Syria - Collapse of Dam/Floods: Statement of the Emergency Relief Coordinator

The Emergency Relief Coordinator wishes to express his sincere condolences to the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic and families of the victims after the loss of life and destruction caused by the collapse of the Zeyzoun Dam.
In response to this emergency, and in consultation with the UN Resident Coordinator and the Syrian Authorities, he has decided to deploy a United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination Team (UNDAC) to the affected area. The UNDAC team will arrive in Syria tomorrow to assess the extent of the damage in the affected area and work with Syrian authorities in responding to the disaster. OCHA has offered an emergency cash grant and the UN Resident Coordinator is discussing with Syrian authorities how these funds could best be used.

New York
5 June 2002