1. Although rains still on-going in Guyana, waters are slowly receding in the areas affected by floods. Government of Guyana reports that an estimated 35,000 persons have been affected by the floods, out of whom a smaller number of persons is estimated to be still in need of help. Exact updated figures are being prepared.
2. Residents in the flooded areas should be supplied with food for another month. Food shortages in affected areas are also expected in August and September of this year as a consequence of damage suffered by the agriculture sector.
3. The Ministry of Health and PAHO/WHO have prepared and are implementing a Medical Emergency Plan. Situation is being closely watched as waters start receding and new health risks may arise.
4. National Disaster Relief Unit (NDRU) has been supported by the United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) Team and by disaster management experts from Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency (CDERA) and Govt of USA. Together with PAHO/WHO and "Doctors without borders" the UNDAC Team carried out an evaluation in the southern region of Rupununi on Sunday, 21 July. Situation was found not to be as serious as feared, two communities reported to be isolated by flood waters. UNDAC Team will depart Guyana on 24 July, 1996.
5. UNDP is planning to recruit two national experts to continue supporting the work of NDRU, which is forwarding requests through the UNDP office in Georgetown for the utilization of the emergency international aid already pledged.
6. The contribution of the European Union is being utilized for the procurement of medical supplies, mostly on the local market.
7. International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies will continue to work in the rehabilitation of the Linden area and have made available CHF 300,000 (USD 238,000) to relief/rehabilitation activities.
CONTRIBUTIONS (Reported to DHA since Situation Report No.4 of 20 July
1996):
| USD | ||
| IFRC | Cash (CHF300,000) | 238,000 |
| NGOs | ||
| Nippon Foundation | Cash contribution through DHA | 20,000 |
8. DHA is prepared to serve as a channel for cash contributions to be used during the immediate relief phase. Funds are spent in coordination with relevant organizations of the UN System, and DHA provides donor Governments with written confirmation on utilization of funds contributed.
9. Funds should be transferred to DHA account no. Co.590.160.1. at Swiss Bank Corporation, Case Postale 2770, CH-1211 Geneva 2, with reference: Guyana - Floods, DHA Geneva.
10. For coordination purposes, donors are requested to inform
DHA-Geneva, as indicated below, of bilateral relief
missions/pledges/contributions and their corresponding value by item.
Telephone no: +41-22-917.12.34
In case of emergency only: +41-22-917.20.10
Desk Officer: Mr. E. Haegglund tel +41 22 917 32.99/Mr. C. 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
Email: dhagva @ dha.Unicc.Org