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Chile

Chile: Floods DREF Operation No. MDRCL005

Attachments

Glide No. FL-2008-000155-CHL

The International Federation's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) is a source of un-earmarked money created by the Federation in 1985 to ensure that immediate financial support is available for Red Cross and Red Crescent response to emergencies. The DREF is a vital part of the International Federation's disaster response system and increases the ability of national societies to respond to disasters.

CHF 50,000 (USD 45,455 or EUR 30,960) has been allocated from the Federation's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) to support the National Society in order to jump start their early relief and assessment activities. Unearmarked funds to repay DREF are encouraged.

Summary: On 31 August, 2008, heavy rain has been affecting especially, the ninth region in Chile, La Araucania causing flash floods and landslides in 31 communities. This DREF operation is focused on providing initial support to the Chilean Red Cross (CRC).

More detailed information will become available once damage and need assessments are completed.

The situation

On 31 August, heavy rain and floods deeply affected the regions of Maule, Bio Bio, La Araucania Los Lagos and Los Rios in Chile. Landslides and overflowed rivers have destroyed roadways, houses, bridges and other infrastructure. Landslides have blocked many of the roadways within the communities. Four deaths were reported.More than 81,755 people are affected due to the floods and approximately 10,922 houses have been damaged or destroyed. In the region of Biobio, two bridges were damaged and one collapsed. Municipal workers have programmed to start repairing damages on 8 September. In the region of La Araucania, due to the overflow of the Rehue river, the water supply was shut down. The municipality and the fire department will be responsible of restoring the service shortly. The region of Los Lagos was affected by floods in May 2008 affecting some 2,400 familiesand the Chilean Red Cross is still carrying out a relief operation for that emergency.

The president of Chile declared the affected region of La Araucania as a catastrophe zone. Evacuation of people in isolated areas has begun, but some 4,713 people still remain isolated. Five air force helicopters and an airplane are assisting with the evacuation activities. The National Emergency Office (Oficina Nacional de Emergencia- Ministry of Interior - ONEMI) has been providing assistance to the affected people since the night of 31 August. ONEMI dispatched three trucks containing food items, zinc sheets, mattresses, blankets, disposable diapers and clothes. The director of ONEMI along with regional technical groups and Emergency Operation Committees continue to work in the affected zones coordinating actions to start rehabilitation activities.

Coordination and partnerships

The International Federation through the Pan American Disaster Response Unit (PADRU) has been in close contact with the Chilean Red Cross (CRC). The CRC has provided information about the current situation with initial assessment reports provided by ONEMI; ONEMI's early warning system is constantly monitoring the affected regions that are in yellow alert.

PADRU is coordinating the deployment of a Regional Intervention Team (RIT) member to Chile to support the CRC with their relief activities.

In the zones affected by the floods, the UK Department for International Development (DFID) is funding projects concerning disaster risk reduction. Based on further assessments, it will be determined if and how these can support the current relief operation.