Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09NOUAKCHOTT567
2009-09-08 10:30:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Nouakchott
Cable title:
MAURITANIAN DISASTER ALERT CABLE: HEAVY RAINS
how-toVZCZCXRO0234 RR RUEHMA RUEHPA DE RUEHNK #0567 2511030 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 081030Z SEP 09 FM AMEMBASSY NOUAKCHOTT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8742 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RUEHDK/AMEMBASSY DAKAR 7229
UNCLAS NOUAKCHOTT 000567
AIDAC
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT PLEASE PASS TO OFDA
DAKAR FOR OFDA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID MR SOCI
SUBJECT: MAURITANIAN DISASTER ALERT CABLE: HEAVY RAINS
CAUSE SEVERE FLOODING IN SOUTHERN MAURITANIA
UNCLAS NOUAKCHOTT 000567
AIDAC
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT PLEASE PASS TO OFDA
DAKAR FOR OFDA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID MR SOCI
SUBJECT: MAURITANIAN DISASTER ALERT CABLE: HEAVY RAINS
CAUSE SEVERE FLOODING IN SOUTHERN MAURITANIA
1. Between August 27-29, 2009, 174 mm of rain fell on the
southern Mauritanian city of Rosso. Days after the flooding,
many houses in the city were still under 15-25 cm of water,
with some neighborhoods of Rosso being 90-95% flooded. In
Rosso alone, over 2,000 families have been displaced by the
floods.
2. To assess the situation, a joint UN-US Embassy mission to
Rosso (August 31 - September 1, 2009) reported that there are
over 10,000 internally displaced persons in Rosso, with other
areas in southern Mauritania in need of humanitarian
assistance. Many of the hardest hit areas were among the
poorest in Mauritania, with inhabitants already suffering
from high levels of poverty and food insecurity rates.
Initial estimates indicate an inability of local authorities
to provide for the basic needs of residents. UNICEF has made
arrangements for the distribution of mosquito nets, water
bladders and latrines, but there remains an immediate need
for food assistance and measure to improve sanitation in the
camps of the displaced families. The World Food Program
(WFP) has put together a program to distribute food to 2,500
families in need, and is requesting assistance with this
emergency project.
3. The Mission is working with UNICEF to identify appropriate
urgent requirements to assist in Rosso. We are also working
with the UN and Mauritanian Government to identify other
towns that may also require emergency assistance. In light
of this situation, the Ambassador expects to issue a disaster
declaration in order to alleviate the suffering of those
populations that have been severely impacted by the flooding.
The prospect of additional rain and the difficulty of
assessing the impact of the floods on smaller villages
outside of Rosso means that actual needs may be greater than
initial reports indicate.
BOULWARE
AIDAC
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT PLEASE PASS TO OFDA
DAKAR FOR OFDA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID MR SOCI
SUBJECT: MAURITANIAN DISASTER ALERT CABLE: HEAVY RAINS
CAUSE SEVERE FLOODING IN SOUTHERN MAURITANIA
1. Between August 27-29, 2009, 174 mm of rain fell on the
southern Mauritanian city of Rosso. Days after the flooding,
many houses in the city were still under 15-25 cm of water,
with some neighborhoods of Rosso being 90-95% flooded. In
Rosso alone, over 2,000 families have been displaced by the
floods.
2. To assess the situation, a joint UN-US Embassy mission to
Rosso (August 31 - September 1, 2009) reported that there are
over 10,000 internally displaced persons in Rosso, with other
areas in southern Mauritania in need of humanitarian
assistance. Many of the hardest hit areas were among the
poorest in Mauritania, with inhabitants already suffering
from high levels of poverty and food insecurity rates.
Initial estimates indicate an inability of local authorities
to provide for the basic needs of residents. UNICEF has made
arrangements for the distribution of mosquito nets, water
bladders and latrines, but there remains an immediate need
for food assistance and measure to improve sanitation in the
camps of the displaced families. The World Food Program
(WFP) has put together a program to distribute food to 2,500
families in need, and is requesting assistance with this
emergency project.
3. The Mission is working with UNICEF to identify appropriate
urgent requirements to assist in Rosso. We are also working
with the UN and Mauritanian Government to identify other
towns that may also require emergency assistance. In light
of this situation, the Ambassador expects to issue a disaster
declaration in order to alleviate the suffering of those
populations that have been severely impacted by the flooding.
The prospect of additional rain and the difficulty of
assessing the impact of the floods on smaller villages
outside of Rosso means that actual needs may be greater than
initial reports indicate.
BOULWARE