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Guyana

Guyana: Floods - Information Bulletin n° 3

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In Brief

This Bulletin (no. 03/2006) is being issued for information only, and reflects the status of the situation and information available at this time. The Federation is not seeking funding or other assistance from donors for this operation at this time.

The Situation

Since November 2005 Guyana has been experiencing regular, high-intensity rainfall along coastal areas as well as inland. This rainfall has continued into 2006 and has gradually led to the overflow of many rivers as well as rising levels in the water reservoirs, resulting in flooding of communities near rivers and in low-lying coastal areas. In addition, to control levels of the water reservoirs and to avoid overflowing which would result in flooding of the East Coast Demerara and Georgetown, a decision was made to release water into the Mahaica River resulting in increased flood levels in Region 5.

On 27 January 2006 the Guyana government stated that up to 12,000 families (35,000 persons) were affected by the floods but they did not deem it as a national emergency. On Saturday 28 January, the Guyana government officially declared Region 2 and Region 5 disaster areas and called on the United Nations and the donor community for support for rehabilitation of drainage infrastructure and restoration of livelihoods. The worst affected regions are:

  • Region 1 - Barima, Waini

  • Region 2 - Pomeroon - Supenaam

  • Region 3 - Essequibo Islands - West Demerara

  • Region 5 - Mahaica, Mahaicony, Berbice

  • Region 6 - East Berbice, Corentyne

  • Region 9 - Rupununi, which is in the South of the country on the border with Brazil, also reported flooding due to heavy rainfall

Displaced people 5,000 persons
Cattle/Livestock lost 5,000 head
Rice paddies and other crops lost 12,964 acres (4,900 hectares)
Loss in rice exports USD 4 million
Infrastructure damages USD 165,000,000

On 27 January 2006 the Ministry of Health met with various NGOs and international organizations to discuss the distribution of antibiotics for the treatment of leptospirosis, a bacterial illness that is transmitted to humans from the urine of infected animals in flood waters or wet ground and vegetation. At the same time it was reported in the media that 9 deaths had occurred due to leptospirosis, but these had been in non-flood areas. Stocks of the antibiotic, 'Doxycycline', are available in Guyana.

An estimated 95 percent (or around 1,400 acres or 560 hectares) of the crops including plantains, cassava, ginger, pepper and vegetables have been lost in Region 1. Exact data on the number of crops lost in Region 2 is not yet available; however, it is expected to be significant as this region is an important supplier of cash crops and fruits. In Region 5, 9,000 acres (or approximately 3,600 hectares) of rice in addition to 5,000 livestock and cash crops have been lost. Meanwhile, 65,000 head of cattle remained at risk of disease or drowning as a result of the floods and efforts were being made move them and find sufficient feed.

Even though it was not declared as a national emergency the government of Guyana decided to give a flat cash sum to up to 5,000 affected households. Cattle farmers would get GYD 50,000 (USD 263), rice farmers would get GYD 20,000 (USD 105) per acre up to a maximum of 20 acres, and the sum for householders is not yet determined.

Housing and shelters

While most families have so far remained in their houses despite their yards and houses being flooded, approximately 400 have relocated to the five shelters that have been set up in the affected areas. Of this number, two thirds are children. The shelters, which are managed by the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), are in primary school buildings and the conditions are generally good. An additional 150 people depend on hot food delivery from shelters due to old age or disability.

Water and sanitation

In the flood affected areas of Region 5 there is no regular water supply, and communities principally rely on creek and rainwater. Due to overflowing and damaged latrines, as well as the death of animals, the quality of that water has deteriorated. A preliminary assessment done by Ministry of Health with support from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) indicates faecal contamination of the Mahaicony River.

Health

The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with PAHO/WHO, is conducting health surveillance. Medical teams from the Ministry of Health are working closely with the Civil Defence Commission and have been going into the flooded areas on a daily basis to deliver health care. To date, there has been no evidence any untoward cases of diarrhoea in the flooded areas. However, there have been an increasing number of admissions of persons with a suspected diagnosis of leptospirosis to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. On a daily basis, usually four to five persons are in the ward with this preliminary diagnosis. A number of deaths have occurred; however, PAHO is working with the Ministry of Health to conduct investigations and confirm the numbers of these deaths, which can be attributed to leptospirosis. Prophylactic doxycycline is being administered in the flooded areas and in other areas where cases have been detected.

Education

Seven schools in Region 2 were temporarily closed because of flooding. In Region 5 a total of 25 schools were affected but did not close. Currently 5 schools are being used as shelters.

From meetings with government officials, the organizations present in the country recognized that there was a need for more in-depth assessments. This will also ensure a common approach by all external organizations. Most organizations, including the Guyana Red Cross Society (GRCS), have agreed that a longer term approach is required particularly related to first aid training, psychosocial support assistance, community based disaster preparedness awareness programmes and possibly targeted food distributions. The GRCS, together with a disaster management delegate from the Federation's Pan American Disaster Response Unit (PADRU), is currently reassessing the situation and identifying needs for further action.

A team from the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) arrived in Guyana on 3 February to assess the current flood situation.

For further information specifically related to this operation please contact:

In Guyana: Guyana Red Cross Society, Dorothy Fraser, General Director, Georgetown; email redcross@sdnp.org.gy, phone (592) 227-5190, fax (592) 225-2525

In Trinidad & Tobago: Thomas Doyle, Disaster Management Delegate, Pan American Disaster Response Unit, Port of Spain; email: thomas.doyle@ifrc.org; phone (1 868) 627 2665; Fax (1 868) 627 9627

In Trinidad & Tobago: Julia Brothwell, Sub Regional Office Coordinator, Port of Spain; e-mail; julia.brothwell@ifrc.org; phone (1 868) 735 0858; Fax (1 868) 627 9627

In Geneva: Luis Luna, Federation Regional Officer, Americas Department, Geneva: email luis.luna@ifrc.org, phone (41 22) 730-4274, fax (41 22) 733-0395

All International Federation assistance seeks to adhere to the Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO's) in Disaster Relief and is committed to the Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response (Sphere) in delivering assistance to the most vulnerable.

For longer-term programmes in this or other countries or regions, please refer to the Federation's Annual Appeal. For support to or for further information concerning Federation programmes or operations in this or other countries, or for national society profiles, please also access the Federation's website at http://www.ifrc.org

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