Floods in Suriname Situation Report, May 10

Nature of the disaster

Flooding, due to continued torrential rainfall over the period starting around 1 May 2006.

Areas affected

The area affected is the whole Southern part of Suriname, more in particular the districts of Sipaliwini and Brokondo.

People affected

• Confirmed deaths: inventory pending
• Injured: inventory pending
• Displaced/ homeless: 22,141 (estimate)

Damage

• Mostly damage to houses and buildings (stone and wood) and roads.
• River ports and airstrips partly inaccessible.
• Telecommunication partly disabled.
• Electricity damaged in all affected areas.

General threats

• Meteorological reports predict further heavy rainfall within the next few days.
• Population movements expected.

Health situation

• Expectation of diarrhoea epidemic.
• There may be a sudden increase in mercury levels due to release of mercury from small-scale gold mining areas.
• Some of the medical centres are flooded, but most are still operational.

Current response

• Evacuation decided for two badly affected areas.
• Assessment of relief needs is currently being undertaken.
• Affected areas have been publicly announced disaster areas by the President of Suriname on May 8, 2006.

International response

• A United Nations Disaster Management Team has been set up.
• A request for support has been sent to BCPR and OCHA, pending the receipt of the situation analysis and needs analysis.
• Other international organizations and embassies are also awaiting formal request letters.