* Any views expressed in this article are those of the author and not of Thomson Reuters Foundation.
Amman, 6 November 2016
1. Brief description of the emergency and impact
On 25, 26 and 27 October 2016, heavy rainfall, poorly maintained flood gates and malfunctioning water dispersal systems resulted in the flooding of populated areas in Upper Egypt, primarily in Suhag with 2’600 people affected and the Red Sea Governorates with 3’000 people affected. Impoverished areas with poor infrastructure have been affected the most. As it stands, 26 people have reportedly been killed and 72 injured due to torrential rain and flooding in Upper Egypt. However, Ministry of Health said the death toll could rise as some families did not report deaths before burial. According to Egypt’s official meteorological agency, a drop in temperatures will remain until 5 November. A warning was released about heavy rains across the country's different regions to continue until then. The heavy rains that flooded Egypt’s Red Sea and Suhag governorates cut power supplies and disrupted road traffic on routes linking to cities in Upper Egypt. Schools have been closed in the area.
2. Why is an ACT response needed?
With winter and the cold season approaching, there are now many people who have either lost their homes or lost many of their personal belongings such as clothing, furniture, kitchen supplies, and bedding. These needs are essential as they begin to rebuild their lives and move into the winter season. Despite the governmental aid, there are still many families who are without electricity, housing, and basic living essentials, appropriate medication, and health equipment are needed for the hospital.
3. National and international response
The army has intervened and have begun fixing roads, repairing electric grids, and providing food. The army has also offered 800 temporary homes to those affected by the flood. The Ministry of Social Services will donate EGP10,000 to the people who lost family members, and EGP5,000 to people who lost their homes. Civic Associations have begun distributing boxes of food and blankets to those affected by the flood.
4. ACT Alliance response
Bishopric of Public Ecumenical and Social Services (BLESS) has already dedicated staff to deal with the crisis. Moreover, many volunteers were contacted and some of them are already mobilized to the affected areas. BLESS has begun dialoging with some of its local partners and the Coptic Church abroad has committed to help, so BLESS will coordinate with the Church as its local partner.
5. Planned activities
BLESS is looking to provide 5’250 affected people with essential kitchen supplies and bedding sets.
Location Activities Beneficiaries
Ras Gharib 600 Kitchen Set/parcels/light equipment 600 Households
Ras Gharib Hospital 100 Bed Sheets for Infants 100 Infants
El Hager 100 Kitchen Sets/parcels/ light equipment 300 Households
El Sawaema 10 Kitchen Sets/parcels/ light equipment 10 Households
El Galawaya 120 Kitchen Sets/parcels/ light equipment 120 Households
6. Constraints
Rapid recruitment of volunteers and mobilization of staff, transportation of volunteers to the disaster site, safety of personnel and beneficiaries.
Any funding indication or pledge should be communicated to the Head of Finance and Administration, Line Hempel (Line.Hempel@actalliance.org) and Senior Finance Officer, Lorenzo Correa
(Lorenzo.Correa@actalliance.org).
For further information please contact:
ACT Regional Representative, Gorden Simango (gorden.simango@actalliance.org)
ACT Regional Program Officer, Felomain Nassar (Felomain.nassar@actalliance.org)
ACT website address: http://www.actalliance.org
For contacts in Egypt:
Bishopric of Public Ecumenical and Social Services (BLESS)
Hanan Makram; Mobile: Mob:( 02)01223645077
e-mail: hanan_badie@hotmail.com
