SITUATION UPDATE 4: FLOODING IN SURINAME'S INTERIOR

UNCLAS PARAMARIBO 000284 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE 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 FOR PEACE CORPS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SENV PGOV PREL EAID ECON NS SUBJECT: SITUATION UPDATE 4: FLOODING IN SURINAME'S INTERIOR REFTELS: PARAMARIBO 280 AND PREVIOUS ¶1. (U) USAID/OFDA's three-person disaster assessment team arrived in Suriname on May 15. Team members are currently coordinating with United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC),European Commission Humanitarian Aid Department (ECHO),and the National Coordinating Commission for Disaster Planning (NCCR) to determine unfilled gaps in the disaster response. Significant financial resources have been identified in the Netherlands from both the government and private sources. Logistics delivery to the affected areas remains highly problematic with fuel and drinking water also key issues. PAHO is making applications to the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund to cover emergency water supply and malaria control. ¶2. (U) Waters in the Upper Suriname River area are falling, making the situation more manageable for this affected population. However, waters are still rising in the east, where it is more difficult to flee to higher ground as more villages are built on islands in the river, some of which are now submerged. It is not clear whether all villages have been reached for assessment. LEONARD