Ref: OCHA/GVA - 2001/0158
OCHA Situation Report No. 4
Poland - Floods
3 August 2001
I. Situation
1. Flood levels receded significantly on Friday 3 August, along the Vistula river. Flood waters in areas in south-eastern Poland are now below emergency levels. In most of the areas of the country the flood situation is improving. However, intensive rains and storms are expected to come from west and east of Poland on the evening of August 3 and continue until the evening of August 5. Due to expected storms and heavy rains there is a possibility of a sudden rise of the water level, especially in small streams. The situation is being monitored closely.
2. As it was reported, there have been 27 casualties, including 12 people who drowned in flash floods. About 15,000 people have been evacuated from flooded areas, mainly in the south east of the country.
II. National response
3. About 5,500 people have participated in recent rescue activities including 4,300 firemen, 753 soldiers, 440 policemen, as well as 6 companies of the Central Operation Reserve of the National Fire Brigade.
4. Mopping up operations are underway following the flooding in southern part of the country. In the eastern areas of Poland people are not expected to return to their homes for another week.
III. Country level International response
5. To date, a number of foreign embassies have provided limited financial support in response to the disaster.
IV. Requirements for International Assistance
6. Considering the progressive improvement of the situation, the Government has indicated that international relief assistance is no longer required. However, assistance for the purposes of rehabilitation and reconstruction is welcomed.
V. Channels for Delivery of International Aid:
7. Donors who wish to contribute may do so via the Government, Red Cross, or non-governmental organizations.
VI. International Response - Pledges and Contributions:
8. The response to the flood disaster is coordinated by the Chancellery of the Prime Minister. The United Nations Resident Coordinator is following the situation closely in coordination with the Government and International Community.
| Donor | Description | Value USD | Channel |
| OCHA | Local purchase of vaccination kits for hepatitis | 25,000 | OCHA |
| EU | Flood damage reconstruction programme | 12,755,102 | EU |
| Germany | Purification of drinking water, electricity supply for flooded areas, procurement of 100,000 sandbags in the region of Sandormierz, Kielce | 134,401 | Technisches Hilfswerk (THW/Germany) |
| Germany | Procurement of blankets, sleeping bags, rubber boots and disinfectants for flood victims in Southern Poland | 37,338 | German Red Cross (DRK) |
| Netherlands | 99,355 | ||
| IFRC's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) | To start and facilitate the relief activities | 29,070 | Local Polish Red Cross Society |
| Total | 13,080,266 | ||
10. OCHA is in close contact with the UN RC’s Office in Warsaw and will revert with further information on contributions, as soon as it becomes available.
11. This situation report, together with further information on ongoing emergencies, is also available on the OCHA Internet Website at http://www.reliefweb.int
Telephone: +41-22-917 12 34
Fax: +41-22-917 00 23
E-mail: ochagva@un.org
In case of emergency only: Tel. +41-22-917 20 10
Desk Officers:
Ms. Merete Johansson / Mr. Anvar Munavvarov
Direct Tel. +41-22-917 1694
Press contact:
(GVA) - Ms. M. Moulin-Acevedo, direct Tel. +41-22-917 31 60
(N.Y.) - Ms. Phyllis Lee, direct Tel. +1-212-963 48 32