Published: 5 November 2004
As communities along Colombia’s Atlantic coast struggle to recover from serious flooding and landslides that have left at least 11 people dead since October, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies today launched an appeal for 950,000 Swiss francs (US$ 796,300/ EUR 621,645) to support the Colombian Red Cross as it assists some of the 95,000 people directly affected.
Twenty-one of Colombia’s 32 departments have been affected by the torrential rains, which have destroyed houses, crops and roads. The Colombian Red Cross responded immediately to the disaster, mobilising dozens of volunteers who participated in search and rescue operations, provided first aid and distributed humanitarian aid such as food and water.
The Colombian Red Cross is also managing two shelters in Cordoba department. The funds sought by the International Federation will provide humanitarian assistance to 20,000 people for the next six months.
“Although the level of destruction is serious, we have witnessed during this emergency the benefits of disaster preparedness projects. In those areas where the Colombian Red Cross has implemented such programmes, the response was faster, and consequently the impact on the population was reduced,” said Walter Cotte, National Operations and Relief Coordinator of the Colombian Red Cross.
The International Federation, which had already released 100,000 Swiss francs from its Disaster Relief Emergency Fund, is coordinating its work closely with the International Committee of the Red Cross and other national Red Cross societies operating in the country.
The Colombian National Institute of Water, Meteorology and Environmental Studies warns that the situation is likely to worsen, with rainfall expected to continue with the same intensity throughout November and December.