TBILISI, 29 JULY 2004
After the heavy rainfall and landslides in Mestia district of Upper Svaneti during 15-17 July, the Disaster Management Team (DMT) chaired by the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, in consultation with the Government of Georgia, was mobilised and the rapid situation and needs assessment mission was undertaken.
On 21-23 July on behalf of the DMT the UN World Food Programme (WFP) and Action contra el Hambre (ACH), Spanish non-governmental organization, conducted the needs assessment jointly with local authorities in Mestia, Ipari, Mulakhi, Tsvirmi, Latali and Lenjeri. According to the preliminary data, 85% of crops are destroyed as well as local residents will face shortage of fodder for livestock. Infrastructure is severely affected and majority of roads and bridges as well as residential houses are destroyed/damaged. In addition, CARE International, also being member of the DMT has started thorough infrastructure damage assessment in the area on 27 July and the results will be available in approximately one week’s time.
Based on the preliminary findings of the assessment, WFP provided two months food ration (wheat flour and vegetable oil total of 44,685 kg) to the local residents of three villages: Ipari, Tsvirmi and Mulakhi (total number of beneficiaries is 1986) to meet immediate needs of affected population. The first shipment was sent up in Svaneti on 25 July for Ipari and Tsvirmi villages. The distribution took place in consultation with local authorities and was monitored by ACH representatives. Unfortunately, due to the problems with cleaning up the road in Mulakhi, WFP food aid assigned for this village was delivered only on 28 July 2004.
As suggested in the rapid needs assessment report, there is an urgent need for immediate relief response that will include emergency food aid and rehabilitation/repair of basic infrastructure (roads, bridges, houses) before the winter season. There is a need for more longer-term (in coming 3 months) response that would include agriculture inputs, mainly potato seedlings for next Spring agriculture season, rehabilitation of agriculture lands to ensure long-term food security, and rehabilitation of infrastructure. The government has already requested international community to assist in overcoming the consequences of this disaster.
The DMT and its member agencies will try to ensure adequate assistance is provided with locally available resources or call for outside help in consultation with the Government of Georgia.
The Disaster Management Team (DMT) was established in December 2001 and consists of all UN agencies present in Georgia, some interested donors, such as Swiss Agency for Cooperation and Development and USAID, international non-governmental organisations, and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) as observer. The primary purpose of the DMT is to prepare for and facilitate a prompt, effective and concerted country-level response by the UN system and other major actors in the event of a disaster/emergency. The team ensures co-ordination of international assistance to the receiving government in respect to emergency response, rehabilitation, reconstruction, and disaster mitigation.