RISKS OF FLOODING CONTINUE IN GUYANA

RISKS OF FLOODING CONTINUE IN GUYANA

NEW YORK, 28 January (OCHA) -- Risks of further flooding continue in Guyana due to more rain over the past days, warned the United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team.  The team has been sent in response to a request of the Government of Guyana after flooding in that country.

Forty-three temporary shelters are currently meeting the needs of 3,772 persons.  Five boats are in operation between Sophia and Paradise, for evacuation and supply of food and drinking water to those stranded by floodwaters.  The Civil Defence Commission has been identified as the lead agency responsible for the reception, storage and distribution of relief supplies.

Assistance by United Nations agencies continues.  The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) is providing technical support to the Health Task Force.  Mobile emergency health teams have been set up to provide health, water and sanitation services and public education to affected communities.  Fifteen thousand oral rehydration salt (ORS) packages, 100 large water containers and 6,000 buckets and dry food rations have been provided.

The World Health Organization/Pan-American Health Organization (WHO/PAHO) is providing technical assistance and coordination, and participates in damage/needs assessment on health and environment.  The organization is focusing on strengthening epidemiological surveillance by the mobile teams of the Ministry of Health in affected communities and shelters.  It is also working on developing public-awareness and community-education campaigns on safe water, personal hygiene, hand washing, prevention of diarrhoea, preparation of home made ORS, food hygiene and disinfections of homes as part of post-flood cleaning

The World Food Programme (WFP) will provide emergency food assistance amounting to 110 metric tons for 30 days for 10,000 people, particularly for pregnant and lactating women and children under five.  The Government of Ecuador has made available one C130 to transport the food.

President Bharrat Jagdeo declared three of Guyana’s 10 administrative regions disaster areas as unprecedented rainfall caused flooding in parts of these coastal regions, with a record 30 inches during the first two weeks of January.  The inadequacy of the natural drainage systems resulted in the most severe flooding in the history of Guyana, affecting nearly half of the country’s 800,000 population.  The floods forced thousands of people from their homes in the capital, Georgetown, (population 750,000) and coastal villages.  Two thirds of Georgetown was flooded, affecting some 120,000 people.

For further information, please call:  Stephanie Bunker, OCHA New York,  tel: 917 367 5126, mobile: 917 892 1679; Elizabeth Byrs, OCHA Geneva, tel: 41 22 917 2653, mobile 41(0) 79 473 4570.

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