OCHA Situation Report
Togo: Special Update on Humanitarian Situation
13 August 2008


Source:
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

The following update provides additional information on the humanitarian
situation in Togo as it has developed since the report submitted on the
31st of July.

As of today, 6 camps for populations displaced by flooding have been
established in different locations around Lomee, 2 of these camps are
currently being managed by the Togolese military. There are approximately
4000 individuals being accommodated at these camps, including
approximately 1200 children. In addition, recent heavy rains in the
Central region (Sokode) have affected over 1500 people, 200 of whom are
under the age of 5.

At this time, the total number of people affected in the Lomee area,
including those now living with family or friends, is unclear and remains
impossible to determine.

The major humanitarian impact of recent flooding has been due to
infrastructural damage. Floods have caused the destruction of nine bridges
along the main road that links the north and south of the country, and
this has meant that transportation costs have risen considerably. As a
result, the price of basic food staples has also increased dramatically in
several locations across the country, including the capital. The price of
Corn, which is the most important food source in three regions, has risen
as per the following chart:

                  July 2007       Jan 2008     August 2008

  Lome               100             130            330
  Kara (Central)     100             195            340
  Dapaong (North)    100             150            305

                                          (Source WFP)


Togo is not the only country being affected by damage to its
infrastructure. Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger all rely on Lome port and
the roads and bridges in Togo for the transportation of goods. While
ports and roads in bordering countries, such Ghana or Benin, can be used
as alternative routes; for the moment, hundreds of over-loaded trucks
are on standby in Lome and have not been redirected to other ports.
Their customs and entrance fees to Togo have already been paid, and to
go via Ghana or Benin would mean that they would incur additional fees
and transportation costs.

The following response efforts are under way:

- UNDP has planned to provide two temporary bridges to allow for access
between the north and south of the country along the main road (Expected
cost: $400 000 US)

  - The UN system is preparing capacity building activities, and intends to
provide water tanks, medicine, and other critical items

- The response provided to date by the Red Cross includes the provision of
first aid, support to rescue operations as well as registration of IDPs at
camps and in affected villages

- The WFP, UNICEF and the FAO have prepared a joint effort to secure
funding to address the deteriorating food security situation in the
country, focusing particularly on the needs of populations affected by
flooding in both 2007 and 2008

The humanitarian situation in Lomee appears to be stable, but
infrastructural damage and rising food prices around the country present
considerable challenges to local populations. Funding provided to the
government of Togo to date will not be used to relieve the pressure of the
increasing cost of living; rather it will be allocated towards
infrastructural repairs and improvements.

It is important to note that outside of the UN, there are few other
organisations with a strong enough presence in Togo to contribute a
meaningful response to the challenges currently facing the Togolese
population.

Urgent Needs and Recommendations:

- Address urgent need to repair bridges connecting north and south of Togo
? UNDP allocated 400 000 US$ for the provision of bridge

- Keep track of all funds that have been allocated to the country since
the beginning of the crisis (UNRC begun tracking spending and has put in
place an information sharing mechanism)

- Assess the management of camps being run by Togolese military and the
long-tern impact this may have on civilians if rains continue and people
cannot return to their homes (OCHA)

- Ensure security/protection of civilians in camps - Visits to camps are
being conducted regularly by OCHA and if necessary, mechanisms will be
proposed to UN operational agencies for implementation

- Provide non-food items. There is an urgent need for tents and boats to
be delivered to the Sapeurs Pompiers / fire department so that they can
conduct critical rescue operations ? A request for these resources will be
made to the Emergency Services Branch

- Provide food. The WFP has identified and aims to respond to the need to
provide 400 metric tonnes of food aid to affected populations in the south
of Togo (where flooding has recently caused the displacement of
approximately 4000 individuals) and in the central and northern regions
(where flooding in 2007 created needs which remain unmet, and which have
now actually increased due to the recent extensive damage to Togo's
infrastructure)

- Continue to assess needs of women and children affected by flooding
(UNICEF)

- Continue to assess nutritional requirements of affected populations
(UNICEF)

- Request that the EPS assist with capacity building to improve the
implementation of Togo's ORSEC (Organization of Emergency Response) plan
(UNRC system)

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