OCHA Situation Report No. 1
Azerbaijan - Floods/Landslides
6 May 2003


This situation report is based on information received today from the
office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Azerbaijan.

Situation

1. Heavy snowfalls from the end of March through the middle of April
followed by intensive melting of snow in the mountainous areas in the end
of April and further heavy rains - 10 million m3, which is equal to
average annual rainfall - have resulted in flooding in 11 districts of
Azerbaijan. Intensive precipitation has caused landslides in Ismayilli,
Gobustan, Siyezen, and Shamakhi regions, where about 130 houses have been
destroyed and over 300 houses have been heavily damaged.

2. Despite the initial efforts made by the respective government
structures since last December to reinforce the banks of the Kura and
Araks rivers, the ongoing rains have caused overflowing of the both
rivers. Over 6,000 houses have been flooded and about 300 houses are
heavily destroyed in the worst affected districts of Neftchala, Salyan,
Sabirabad, Imishli, Zardab, Kurdamir, and Ali Bayramli. No casualties or
missing person are reported.

3. Based on the weather forecast for this week, the situation might
deteriorate as the level of the Kura river, which has increased above the
normal at some places reaching 2 meters, will increase by another 30-50
centimeters, as well provoke the mud flows.


National Response

4. According to the preliminary damage assessment of the State Emergency
Commission, the floods affected over 30 regions countrywide causing damage
to over 7,000 private houses and 150 public buildings. In addition, damage
has been caused to private and state agriculture businesses, roads,
bridges, electrical power stations and transformers, and infrastructure.
Based on the preliminary assessment of the Government the overall damage
caused to domestic economy is estimated at about USD 50 - 60 million.
Damages caused to the energy supply sector, roads, including those of the
republic importance, and agriculture are estimated at over USD 5 million,
USD 12 million, and USD 16 milion respectively.

5. The affected families were evacuated from their homes and remain in
temporary shelters (mostly with relatives). The Government of Azerbaijan
is pledging about 20 billion AZ Manats (about USD 4 million) out of the
next-year state budget to procure the required equipment to cope with the
consequences of the disaster, and provide the affected families with a
lump sum to help them rehabilitate the lightly damaged houses.

6. According to NATO/EADRCC a state of emergency has been declared in the
most affected areas.


International Response and Needs

7. The IFRC, jointly with the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society, has
recently conducted a preliminary damage assessment in Nefchala, Salyan,
and Sabirabad, and launched an appeal requesting 342,608 CHF to address
the immediate needs of the affected population.

8. The Government has officially addressed to the United Nations office in
Azerbaijan with a request to facilitate in providing financial assistance
required for alleviating the consequences of the disaster. There is a need
for the following relief items:

(i) tents for 5-10 persons - 1,500 pieces
(ii) blankets - 3,000 pieces
(iii) bedclothes - 1,000 pieces
(iv) medicine for preventing outbreaks of malaria
(v) food items


In addition, there is an urgent need for the following items:

(i) rubber boots - 3,000 pairs
(ii) mobile pumps (50-300 m3 per hour) - 50 pieces
(iii) engine-equipped rubber boats for 8-10 people (not specified)


9. OCHA is in close contact with the Office of the UN Resident
Co-ordinator in Azerbaijan and will post further information as it becomes
available.

10. This situation report, together with further information on ongoing
emergencies, is also available on the OCHA Internet Website at
http://www.reliefweb.int


Telephone: +41-22-917 12 34
Fax: +41-22-917 00 23
E-mail: ochagva@un.org

In case of emergency only: Tel. +41-22-917 20 10

Desk Officers:
  Mr. Dusan Zupka / Ms. Merete Johansson
  Direct Tel. +41-22-917-1645/917-1694

Press contact:
  GVA  - Ms. Elizabeth Byrs, direct Tel. +41-22-917 26 53
  NYC  - Ms. Stephanie Bunker, direct Tel. +1-212-963 87 40


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