DHAGVA - 95/0577
1. UNDP OFFICE IN
PRETORIA REPORTS THAT HEAVY RAINS CAUSED WIDESPREAD FLOODING IN THE
KAWZULU-NATAL PROVINCE, AFFECTING IN PARTICULAR THE
PIETERMARITZBURG REGION, WHICH HAS BEEN DECLARED
BY THE AUTHORITIES A DISASTER AREA.
2. PRELIMINARY FIGURES INDICATE 147 PEOPLE DEAD AND APPROXIMATELY 2000 AFFECTED.
3. THE GOVERNMENT OF SOUTH AFRICA HAS ANNOUNCED A R1 MILLION (APPROXIMATELY USD 275,000) RELIEF AID PROGRAMME FOR VICTIMS OF THE FLOODS IN PIETERMARITZBURG. THE MINISTRY OF WELFARE AND POPULATION DEVELOPMENT IS COORDINATING THE RELIEF EFFORTS AND WILL BE THE FOCAL POINT FOR INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE. DONOR AGENCIES HAVE BEEN ASKED TO DEPOSIT FUNDS INTO THE FOLLOWING ACCOUNT: MAYOR'S NECESSITY FUND. FIRST NATIONAL BANK, BRANCH NUMBER 220825, ACCOUNT NUMBER 9000029564.
4. A COMMITTEE HAS BEEN FORMED TO COORDINATE RELIEF EFFORTS AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH WILL BE PROVIDING VACCINATIONS AGAINST TETANUS. SOCIAL WORKERS HAVE BEEN MOBILIZED TO PROVIDE COUNSELLING TO VICTIMS OF THE DISASTER. A PROPOSED DISASTER RELIEF FUND WILL ASSIST WITH LONG TERM RELIEF SUPPORT AND WILL COMPENSATE INDIVIDUALS FOR LOSS OF PROPERTY AND PERSONAL BELONGINGS
5. UNDP/DHA RESIDENT REPRESENTATIVE IS FOLLOWING THE SITUATION
6. DHA IS PREPARED TO SERVE AS CHANNEL FOR CASH CONTRIBUTIONS TO BE USED DURING IMMEDIATE RELIEF PHASE. FUNDS ARE SPENT IN COORDINATION WITH RELEVANT ORGANIZATIONS OF U.N. SYSTEM, AND DHA PROVIDES DONOR GOVERNMENTS WITH WRITTEN CONFIRMATION ON UTILIZATION OF FUNDS
7. FUNDS SHOULD BE TRANSFERRED TO DHA ACCOUNT NO. C0-590.160.1 AT SWISS BANK CORPORATION, CASE POSTALE 2770, CH-1211 GENEVA 2, WITH REFERENCE: SOUTH AFRICA FLOODS, DHA-GENEVA.
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DESK OFFICER: CARLOS PEREIRA, DIRECT
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