On 13 June 2018 five districts in Serbia (Branicevo, Kolubara, Sumadija, Podunavlje, Pomoravlje, in East and West Serbia and Sumadija) are affected with sudden heavy rainfall, hailstorm, and in some parts incessant rains. On 15 June the Serbian Ministry for Internal Affairs, Sector for Emergency Situations declared state of emergency in these five districts. On 16 June, a state of emergency was also declared Nisava (South-East Serbia), and on 18 June in South-West Serbia as well. In all seven districts, rural households are affected. Damage on agricultural crops is estimated at 100%. In Sumadija, estimated damage is twice the annual municipality budget. Schools and kindergartens are evacuated in this region. In this region 2,850 houses are affected (app. 9,000 people) and 75% of total agricultural land.  In South Serbia, damage is estimated at USD 60,000,000. 11 villages are affected, and damage is both on households and on crops. 11km of roads are destroyed, among them 3 bridges.

RRFs_Serbia_Floods-No. RRF10_2018

In the evening of Saturday the 26 May 2018, the regions of Gamo Goffa zone and Sidama Zone in the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ Region (SNNPR) Region in Ethiopia were affected by a landslide caused by heavy torrential rains between May 24th-26th for three consecutive days, resulting in 34 deaths.

Through a rapid response intervention, Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus/Development and Social Service Commission (EECMY-DASSC) will provide lifesaving assistance of food, non-food items and WASH to 300 individuals affected by the landslide.

This immediate intervention will protect the lives of beneficiaries from further impact until more medium to long-term humanitarian assistance is provided by the government and other international
actors

Ethiopia_Emergency Response to Landslides in the South Nations Nationalities and People’s Region _SNNPR Region_No. RRF 11_2018

As of 25 May 2018, sub-tropical storm Alberto, with maximum sustained winds of 65 km/hour, passed over Cuba and brought torrential rainfalls (4 inches of water in 24 hours) causing overflowing of rivers and streams. According to the Ministry of Interior, flood waters swept away a bridge and damaged roads and other infrastructure, leaving many communities cut off and nearly 60,000 people without electricity. More than 52,000 Cubans have been evacuated in the affected area.  11 people reported were dead, and 2 disappeared respectively across the affected territories.  Approximately 1,384 homes were affected, with 174 totally collapsed.

An oil spill – which is now under control – was caused by heavy flooding at one of the nation’s main oil refineries in Cienfuegos. It has been controlled by local authorities. There has also been substantial damage in the agricultural sector, with crops such as rice, beans, tobacco and bananas particularly affected.  Concerns have also been raised about possible waterborne disease outbreaks.

Cuban Council of Churches (CIC) has submitted a Rapid Response Fund Proposal to support 650 households with food security.

RRF_Cuba_09_2018

During the night of Wednesday the 30^th May 2018, the town of Marwa, Ruvu Mferejini and Ruvu Jiungeni in SAME District, Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania, was severely hit by overflow of river Ruvu and Nyumba ya Mungu Dam. On this night an overflow caused displacement of households, interrupted communication, swept away termed animals and crop fields. According to the RVA done by two members of ACT Tanzania Forum (ELCT and TCRS), the overflow caused floods that displaced 450 Households that had a range of between 10 to 20 persons in each household making a total number of 5,780 homeless people.

Findings indicate that 890 acres of farmed land (tomatoes, onions, maize and beans) submerged in water, 300 houses were swept away and or covered with mud and about 135,000 kilograms of foodstuff from the registered 450 households were swept away.

Number of domestic animals and birds died was not yet established as all men and youths with their animals vacated the area leaving behind their wives and children unattended. According to the SAME District Commissioner’s report, nine primary schools and one secondary school from the ward had to be closed before the term end and therefore interrupted school calendar.

The floods have put the town in a state of crisis. The flood affected persons find themselves in a desperate situation, with many unmet vital humanitarian needs such as access to: food, safe drinking water, school and scholastic materials, housing, washrooms and other sanitary services.

The regional and District commissioners of Kilimanjaro Region, Same and Mwanga Districts through their structured response divisions are closely working with the displaced families. Through the evacuation team, the Government has shifted the affected families to safer areas and have provided land for residential construction (each family given a plot of size 15X25 meters). The Government has also provided Water guard tablets to cleanse water. A team scouts and police are helping in putting in place temporary latrines.

Norwegian Church Aid has committed TZS 22 million for purchase of water purification tablets, water storage facilities per each of the registered 450 households.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT) conducted the Response Vulnerability Assessment (RVA), and has availed accommodation for women with U5 children in its nearby church premises. Tanganyika Christian Refugee Service donated 340 boxes of youth clothes, 15 bales of baby blankets and 10 bales of quits. Christian Council of Tanzania (CCT) through its WAMA offices in Dar es Salaam are sorting out how to engage /participate on the movement/activity.

ELCT and TCRS are responsible for the project implementation. The staff of ELCT and TCRS shall be very involved, as well as volunteers from affected communities.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania is submitting a Rapid Response Fund Proposal to support those in need.

Tanzania-Floods Emergency (RRF)

The Fuego Volcano, located 27 miles southwest of Guatemala City, erupted around noon on Sunday, June 3, 2018. According to CONRED, Guatemala’s national civil protection authority, the death toll has reached 109. The agency says that in addition, 58 people were injured, 197 people are missing, the number of people in shelters are 4137, 12,407people have been evacuated from the affected zone. Authorities expect the death toll to rise as more bodies are discovered. As many as 1,713,566 million people may be affected mainly through ash intoxication and acid rain. Volcanic activity has increased after the first eruption on 3 June. Explosions have ranged between moderate and strong, throwing ash some 5,000m into the air. On 5 June, authorities issued evacuation alerts that triggered mass panic in the surrounding population, leading to a massive population movement that caused the collapse of critical roads. On 6 June, the National Institute for Seismology, Volcanology, Meteorology and Hydrology (INSIVUMEH) reported that the accumulation of volcanic material resulted in lahar flows down the Seca and Mineral ravines, both of which are tributaries of the Pantaleon river. These lahar flows measure 30-40m in width and 4-5m in height, descending with heat and giving off steam and carrying material similar to a cement mix with rocks that are 2-3m in diameter, putting communities near the ravines and Pantaleon bridge at high risk. New lahar flows are possible if current rainfall continues. A red alert remains in place for the Escuintla, Sacatepéquez and Chimaltenango departments, as well as in the municipalities of Escuintla.

ACT Guatemala Forum,  through its  local member  Protestant Center for Pastoral Studies in Central America (CEDEPCA, by its spanish acronym) is planning to provide unconditional cash, WASH, Psychosocial support and capacity building to 2160 households affected by the volcanic eruption.

Concept_Note_09_2018_Volcanic_Eruption

Since 30 March 2018, the Gaza Strip has witnessed an enormous increase in Palestinian casualties in the context of mass demonstrations taking place along Israel’s perimeter fence with Gaza. The demonstrations have occurred as part of the ‘Great March of Return’, a series of mass protests, expected to continue up to 5 June. The large number of casualties among unarmed Palestinian demonstrators, including a high percentage of demonstrators hit by live ammunition, has raised concerns about excessive use of force by Israeli troops. Gaza’s health sector is struggling to cope with the mass influx of casualties, due to years of blockade, internal divide and a chronic energy crisis, which have left essential services in Gaza barely able to function.  (UNOCHA)

These developments have triggered further deterioration in the humanitarian situation, impacting the availability of essential services and eroding the livelihoods of Gaza’s two million residents. The following indicators were identified by the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) to monitor the evolution of the crisis, trigger humanitarian action and prevent further deterioration. (UNOCHA)

Appeals_Palestine_Emergency Response-PSE181

According to Kenya Flood Response Update by UNICEF dated 19 May 2018, at least 332,000 people have been displaced by floods in Kenya and 183 have lost their lives.

The update cites that 20 out of 47 counties are affected. According to Kenya Meteorological Department, the rains will continue to the second half of 2018 posing a risk of continued flooding in flood-prone areas.

Population affected by floods are displaced to makeshift camps; lack decent shelter, have limited access to food, non food items, safe water, sanitation and hygiene services. They face risk to water borne disease outbreaks.The camp environment has also heightened trauma and predisposes women and girls to abuse.

Long term effects are disruption of routine socio-economic activities such as learning, market activities and farming.

ACT Kenya Forum proposes to intervene for 12 months and have raised an appeal for $ 1,875,513 to respond in the sectors of NFIs, shelter support (upon return), provision of unconditional cash grants and early recovery to livelihoods. In addition, other sectors of focus include health care services and water, sanitation and hygiene services including water trucking, distribution of WASH related NFIs ,Hygiene packs, water treatment tabs, water storage containers.

Requesting members include Anglican Church of Kenya, Church World Service, Lutheran World Federation and National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK).

The appeal is aimed at providing life-saving assistance to households residing in makeshift camps while also providing mid-term early recovery support to enable displaced HH recover from the impact of floods.  Priority will be given to vulnerable groups like disabled, single headed families, under five, pregnant and lactating mothers.

While flood waters may take up to three months to subside; the displaced population may have to up to early 2019 to be able to produce their own food and begin to restore their livelihoods.

Currently, requesting members have conducted internal assessment of the situation, and coordinating with other humanitarian actors in preparation of the response.

Kenya-Floods Emergency Response and Early Recovery (Concept Note)

In the afternoon  of Thursday 10 May 2018, in the town of El-Sultan Hassan village – a slum area, El Minya Governorate in Egypt an electric short circuit caused fire in one of the village houses. This spark caused the entire house to catch flame. The barns where built of wooden beams and palm branches, and they quickly caught fire. This fire burned down four houses of which each hosted three families.  They lost most of their household valuables along with the buildings. The fire also affected the livestock of 45 families, thereby losing their sources of livelihoods. A total of 45 families lost their houses and most of their household items.

The fire has put the town in a state of crisis. The fire affected persons are in a desperate situation, now faced with many unmet vital needs such as access to sufficient food, need for safe shelter, and non-food items. Their nutritional health by providing them adequate food is also to be met since they lost their livelihood assets and the source of income, and also could not salvage any food out of their blazing houses. The situation of fire affected people is further compounded by vulnerabilities, especially for women and children. There is a pressing need to provide immediate assistance to ensure that the needs of the most vulnerable are covered. Many people also sustained physical injuries resulting from the fire, some with 3^rd degree burns, and they would need medical care for a period of time. Except for medical care which was provided partially, none of their needs were met by the government or other actors.

RRFs_Egypt_ Emergency Assistance to Fire Affected People in El Sultan Hasan_ No.RRF06_2018

During the night of Friday 2 March 2018, Nairobi County and several parts of the country were severely flooded. On this day, flooding caused displacement of households, interrupted transport, swept away bridges and caused the death of 11 people nationwide.

Floods and heavy rain have continued to damage infrastructure, preventing or limiting humanitarian access to many of the affected areas and cutting off people’s access to markets in multiple locations.

According to OCHA Flash update #2 of 3^rd May 2018, floods have now displaced at least 244,407 people (45,219 households) people across Kenya, including more than 23,000 displaced over the last week, as several parts of the country continue to receive heavy rainfall. The death toll has risen to 80 people, and 33 have been injured, according to the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) search and rescue team. The highest displaced populations are reported in Tana River, Turkana, Mandera and Kilifi counties. In Nandi county, 243 households were displaced following a mudslide.

Floods have interrupted opening of schools in several counties as some school buildings are submerged or totally cut off.

The dire situation is further compounded for flood affected people with vulnerabilities, more specifically for woman and girls who are at a higher risk of gender-based violence in areas where displaced persons have sought shelter such as school’s compounds and other community centres.

ACT Kenya forum is planning to submit a funding proposal to provide food and non-food items and other essential needs to ensure that flood affected persons’ basic needs are met. National members of ACT Kenya forum have submitted an RRF to provide life saving interventions.

Kenya – Emergency Response to Floods RRF – No. 5

The Gu rains 2018 started in April 2018 with above average rains. First, they started slowly but soon reached precipitation above normal. The soils were dried out and hard and could not absorb the rain water all over Somalia.

This caused flash floods all over the country except in North-Eastern Puntland where it did not rain.

With the beginning of the Gu-rains and severe flooding at the end of April the priorities changed suddenly when flash floods appeared, and the rivers busted their beds with the consequence that 200,000 persons had to leave their homes in Hiraan.

Riverine floods have also been experienced along the Shabelle River in Beletweyn and along the Juba River in Gedo. In Beletweyn alone, flood level reached a 50-years’ record displacing approximately 200,000 persons, including old IDPs now displaced to higher ground.

Priority needs are now drinking water, Shelter and NFI, emergency latrines, decontamination of shallow wells, and food.

Affected population lack everything, with the most pressing needs being mostly drinking water, shelter and NFI, emergency latrines. After floods retreat shallow wells will need to get decontaminated.

ACT Somalia forum members Finn Church Aid, Norwegian Church Aid, Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe, Diakonia Sweden and Lutheran World Federation are seeking a second revision of SOM 171 appeal to address the flash floods in the riverine areas along the Shabelle River in Beletweyn and along the Juba River in Gedo region.

SOMALIA-Drought and Flood Response Appeal SOM171 (2 revision)