VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBO #0612/01 0552342
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 242342Z FEB 09
FM AMEMBASSY BOGOTA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7335
INFO RUEHSJ/AMEMBASSY SAN JOSE 5339
RUEHPE/AMEMBASSY LIMA 7025
RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO 7747
RUEHZP/AMEMBASSY PANAMA 3062

UNCLAS BOGOTA 000612 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR USAID:LMCKECHNIE, ELANDAU, NKYLOW, JKESSINGER, 
TCALLAGHAN, PGELMAN, RCARRILLO, LTREJOS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAID PGOV AEMR ASEC PHUM KFLO CO
 
SUBJECT: SEVERE FLOODING IN TUMACO AND OTHER COMMUNITIES IN NARIQO, 
COLOMBIA: DECLARATION OF DISASTER 
 
¶1. SUMMARY: As a result of heavy rains on February 15-16, 2009, the 
Mira River overflowed its banks causing severe flooding in the 
municipality of Tumaco, Nario.  Over 6,000 families were affected 
(approximately 31,000 people) resulting in one confirmed death and 
22 missing persons.  The Chief of Mission has determined that the 
disaster is of sufficient magnitude to warrant U.S. Government 
assistance.  The damage has exceeded the effective capacity of the 
Colombian Government to respond, DPAD has indicated they are willing 
to accept USG assistance, and it is in the best interest of the USG 
to respond immediately.  In addition, USAID has also received 
requests for assistance from both the municipal government of Tumaco 
and the departmental government of Nario.  The Chief of Mission is 
therefore exercising his Disaster Assistance Authority.  END 
SUMMARY. 
 
¶2. Heavy rains on February 15th in the upper reaches of the Mira 
River watershed led to a severe flashflood at approximately 4:00 
a.m. the following morning in the lower areas of the Mira river - 
known as 'Bajo Mira' primarily in the municipality of Tumaco, 
Nario.  The flood affected 6,250 families (approximately 31,250 
persons - 12,000 of which are children) - including one confirmed 
death and 22 missing persons.  In addition, 1,125 homes have been 
destroyed by the flooding and over 1,400 other homes were heavily 
damaged.  In addition, approximately 20,000 hectares (49,400 acres) 
of cash crops (African palm and cacao) and food subsistence crops 
(yucca, beans, corn, rice and others) are flooded and likely 
destroyed.  The GOC's Disaster Response Agency (known as DPAD - 
Direccion Nacional para Prevencion Atencion a Disastres) and the 
Colombian Red Cross have established 13 shelters that are 
temporarily sheltering approximately 14,000 people - leaving 17,000 
people still residing in the flooded communities.  The rains have 
continued intermittently through since February 15. 
 
¶3. The Municipality of Tumaco declared a state of emergency on 
February 16th and put its emergency contingency plan into action. 
The response to the crisis thus far has been focused in three areas: 
evacuation, establishment of temporary shelters and the distribution 
of humanitarian assistance both to the shelters as well as to the 
flooded riverine communities.  The GOC (DPAD, Civil Defense forces 
and support of Colombian and USG-financed military assets such as 
helicopters, planes and boats) led the evacuation.  The Colombian 
Air Force has established an air bridge for delivery of relief 
supplies from Bogota.  DPAD, and the Colombian Red Cross, along with 
UN OCHA and support from the municipality have led the establishment 
of temporary shelters and delivery of humanitarian assistance. 
 
¶4. Embassy Bogota has already contributed assistance to the relief 
effort through several U.S. MILGRP minimal cost projects, totaling 
$7,000, used primarily to purchase blankets and other non-food 
humanitarian relief supplies.  U.S. MILGRP also donated needed 
medicines and medical supplies, totaling $10,000, which were 
delivered Saturday (2/21/09) to the Colombian Red Cross in Tumaco. 
Plan Colombia-financed (NAS) air assets and air time played a 
crucial role in the evacuation efforts, as well as in the delivery 
of humanitarian relief supplies. 
 
¶5. According to the most recent surveys of affected communities in 
the flooded areas, the greatest need continues to be potable water 
and sanitation.  63 veredas (townships or rural subsections of a 
municipality) were fully flooded and the most are still without 
electricity.  Six rural water systems within these veredas were also 
destroyed. The municipal water system for the urban area of Tumaco 
was severely damaged and the water contaminated.  Municipal water 
service was turned back on in the urban area of Tumaco on February 
¶23.  However, service is provided only for two hours a day.  As the 
flood waters recede, water and sanitation needs and the ensuing 
public health concerns will continue to be problematic in the coming 
months.  Furthermore, due to the flooded crops, when combined with 
the collapse of the financial pyramid schemes in the fall of 2008, 
the food security situation will become problematic in the coming 
months for the residents of Tumaco and other coastal municipalities 
of Nario. 
 
¶6. The COM authority of $50,000 will be used to address the 
immediate needs for potable water and sanitation as well as to 
purchase and transport non-food humanitarian relief supplies, such 
as hygiene and kitchen kits, mattresses and blankets, destined for 
the worst hit areas of Tumaco and other coastal municipalities of 
Nario.  OFDA/LAC is recommending an additional $50,000 for a total 
of $100,000.  The relief assistance is likely to be channeled 
through the Colombian Red Cross.  In addition USAID/Colombia is also 
considering reprogramming up to an additional $30,000 of IDP funds, 
based on continued need, through existing USAID grants.  Existing 
USAID partners in the area, along with input from the MDRO, are 
looking at means to address medium-term food security concerns 
 
through existing grants and contracts. 
 
¶7. The GOC's Ministry of Interior and Justice issued a National 
Disaster Declaration for the Municipality of Tumaco on February 23, 
¶2009. 
 
¶8. Additional funds and relief supplies may be requested based on 
humanitarian gaps identified by the OFDA Regional Advisors and the 
MDRO. 
 
¶9. For additional and ongoing information on the Tumaco floods 
please see the following websites: 
- GOC/DPAD - http://www.sigpad.gov.co/ 
- The Colombian Red Cross http://www.cruzrojacolombiana.org 
- UN/OCHA Colombia office http://www.colombiassh.org 
 
BROWNFIELD