Most Recent Disaster Declaration:
Floods, 11-19-2010
Above-average and sustained heavy rain since March caused flooding throughout Colombia and affected more than 1.2 million people. As of November 22, flooding and associated landslides resulted in 139 deaths, left 19 people missing, and destroyed more than 1,700 houses, according to a Colombia-based USAID/OFDA Disaster Risk Management Specialist. Several major rivers overflowed and many others threatened to reach flood levels. As of November 18, floods and landslides destroyed crops, houses, and other buildings throughout Colombia, and more than 80 percent of the nation’s infrastructure had been affected. According to the Colombian Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology, and Environmental Studies, additional significant amounts of rainfall presented an ongoing threat of landslides and floods throughout affected areas.
On November 19, 2010, U.S. Ambassador P. Michael McKinley declared a disaster due to the effects of the floods. In response, USAID/OFDA provided $100,000 through USAID/Colombia to the Colombian Red Cross Society for the local procurement and distribution of emergency relief supplies, including hygiene kits, kitchen sets, mattresses, and blankets, to assist flood-affected populations.
Additional Disaster Declarations:
Wildfires, 01-11-2010
Between late December 2009 and mid-January 2010, drought conditions resulted in 363 wildfires in Colombia. As of January 11, 2010, fires had affected approximately 98 municipalities in 12 departments, primarily in the central and eastern regions, damaging more than 3,000 hectares of land. On January 8, the Government of Colombia (GoC) issued departmental- and district-level disaster declarations for 11 affected departments and Bogota Distrito Capital, and requested U.S. Government assistance to respond to the fires.
On January 11, U.S. Ambassador to Colombia William R. Brownfield declared a disaster due to the effects of the wildfires. In response, USAID/OFDA provided $100,000 to the Colombian Red Cross for logistical support and the purchase of firefighting tools and equipment. USAID/OFDA also provided $601,058 to transport additional firefighting equipment and personnel to the area. Four USAID/OFDA disaster management response experts, including three fire management experts, assisted the GoC with damage assessments, coordinated the response with local officials, and determined priority needs.
Floods, 02-24-2009
Following heavy rainfall on February 15 and 16, the Mira River in southwestern Colombia overflowed and caused extensive flooding in Tumaco municipality, Nariño Department. According to the Government of Colombia’s disaster response agency, Dirección para la Prevención y Atención de Disastres (DPAD), flooding caused at least one death and affected an estimated 31,250 people, including approximately 14,000 individuals displaced to shelters established by DPAD and the Colombian Red Cross (CRC). Floodwaters also damaged or destroyed 2,525 houses and approximately 20,000 hectares of agricultural land. Since the onset of flooding, response activities primarily focused on evacuation of flood-affected populations and establishment of temporary shelters. Due to contaminated water systems, provision of safe drinking water and adequate sanitation facilities continued to be priority needs in Tumaco and surrounding areas, according to DPAD officials.
On February 24, U.S. Ambassador William R. Brownfield issued a disaster declaration due to the effects of flooding. In response, USAID/OFDA provided $100,000 through USAID/Colombia to humanitarian agencies for the purchase and transport of emergency relief commodities and the provision of safe drinking water. In addition, the U.S. Embassy in Bogota provided support for the transportation of relief supplies and evacuation assistance for affected populations in Nariño Department. The U.S. Military also provided emergency relief commodities, medicines, and medical supplies, valued at $17,000.
Additional Disaster Declarations:
Floods, 12-22-2008
In mid-September, heavy seasonal rains caused extensive flooding across northern and western Colombia, particularly affecting Bolívar, Chocó, Magdalena, Sucre, and Córdoba departments. According to the Government of Colombia, flooding killed 68 people and affected more than 1 million others in 390 municipalities. In addition, flooding damaged or destroyed approximately 90,000 houses. In Chocó Department and La Mojana Region, the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that water-borne diseases and food shortages resulting from crop and livestock losses were major concerns.
On December 22, U.S. Ambassador William R. Brownfield issued a disaster declaration due to the effects of flooding. In response, USAID/OFDA provided $150,000 through USAID/Colombia to the Colombian Red Cross and local non-governmental organizations for the purchase and transport of emergency relief supplies and to provide for shelter and water, sanitation, and hygiene needs in affected areas.
For information on additional USAID disaster responses, please see OFDA Annual Reports.
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