Risks of flooding continue in Guyana

New York, 28 January 2005 - 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.

43 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 (CDC) has been identified as the lead agency responsible for the reception, storage and distribution of relief supplies.

Assistance by UN agencies continues. 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. 15,000 Oral Rehydration Salt (ORS) packages, 100 large water containers and 6,000 buckets and dry food rations have been provided.

The World Health Organisation (WHO)/Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO) is providing technical assistance and coordination, and participates in damage/ needs assessment on health and environment. The organisation 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 Oral Rehydration Salts, 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 ten 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 were flooded, affecting some 120,000 people.