Ecuador: Drought [DHA-01: 18-Feb-97]
Ecuador: Drought [DHA-01: 18-Feb-97]
United Nations
Department of Humanitarian Affairs
ECUADOR-DROUGHT EMERGENCY
DHA -GENEVA SITUATION REPORT NO.1
18 FEBRUARY 1997
34,000 PEOPLE AFFECTED BY DROUGHT IN THE PROVINCES OF LOJA AND
ORO, ECUADOR
General situation
1. As a consequence of a prolonged period of low
rainfall in the south-west of Ecuador, an acute drought has
developed in the Provinces of Loja and El Oro, bordering
with Peru. The situation has come to a point where local
and national resources are insufficient to cope with the
effects produced by this phenomenon.
2. The most affected areas in the Province of Loja are
the counties of Celica, Macara, Puyango, Pindal, Sozoranga
and Zapotillo. In the province of El Oro the situation is
critical in the counties of Arenillas, Las Lajas and
Huaquillas. Of a total of 130,000 people living in the
affected counties, 58% live in the rural area, depending on
small farming (corn, coffee, beans, sugar cane, vegetables,
banana.) and cattle raising.
3. According to Civil Defense, 34,000 persons have been
affected by the drought most of whom live in poor rural
communities. Chronic malnourishment and poverty levels in
the affected area are below national average. The affected
population has lost its source of income and approximately
8,000 persons have migrated to other areas during the last
semester.
4. Meteorological conditions remain critical. During
the last semester, accumulated rainfall was barely 7% of
normal average. Migration is expected to continue at a
faster pace, and malnourishment, specially in the case of
women and children, will be probably accentuated.
Priority needs
5. According to the United Nations Disaster Management
Team (UN-DMT), and NGO's involved in this emergency, the
priority needs are as follows:
Food rations for "Food-for-Work" programme;
Funds for improvement of water conservation and storage
capacity in 80 communities. This would include provision of
water containers (large 5 to 10 cubic meters for community
use, and small 3 to 10 gallons for family use),repair work
of water harnessing systems and manual pumps, and provision
of watering hoses;
Acquisition of 10 higher capacity water pumps to increase
the supply of water out of existing wells;
Drilling of deeper wells (funds for renting drilling
equipment);
Building materials for the construction of 80 water
reservoirs at community level;
Medicines: antibiotics and oral re-hydration solutions;
Seeds: corn, peanuts, beans;
Funds for rehabilitation and cleanup of irrigation
channels and ditches.
National response
6. Following the Presidential Declaration of State of
Emergency for the Province of Loja, the Government as
issued an appeal for international assistance to meet the
most immediate needs.
7. The Catholic Church made a collection for the
affected population which amounted to seventy million sucre
(approximately U.S.$18,900). This is being used to provide
health services and medicines in Zapotillo and Cariamanaga
counties. In addition to this, small projects to pipe water
from springs to the communities are being supported.
United Nations response
8. UNDP: An integrated rural development project
directed to the poorest three thousand people- out of 30,
000 which suffer from severe malnutrition was initiated in
February 1996 in collaboration with CONADE (National
Development Council). The project focuses on food
production, irrigation schemes, reforestation, environment
preservation, water and sanitation, education, basic
health, and productive activities. Out of 50 projects
elaborated, 10 are under execution.The project is
implemented under the modality of full community
participation and self help.
9. PAHO/WHO: A four-year health project for the
province of Loja is presently being negotiated with the
Ministry of Health. One component of this project refers to
drought vulnerability reduction. PAHO's Representative and
three professionals have provided technical assistance
needed in the affected area.
10. UNDP/WFP: A joint school feeding programme with the
Ministry of Education is presently being executed in the
province of Loja. More than seven thousand children and 370
teachers are the beneficiaries of this program.
11. WFP/UNESCO/UNICEF/UNIFEM: The Program for the
Improvement of Economic Conditions for Rural Women
(PROCALMUC) is also being executed in the province of Loja.
12. DHA is prepared to serve as a channel for cash
contributions, to be used during the immediate relief
phase, in coordination with relevant organizations of the
UN system. DHA provides donor Governments with written
confirmation on utilization of the funds contributed.
Contributions may also be made directly to individual UN
agencies.
13. Donors wishing to channel contributions through DHA
may transfer funds to DHA account no. CO.590.160.1 at Swiss
Bank Corporation, Case Postale 2770, CH-1211 Geneva 2, with
reference: Ecuador- Drought.
14. For coordination purposes, donors are requested to
inform DHA Geneva of bilateral relief missions/ pledges/
contributions and their corresponding values by item.
Telephone number: +41-22-917-1234
In case of emergency only: +41-22-917-2010
Desk Officer: Mr. Erik Haegglund/ Carlos Pereira, direct
tel: +41-22-917-32.99/ +41-22-917-13.83
Press to contact: Ms. M. Moulin-Acevedo
direct tel: +41-22-917-2856
Telex: 41 42 42 dha ch
Fax: +41-22-917-0023
E-Mail: dhagva@dha.unicc.org
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