OCHA Situation Report
Colombia: Floods
6 December 2007


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

I. Situation Review

On December 3 IDEAM reported a decrease in water levels, especially in
the Caribbean region. However, alerts remain in some flooded points of
the Magdalena River and in consequence, the Institute recommends to
maintain the alerts and keep the emergency plans activated.

Due to the influence of "La Nina" phenomenon, since mid September 220
municipalities in 27 departments resulted affected by heavy rains and
floods leaving 35 deaths and nearly 2 million people affected. Through
December 5, DPAD registered 1,162,083 people affected, 38% more than the
registered in 2006. According to DPAD the departments of Bolivar,
Magdalena, Sucre, Cesar and Atl=E1ntico in the Caribbean Coast and Choco
in the Pacific Coast, remain as the most affected.

II. Impact

CORDOBA DEPARTMENT

87,000 people have been affected so far in the lower reaches of Sinu
River. The municipalities of Lorica, San Bernardo del Viento, Momil,
Purisima and Chim=E1, flooded since June, were also affected. The
municipalities of Monteria, Montelibano and Ayapel were also affected in
this period but, due to the geographical conditions, water levels
decreased rapidly.

Between November 12 and 18, WFP, IOM, UNICEF, UNDP, WHO/PAHO, OCHA, CRC
and DPAD undertook a needs assessment in Momil and San Bernardo del
Viento, whereby the following gaps were identified:

- The population has a reduced access to potable water sources and
sanitation conditions are very poor. Respiratory diseases, diarrhoea and
epidemics have increased among the population, as well as skin diseases,
snake bites and malaria cases.

- Food shortages caused by the destruction of crops have caused and
increased malnutrition.

- An estimate of 17,000 crops of corn, rice, manioc, banana and
vegetables were destroyed by floods and nearly 19.000 cattle had to be
moved to nearby areas.

- 544 families remain in temporary shelters within the urban and rural
areas (mainly school facilities) where living and WatSan conditions are
poor.

Attachments:
http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/retrieveattachments?openagent&docid=47482A887D24A0DA852573A9006B99BF&file=Full_Report.pdf

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