee to shelters due
to the threat of having belongings robbed.

11. In Villahermosa, potable water service began to be re-established on
Sunday in some areas. The Secretary of Education authorized schools to
return to classes in the few areas that were not flooded.

Health Situation:

12. According to PRESS COMMUNIQU=C9 No. 376, the Secretary of Health
reported that up until now an outbreak of disease in Tabasco State has
been prevented. A special consultation office was opened at the Women's
Hospital of Villahermosa for HIV/AIDS patients and a specific shelter
for pregnant women in the last trimester was opened to provide
specialized attention. At least one doctor was placed in each shelter in
Villahermosa, while in communities there are brigades that visit
shelters once or twice daily.

13. The Secretary of Health followed up on the Federal Commission for
Protection against Sanitary Risks (COFEPRIS in Spanish) which verifies
water and food quality. For the past three days there been an intensive
vaccination campaign against hepatitis A, of which 15 thousand doses
have been applied, and 20 thousand additional dosages had been
purchased, while another 20 thousand dosages tetanus, diphtheria and
influenza vaccine as well rotavirus are being awaited.

14. The Secretary of Health stated that respiratory diseases and
dermatomicosis are the principal sanitary problems. It also recognized
that while the health situation is acceptable, risks are constant until
water levels drop.

Economic and Infrastructure Impact:

15. The Governor of Tabasco, Andres Granier Melo, reported that 5
billion pesos (USD 462 million) in damage has been calculated due to the
flooding, which affected some 70% of the state, or 7 times the budget of
the state in 2007. The amount does not include damage to schools, roads
and agriculture, its impact on industry.

16. According to press reports, the Secretary Agriculture (SAGARPA in
Spanish) calculates that 160 thousand hectares of cacao, plantains,
corn, coconut and papaya, among others, as well as 500 thousand acres of
grazing land for cattle, were lost during the flooding.

19. According to SAGARPA the flooding will impede the cultivation of 15
thousand hectares sugar cane. Saffron harvests in November have not been
assessed, but cane producers fear that contaminated waters have damaged
the land so that both crops will not be harvested during the upcoming
season.

20. According to Alberto C=E1rdenas, around 150 thousand ranchers and
farmers will receive insurance and national support funds for natural
disasters after water levels drop and an extensive evaluation conducted.

21. For the National Peasant Confederation, agriculture and livestock
losses are above 5 billion pesos (approximately USD 462 million), since
the waters destroyed corn, bean, rice, yucca, camote, plantain, cacao
and coconut crops, in addition to having seriously damaged the cattle
industry.

CHIAPAS

Humanitarian Situation:

22. Landslides in Chiapas (San Juan Grijalva) have reportedly covered at
least one hundred homes. There is no report yet on the number of dead
and wounded. Preliminary reports indicate that there are 16 missing, but
some unofficial accounts number more than 30 dead. Indications are that
the landslide over the Grijalva river also led to flooding in the
bordering town.

Health Situation:

23. According to Citizens Attention Coordination of Chiapas, the
response of citizen's in collection centers in the north region has been
good but slow. Most been received in support is clothing, but needs are
greatest in the area of bottled water and medicine. The centers were
installed to aid affected populations in the northern region, although
some items have also been delivered to Tabasco State. The centers are
working 24 hours a day in Tuxtla Gutierrez and are located in the
Governor's office, the Red Cross delegation, Marimba Park, Youth Park
and the Institute for Human Development (IDH).

NATIONAL RESPONSE

24. President Calderon announced an aid package for small and
medium-size business affected by flooding in Chiapas.

25. The Political Coordination Committee of the Chamber of Deputies
agreed to request the Federal Government to provide extraordinary
funding for the economies and operations in 2007 of both states.

26. The General Coordination for Ports and the Merchant Marine announced
that establishment of maritime ports between Veracruz and Tabasco states
for the rapid transfer of food and support for affected populations.
Operations are from the ports of Tuxpan and Coatzacoalcos.

INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE

27. The Resident Coordinator, a.i., met again with representatives of
the Secretary of Foreign Relations (SRE in Spanish) to inform them about
the mobilization of an UNDAC team and to agree upon the manner in which
SRE and UNCT will work jointly on coordination and the mobilization of
international aid in the country.

28. The Resident Coordinator, a.i, accompanied by the Director of the
OCHA Regional Office, also held a meeting with representatives of Civil
Protection to provide technical assistance to the Federal Operations
Center, which is based in Tabasco.

29. The request for international solidarity by President Calderon for
Tabasco received an immediate response from Germany, which on Monday
announced it would send 250,000 Euros, while the United States announced
a donation of USD 350,000 and France will send 20,000 water purification
tablets to treat four million liters of water.

30. The UNETE team established a sub-group in charge of preparing
Situation Reports. At the same time, the Communications Group of UNCT
was activated to provide monitoring and communication support to the RC
and UNDMT.

31. The Designated Officer for Security has implemented Phase ONE for
security in Tabasco State and 22 municipalities in Chiapas State which
have been declared in a state of emergency by the Secretary of
Government.

For detailed information please contact:

Desk Officer (New York)
Mr. Ignacio Leon
Office Tel: +1 917 367-9960
Office Fax: +1 212 963-36 30
E-mail: leoni@un.org

GCMS (Geneva)
Ms. Aoibheann O'Keeffe
Office Tel: +41 22 917 4329
E-mail: okeeffe@un.org

OCHA Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean
Mr. Douglas Reimer
Regional Disaster Response Adviser
Office Tel. +507 317-1748
Office Fax +507 317-1744
Mobile: +507 6676-1689
E-mail: reimer@un.org


Press Contact:

(NYC) Ms. Stephanie Bunker
Office Tel : + 1 917-367-5126
Office Fax: + 1 212-963-1312
Email: bunker@un.org

(GVA) Ms. Elizabeth Byrs
Office Tel + 41 22 917 26 53
Office Fax + 41 22 917 00 20
E-mail: byrs@un.org

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