SITUATION UPDATE 2: FLOODING IN SURINAME'S INTERIOR

UNCLAS PARAMARIBO 000277

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR WHA/CAR - LLUFTIG
DEPT FOR OCS/ACS/WHA - RBRANSON
DEPT FOR WHA/PD - APRUITT, GADAMS, EDETTER
DEPT FOR PA/PRS
USAID FOR DCHA/OFDA
SAN JOSE FOR USAID/OFDA TIM CALLAGHAN
PLEASE PASS PEACE CORPS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV PGOV PREL EAID ECON NS
SUBJECT: SITUATION UPDATE 2: FLOODING IN SURINAME'S INTERIOR

REFS: (A) PARAMARIBO 266; (B) PARAMARIBO 269; (C) PARAMARIBO

270


1. The Government of Suriname (GOS) continues to
investigate the extent of the flooding disaster in southern
Suriname, and is struggling to mount its response against
formidable logistic obstacles. As noted in ref (b),we
received a formal request for assistance from the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs on May 9, prompting our ref (c) disaster
declaration. High among GOS requests is for expert
assessment for early recovery and relief efforts. We
understand from today's donor coordination meeting that UN
and EU counterparts to OFDA have already begun informally
consulting with OFDA, as well as with Red Cross officials,
on the possibility of sending small numbers of disaster
assessment experts. A six-person UN team is set to arrive
the evening of May 11. The EU will make a final decision
May 11 on sending a small team, but expects at this point
that their eventual decision will be favorable. Post
welcomes, as would the GOS, OFDA participation in that
effort.


2. While rains have slowed in some areas, flooding has in
fact worsened in the extreme south and western portions, and
water levels remain the same elsewhere. Food and water
shortages are becoming an issue, and health authorities are
concerned about outbreaks of diarrhea; they have not yet
detected any signs of cholera. A total 236 military and
police officials have been dispatched to make contact with
affected areas, ensuring communication and information flow
to the National Crisis Center. Donors have been impressed
by the quality of information developed, stemming also from
standing Ministry of Regional Development contacts with
individual villages, and relying on an extensive internal
radio network meshing private, medical, and various NGO
systems.


3. Food and water supplies are beginning to move along
three roads that serve the area, but road conditions are
extremely poor, and heavy loads can only be carried to
Albina, where they must then rely on river transport. The
condition of remaining airstrips is deteriorating rapidly
from use, permitting only small planes to land. The French
and Brazilians are looking at the possibility of providing
helicopter support.


4. One piece of good news is that a major rain front
expected yesterday from the south did not in fact reach as
far as lower Suriname. The next rain front is not expected
for three days.


5. Donors are meeting daily as a group with UNDP, which is
liaising as a single point of contact with the National
Disaster Coordination Center (NCCR). Donors have been
invited for a briefing by the crisis team, including the
head of the NCCR and the five lead ministers, at the
Presidency the evening of May 10.

LEONARD