Honduras: Floods [DHA-01: 21-Nov-96]

                              HONDURAS- FLOODS
                          DHA SITUATION REPORT NO.1
                              21 NOVEMBER 1996


       FLOODING  AFFECTS  APPROXIMATELY  30,000 PEOPLE IN THE ATLANTIC
     COAST OF HONDURAS
                                                                    
         1.   The UNDP/DHA Resident Representative in Tegucigalpa   
         reports that, according to the National Emergency          
         Committee (COPECO), heavy rainfall, since 10 November      
         1996, has caused flooding in the northern Atlantic coast   
         of Honduras seriously affecting four of the five           
         Departments in the region (Cortes, Atlantida, Yoro and     
         Colon).


         Effects on population                                      

         2.    Approximately 30,600 people have been affected. In   
         the Department of Cortes 4,500 families have been          
         evacuated from their homes. Five persons have been         
         reported dead.                                             


         Damage on Housing/infrastructure                           

         3.    Some 4,700 houses have been damaged or destroyed.    
         Primary and secondary roads have been completely or        
         partially closed due to landslides and broken bridges.     


         Health Emergency Appeal                                    

         4.    According to the Pan-American Health Organization    
         (PAHO/WHO) damage has been reported to health centres, as  
         well as to aqueducts and to sewage systems thereby         
         increasing the risk of waterborne diseases. An emergency   
         appeal has been launched by the Health Authorities to      
         PAHO/WHO, for the provision of, inter alia, basic medical  
         supplies, surgical equipment and water disinfectants,      
         amounting to approximately US $114,800.                    


         National Response                                          

         5.    The President of the Republic of Honduras is         
         expected to announce a Declaration of Regional Emergency.  


         UN-DMT                                                     

         6.   The United Nations- Disaster Management Team (UN-     
         DMT) has been placed on alert and is coordinating  with    
         the National Emergency Committee (COPECO), through the     
         UNDP Office in Tegucigalpa,  the assistance to national    
         and regional emergency committees.                         



       Telephone No: +41-22-917-12-34                               
       In case of emergency only: +41-22-917.20.10                  
       Desk Officers:  Mr. Erik Haegglund, direct tel: +41-22-917.  
       32.99 or Mr. Carlos Pereira, direct tel: +41-22-917.13.83    
       Press  to  contact: Ms. M. Moulin-Acevedo
       direct tel: +41-22-917.28.56
       Telex: 414242 dha ch                                         
       Fax: +41-22-917.00.23                                        
       E.Mail: dha gva at un.org                                    



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