Document ActionsDRN and DRN-Mexico Respond To Tabasco and Chipas FloodsNovember 15th Situation Update: Tabasco and Chiapas Heavy rainfalls on October 28th, 2007 lasted for a week, leading to devastating floods in the Mexican states of Tabasco and Chiapas. In Tabasco, some one million people (approximately half of the total population) remain affected. In the first days, 80% of Tabasco was submerged in flood waters. The capital city of Villahermosa, population of 600,000 was among the hardest hit. Homes affected by the flooding Mexico’s National Office of Civil Protection immediately responded with the deployment of 8,000 soldiers, 3,000 navy personnel and over 2,000 policemen working in affected areas. Since October 28th, helicopters have been performing 4 to 5 relief missions per day distributing supplies and performing sporadic rescue operations. Watch video Watch video (Spanish) See larger view The water level continues to recede with pumps being employed in a 24/7 effort. According to the state governing body in Tabasco, an estimated 8 million cubic meters must be drained. 57 pumping stations are draining water at a rate of 12.6 cubic meters per second. Estimates are that it will take another 4 to 5 days to drain Villahermosa’s center. See larger view While emergency humanitarian needs are being well managed by government authorities at all levels, outside assistance will clearly be required during the recovery and reconstruction phases of the disaster. Immediate concerns revolve around the restoration of livelihoods (agricultural and small business), housing and water-sanitation. Based on recent accounts, airlift capacity within the affected regions is sufficient. While, normal supply chains have been restored in 95% of Tabasco, some prominent US-based relief organizations working in partnership with in-country response groups, report difficulty accessing transportation resources for the delivery of medical supplies and pharmaceuticals, shelter provisions, educational materials and other items that will be needed for another couple of months. While emergency communications systems were interrupted in the first two days following the floods, most have now been re-established according to Telecom Sans Frontières and local officials. Detailed assessments of civil infrastructure damage are on hold until water levels recede further. Preliminary projections suggest the following:
*School supplies and educational material are badly needed in the short-term. The Mexican Association of Insurance Institutions (AMIS in Spanish) estimated the damage around USD700 million just in Tabasco, and almost 20% of houses are insured. The Tabasco Authorities estimate the total cost of the damage in USD5billion. On November 14th, 2007, Mexico’s Office of Civil Protection declared an end to the search and rescue phase of operations and will now focus on recovery and reconstruction. DRN and DRN-Mexico Response EffortsDRN Global and its country affiliate, DRN-Mexico are working with Emergency Engineering-Construction Team corporate partners ICA, Marhnos, Siemens and , member companies of the World Economic Forum, government authorities and prominent in-country relief organizations to deliver assistance to those whose lives and livelihoods have been so disrupted by the floods. DRN-Mexico is leads the business contingent of Unidos Por Ellos (a consortium of representatives from industry, government and civil society institutions) in a collaborative effort to address unmet needs. Activities are coordinated through weekly meetings of all stakeholders.On November 8th, representatives from DRN-Mexico and DRN Global’s Associate Director visited the flood ravaged city of Villahermosa in the company of government officials. First impressions of the damage were confirmed by numerous conversations with rescue workers and military officials in charge of emergency relief activities on the ground. As recovery and reconstruction efforts get underway, immedi-ate needs exist in the following areas:
For companies interested in supporting a specific recovery or reconstruction project or partnering with a local institution, we would be pleased to facilitate this for you. All response activities carried out by the Disaster Resource Network's adhere to the Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Disaster Relief. The Disaster Resource Network is committed to the Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response in delivering assistance to the most vulnerable. http://www.sphereproject.org/handbook/index.htm Those wishing to support recovery and reconstruction operations in Tabasco and Chiapas, please direct your contribution as noted below:
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