OCHA Reports

2. The most affected cities are Armenia and Pereira.

3. According to information from the Office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Bogota, preliminary estimates indicate 300 dead and 1,000 injured.

4. National relief efforts (Govermental authorities and the National Red Cross) were immediately launched from the capital of Bogota and the two major cities of Cali and Medellin. Only emergency personnel (relief and rescue teams) are allowed into the area, where a night curfew has been ordered.

5. Damage caused to housing and infrastructure is being evaluated.

6. So far, OCHA has not been advised of a request for international assistance. OCHA keeps monitoring the situation with the Office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator.

2. Approximately 4,500 houses and 170 public buildings were destroyed.. There are no exact figures as to damage to the electric, water and gas supply systems, and there is as yet no evaluation of the damage caused to the road infrastructure. Problems with telecommunications exist in most parts of the disaster zone.

3. Through various channels, the Government of Colombia, has requested the assistance of the international community.

4. The Spokesperson for the Secretary-General of the United Nations, issued a statement on 26 September 1999, in which Mr. Kofi Annan expressed deep sympathy with the Government and people of Colombia, after the devastation caused by the earthquake. This message was widely circulated in the country.

National response

5. The President of Colombia has created a "Crisis Room" (Sala de Crisis), which will coordinate the cooperation and synchronize interventions.

6. The response to this disaster by the Colombian emergency system and population is excellent. Items such as clothing, blankets, cleaning materials, non perishable foodstuffs and medicine have been donated. The Government has coordinated the transfer of these items to the disaster areas.

7. The Government, in coordination with local emergency committees, is evaluating the condition of buildings, public services and road infrastructure. This will allow them to identify the rehabilitation/reconstruction needs and the resources required (internal and external).

8. According to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the Colombian Red Cross is strongly represented in the disaster area. At present, more than 500 volunteers and staff are working with local authorities and the army in the relief operations.

Preliminary unmet requirements

9. Preliminary assessments show the need for the following emergency supplies (that can be bought locally): tents, blankets, drinking water and generators.

10. According to the Ministry of Health and the Pan American Health Organization, there is sufficient national capacity in personnel and medical supplies. However, financial resources (cash) are needed for the local purchasing of these supplies. Donors wishing to contribute should addressthemselves to PAHO/Washington: phone +1 202 974 35 20, fax +1 202 775 45 78.

International response - Contributions' report attached

In-country coordination activities

11. The United Nations Disaster Management Team (UNDMT) in Colombia has been activated by the United Nations Resident Coordinator, and includes representatives from UNDP, FAO, PAHO/WHO, UNICEF and WFP. It meets regularly as needed. The Disaster Management Team is working closely with the national authorities, in particular with the "Crisis Room", established by the President of Colombia.

12. OCHA is coordinating closely with the UN Resident Coordinator and the UN Disaster Management Team in Colombia.

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13. OCHA is prepared to serve as a channel for cash contributions for the immediate relief needs detailed above. Funds channelled through OCHA will be spent in coordination with the relevant organizations of the UN system and OCHA will provide written confirmation of their use. Funds should be transferred to OCHA account No. CO-590.160.1 at the UBS AG, PO Box 2770, CH- 1211 Geneva 2, with reference: OCHA - Colombia - Earthquake

14. For coordination purposes, donors are requested to inform OCHA Geneva, as indicated blow, of relief missions, pledges or contributions and their corresponding values by item.

1. The earthquake of 25 January hit a zone that spans 20 towns and villages and encompasses five Departments: Quindio, Risaralda, Valle, Tolima and Caldas. The hardest hit areas include the cities of Armenia and Calarc=E1 in the Department of Quindio, and the city of Pereira in the Department of Risaralda.

2. According to the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Colombia, as of 27 January 1999, preliminary figures show that number of dead increased to over 900 (of whom 582 in the Department of Quindio), and the number of injured to approximately 3,400.

3. The priority now goes to the relocation of displaced persons into temporary housing. According to the Colombia Red Cross and UNICEF, approximately 200,000-250,000 people were left homeless.

4. Since the earthquake of 25 January 1999, a total of 230 after-shocks have been reported, 42 of them greater than 2.0 on the Richter Scale, but they have decreased both in frequency and magnitude.=20 In addition, rainstorms have aggravated the situation of the homeless, and hampered the relief operations, in particular in the city of Armenia.

- Department of Quindio

5. In Armenia, the city most affected, approximately, 60 per cent of the city's structures have been destroyed or damaged beyond repair (including the police station and the fire department). Only 20% of the debris has been cleared away, while in other cities an average 35% of the debris has been removed. Some hospitals and major clinics in Armenia (and in Pereira) have been severely affected by the earthquake, and some had to be evacuated.

6. Initial reports by USAID/OFDA also indicate that two-thirds of Armenia is without water and electricity. In addition, roads in and around Armenia are severely damaged and the airport is closed to commercial flights.

7. The centre of Armenia has been cordoned off and evacuation has been ordered. The first incidents of looting have been reported in Armenia.

8. In Calarc, the second most affected city, an estimated 60 per cent of the buildings structures are also destroyed or damaged beyond repair. All public services are inoperable. In the municipality of La Tebaida, the situation is critical with approximately 90 per cent of the houses destroyed.

- Department of Tolima

9. Cajamarca is the most affected municipality in this Department. A total of 229 houses have been damaged and the population have been evacuated as a precautionary measure. The city church and the Municipal Palace have been also damaged.

- Agriculture

10. A preliminary analysis shows that approximately 60,000 hectares of coffee plantations have been directly or indirectly affected by the disaster. Coffee is one of the primary exports in Colombia.

Request for international assistance

11. Through a circular to the bilateral and multilateral missions in Colombia, the Government of Colombia has formally requested international assistance for the victims of this earthquake. Main emergency requirements are as follows:

Non-perishable food Clothing Blankets, sheets, mattresses, bed-stead Kitchen tools; stoves; toilet sets (toothbrushes for adults and children, toothpaste, disposable dippers, toals, towels-paper and soap) Tents (water-proof) Medical supplies Purifying water systems Electric generators, lanterns and batteries Coffins Portable latrines Construction materials (corrugated zinc, plastic, nails, tools)

12. It should be stressed that most relief supplies requested can be bought locally.

13. In-kind contributions should be addressed to the "FONDO NACIONAL DE CALMIDADES DE COLOMBIA" to facilitate customs procedures. Donors should provide in advance pertinent information concerning type, quantity and value of the emergency goods, as well the flight details, date and port of entry. Cash contributions should be made in US Dollars to "BANCAFE ACCOUNT IN CITY BANK NEW YORK - NUMBER ACCOUNT: 10922762 TO BE CREDITED TO ACCOUNT NUMBER: 021-99214-4 OF FIDUCIARIA LA PREVISORA S.A. FIDEICOMISO FONDO NACIONAL DE CALAMIDADES-DONACIONES.

14. At this stage UNICEF estimates that at least US$500,000 will be needed to fund the following emergency response activities over the next three months:

- Distribution to families of Basic Survival Kits which include tents, blankets, kitchen utensils, water tanks, lamps and first-aid items.

- Deployment of 150 volunteers from the Colombian Movement of Children for Peace to help children overcome the trauma of this tragedy.

- Provision and distribution of education kits, school materials, notebooks and pencils to thousands of children whose education has been disrupted by the emergency.

15. The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement today launched a preliminary appeal for 11.7 million Swiss Francs targeting 100,000 people. The funds are urgently needed by the Colombian Red Cross to provide a range of services and items such as: shelter materials, including tents and plastic sheeting; first aid supplies, blood transfusion units and water purification tablets; clothing; food and kitchen utensils; generators and lanterns. All the items can be purchased locally and donations are requested in cash. A full appeal will be prepared over the coming week, following a detailed assessment of needs. This will also provide for longer term assistance, including reconstruction and rehabilitation.

National Response

16. The President of Colombia announced that $13.3 million had been assigned for emergency aid.

International response - Updated contributions report attached (as of 28 January 1999).

In-country assessment and coordination activities

17. OCHA has dispatched today a four-person United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) Team to Colombia, who will be assisting the Government and the United Nations Resident Coordinator in the assessment of the situation/relief needs and coordination of incoming international assistance, as appropriate.

18. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) today dispatched an emergency team to three districts in Colombia (Risaralda, Quindio and Valle del Cauca) to carry out a rapid assessment of the most urgent needs of children and women. UNICEF is also evaluating the effect of the damage caused by the earthquake on health, nutrition and education projects in the region.

19. The World Bank will send a mission next week to evaluate the damage to infrastructure, and is also trying to coordinate a future joint WB/IDB mission.

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20. OCHA is prepared to serve as a channel for cash contributions for the immediate relief needs detailed above. Funds channelled through OCHA will be spent in coordination with the relevant organizations of the UN system and OCHA will provide written confirmation of their use. Funds should be transferred to OCHA account No. CO-590.160.1 at the UBS AG, PO Box 2770, CH-1211 Geneva 2, with reference: OCHA - Colombia - Earthquake

21. For coordination purposes, donors are requested to inform OCHA Geneva, as indicated blow, of relief missions, pledges or contributions and their corresponding values by item.=20

1. According to data (as of 29 January 1999) received from the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Bogota, the number of dead has risen to 950, and the number of injured has increased to nearly 4,000.

2. Damage caused to housing:

- Department of Quindio: up to 95 per cent in some sections of the city of Armenia; up to 80 per cent in the municipalities of Barcelona, Calarca and la Tebaida.

- Department of Risaralda: 50 per cent in the centre of the city of Pereira.

- Department of Valle del Cauca: between 10 and 20 per cent in the Municipalities of Alcal=E1, Caicedonia, Ulloa.

- Department of Tolima: 15 per cent in the Municipality of Cajamarca.

National response

3. Mr. Juan Carlos Villegas, a prominent national figure, has been appointed by the President of Colombia as Executive Coordinator of the Presidency for emergency and reconstruction actions in the affected areas. The President has further set up a centre of operations in Armenia, and it will remain in operation as long as the emergency so requires.

4. The disaster area has been placed under military control, due to serious problems with looting in the city of Armenia.

5. The President has announced that all relief assistance will be audited by an independent body.

International response

6. An up-dated report on contributions will be part of the next situation report.

7. The UNDAC team have met with the UN Disaster Management Team/DMT (UNDP, FAO, PAHO/WHO, UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP) to coordinate activities. An expert from HABITAT will join the mission.

8. IAPSO (the United Nations Inter-Agency Procurement Services Office) has offered its services in the acquisition of equipment such as vehicles, generators, water tanks, and others.

9. The UN DMT has made the decision to open a coordination office in Pereira in order to coordinate UN system response in the area.

10. WFP will provide 50,000 food rations for the next 15 days (total cost approx. USD 200,000) which will be distributed proportionately among the affected families. 10,000 rations of milk and cookies will be provided to children in the psychological trauma program supported by UNICEF. Resources have been approved for a rehabilitation program under the 'food for work' modality. The work will consist mainly of removal of debris, clearing of roads and landslides. A four-person team will arrive to support this project.

11. UNICEF will support 150 volunteers of the Colombian Movement of Children for Peace, who are working to help affected children cope with trauma. This effort will be complemented with the school materials provided jointly with the Ministry of Education. Portable latrines will be provided, including maintenance services, Survival kits have also been provided to families affected by the tragedy.=

12. FAO has its field team working in the area, who participate in inter-agency efforts in support of community relocation.

13. PAHO/WHO: Five members are in the field carrying out work in support services, epidemiological surveillance and environmental sanitation.

14. Personnel from UNDP projects are supporting various national entities in the disaster area in the technical evaluation of damage to the infrastructure, and in the definition of main points to strengthen local institutions and define areas of work for the formulation of plans and programs for reconstruction.

15. UNDP is coordinating its work with international financial institutions and donor governments, especially in long-term strategies.

16. A World Bank mission will arrive in Bogot=E1 on Monday, 1 February.

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17. OCHA is prepared to serve as a channel for cash contributions for the immediate relief needs detailed above. Funds channelled through OCHA will be spent in coordination with the relevant organizations of the UN system and OCHA will provide written confirmation of their use. Funds should be transferred to OCHA account No. CO-590.160.1 at the UBS AG, PO Box 2770, CH-1211 Geneva 2, with reference: OCHA - Colombia - Earthquake

18. For coordination purposes, donors are requested to inform OCHA Geneva, as indicated blow, of relief missions, pledges or contributions and their corresponding values by item.