FY 2010 RENEWAL OF DISASTER DECLARATION FOR FLOODING IN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DAKAR 001257 SIPDIS AIDAC AFR/WA FOR NFREEMAN, LDOORES-FENDELL, GBERTOLIN OFDA/W FOR ACONVERY, CCHAN, FSHANKS, MSHIRLEY, JMCINTOSH, TDENYSENKO FFP/W FOR JBORNS, ASINK, TMCRAE DAKAR FOR RDAVIS GENEVA FOR NKYLOH ROME FOR US MISSION RNEWBERG, HSPANOS BRUSSELS FOR USAID PBROWN NEW YORK FOR DMERCADO NSC FOR CPRATT E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID EAGR EAGR MI SUBJECT: FY 2010 RENEWAL OF DISASTER DECLARATION FOR FLOODING IN SENEGAL REF: DAKAR 01179 -------------- DAKAR 00001257 001.2 OF 002 SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. SUMMARY. On September 17, post declared a disaster due to the effects of severe flooding throughout Senegal (reftel). In response, USAID's Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA) has provided USD 50,000 in emergency assistance to date. However, limited Government of Senegal (GoS) efforts to assist severely flood-affected populations in urban and peri-urban areas of the capital, Dakar, as well as limited relief efforts in rural areas, could necessitate additional assistance in the weeks to come. Accordingly, post re-declares a disaster for Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 due to ongoing humanitarian needs. END SUMMARY. -------------- CURRENT FLOOD EFFECTS AND RESPONSE EFFORTS -------------- ¶2. On September 17, post declared a disaster (reftel) due to extensive flooding that has persisted in urban and rural areas since mid-August, including Dakar, Pikine, Rufisque, and Guediawaye departments, all in Dakar Region, and Diourbel, Kaffrine, Kaolack, Kedougou, Kolda, Matam, Saint Louis, Sedhiou, Tambacounda, and Thies regions. Relief agencies identify water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions and provision of shelter as the primary humanitarian needs throughout flood-affected areas. ¶3. According to the GoS, the floods at their height affected as many as 720,000 people, the highest total of any West African nation. However, due to receding flood waters in areas of Dakar city, the GoS estimates a total of approximately 370,000 flood-affected people as of September 30, including 350,000 people in Dakar Region -- the vast majority in Pikine Department -- and 20,000 people in other parts of Senegal. Floods have affected more than 9,000 people in Kaolack Region, central Senegal, and more than 6,000 people in Kolda Region, southern Senegal. In Kedougou Region, southern Senegal, rising water levels in the Gambia River have flooded Kedougou town and surrounding agricultural areas, and in Saint Louis Region, northern Senegal, residents have abandoned three flooded villages. ¶4. To date, the majority of relief efforts have focused on urban and peri-urban areas of Dakar. USAID/Senegal reports that local communes, community members, and relief agencies -- rather than the GoS -- are currently conducting the bulk of relief efforts. In Pikine East, the most heavily-affected section of Pikine Department, relief agencies are conducting WASH activities to mitigate the effects of stagnant flood waters, contaminated water sources, and a non-functioning sewage system. While local communes have mobilized pumps and work crews to drain flood waters, the combination of continued rainfall, a shallow water table, and poor drainage makes water removal extremely difficult. Relief agencies express concern regarding the potential spread of waterborne diseases in flood-affected urban, peri-urban, and rural areas. -------------- -------------- USG EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE AND ONGOING NEEDS ASSESSMENTS -------------- -------------- ¶5. In response to the floods to date, USAID/OFDA has provided USD DAKAR 00001257 002.2 OF 002 50,000 through USAID/Senegal to Catholic Relief Services for WASH activities and the provision of equipment and supplies for the flood victims in Pikine East. USAID/OFDA and USAID/Senegal continue to meet with relief agencies to assess humanitarian conditions and identify gaps in the emergency response, both in areas of Pikine Department not yet covered by relief efforts and in other parts of the country. In response to a request from the mayor of Saint Louis city, USAID/Senegal and USAID/OFDA staff plan to meet with city officials on October 5 to ascertain the extent of flood damages and humanitarian needs in the region. -------------- RENEWAL OF DISASTER DECLARATION FOR FY 2010 -------------- ¶6. Given the scope of ongoing humanitarian needs, and pursuant to Section 062, Volume 2, of the Foreign Affairs Manual and USAID ADS 251, post hereby renews the disaster declaration in response to the floods for FY 2010. Post finds that it is in the best interests of the USG to provide continued assistance in response to the disaster and that it is beyond the capacity of the host government to provide adequate support to flood-affected populations. Local authorities have requested assistance, and post finds that the GoS will accept continued USG assistance. The USAID/OFDA regional office in Dakar continues to monitor the situation in conjunction with USAID/Senegal and humanitarian partners to clarify needs. SMITH