In progress at UNHQ

IHA/1012

UNITED NATIONS SEEKS NEARLY $3 MILLION TO ASSIST FLOOD VICTIMS IN GUYANA

8/2/2005
Press Release
IHA/1012

UNITED NATIONS SEEKS NEARLY $3 MILLION TO ASSIST FLOOD VICTIMS IN GUYANA


GUYANA, 8 February (UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) -- Today, the United Nations system launched a Flash Appeal in response to the emergency humanitarian situation created by the recent floods that hit Guyana during the second week of January.  The floods, the severest in Guyana in over a century, have resulted in loss of livelihoods, disruption of services such as health and education, the threat of disease and the weakening of infrastructure.  Over 300,000 Guyanese -- nearly half of the total population -- are affected. Drainage of the floodwaters has been extremely slow and even now, between 80,000 and 90,000 people still have water in and around their homes.


“This emergency may have gone unnoticed outside Guyana in the aftermath of the tsunami”, said Jan Egeland, United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator.  “But for those struck, the effects of the floods have been no less devastating than on the Indian Ocean beaches.  Having witnessed the impressive generosity of donors for survivors of the tsunami, I hope that they contribute rapidly and fully to this appeal”, Egeland said. 


The $3 million appeal aims at meeting the immediate needs of the Guyanese population while preparing the way for recovery.


The funding being sought is required urgently to provide the affected population with safe water and adequate sanitation, re-establish basic social services in health and education, and give access to healthy food, especially to vulnerable groups, such as pregnant and lactating women, children and the elderly.


In addition, the appeal will help kick-start rehabilitation by providing small farming communities with production inputs such as seeds, veterinarian services and equipment to help them rebuild their livelihoods and contribute to agricultural recovery.  Funding will also be required to build capacity to prepare for, and respond to, future emergencies in a coordinated manner.  Funds have also been allocated to undertake post-crisis macroeconomic assessments and build national expertise in the conduct of these assessments.


“Since the onset of the emergency, UN agencies on the ground, have been working closely with the Government and other partners to provide emergency relief”, said Youssef Mahmoud, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Guyana.  “We need to keep supporting the affected population, so they can get back on their feet, and actively participate in rebuilding their livelihoods as soon as possible”, he added.


The Flash Appeal presented today highlights the priorities in humanitarian relief and recovery activities for the next six months to be undertaken by the United Nations agencies in Guyana in support of, and complementing, the efforts of the Government, the Civil Defence Commission, and national and international non-governmental organizations.


Summary of requirements by appealing agency:


Appealing Agency

Requirements in US$

UNDP

700,000

PAHO/WHO

690,000

UNICEF

725,000

WFP

800,000

UNFPA

60,000

Grand Total

2,975,000


Summary of requirements by sector


Sector

Requirements in US$

Agriculture

250,000

Coordination & Support Services

300,000

Economic Recovery & Infrastructure

150,000

Education

350,000

Food

800,000

Health

800,000

Water & Sanitation

325,000

Grand Total

2,975,000


Contact information:  Officer of the UN Resident Coordination in Guyana - Coordination & Communications Officer, Ms. Margo Singh, tel.:  011 592 226 4040 ext.:  243 or margo.singh@undp.org.


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For information media. Not an official record.