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EUROPEAN COMMISSION DIRECTORATE-GENERAL HUMANITARIAN AID AND CIVIL PROTECTION - ECHO

MONTHLY REPORT

Monthly report number 2013/05

Month MAY

Country South America (except Colombia for HA)

Date of submission 07/06/13

Author ECHO Quito team

1. SUMMARY / MAIN HIGHLIGHTS

(1) Argentina – Heavy rains and floods: According to an economic report, floods losses related to goods reached more

than 3,400 million pesos (492, 091 million EUR). Volcanic activity- An imminent eruption of Copahue Volcano in Chile, bordering with Argentina, has resulted in the evacuation of 800 persons in the community of Caviahue (Province of Neuquén). Red alert has been issued.

(2) Chile – Volcano activity, heavy rains and floods: Red alert has been issued due to the imminent eruption process of

Copahue Volcano located in the southern Region of Bio Bio. Steam, gas and ash columns have been registered. The volcano activity is high and it is under strict surveillance. A total of 653 persons have been evacuated, from which 504 are fostered in temporary shelters. At least 280 persons are still in need to be evacuated. Heavy rains, floods and extreme weather conditions have caused severe damages in 8 regions of the country (Coquimbo, Valparaíso, Metropolitana, O’Higgins, Maule, Bio Bio, Araucanía, Los Ríos and Los Lagos). At least 5, 2387 persons have been affected.

(3) Ecuador – drought and volcano activity: In the southern province of Loja, the municipalities of Celica, Pindal,

Zapotillo and Macara have been severely affected by water deficit and declared in emergency. The agricultural sector is the most affected, especially corn which is the largest crop. Historic levels indicate that the past rainy season has showed the lowliest precipitation period in the last 30 years, as only half of the rain expected has been registered. Tungurahua volcano: Activity is moderate, but an increase in the level of explosions with an important content of ashes and emission of pyroclastic flows has been registered. The crater continues spewing ashes and gas since its activation on April 27th. Ash fall continues to affect the agricultural sector in the volcano surrounding areas.

(4) Peru – Heavy rains, floods, huaycos, extreme low temperatures, volcanic activity and pneumonia: The government has declared in emergency the departments of Arequipa and Ancash affected by heavy rains, floods and huaycos (landslides). Considerable damages have been registered in terms of housing, health and road infrastructure. Extreme low temperatures have been registered in the highlands (3, 700 m.a.s.l.), where at least 1,022 persons have been affected and 840 hectares of crops have been devastated. Sabancaya Volcano: has increased its seismic activity and is continuously spewing steam, gas and ashes. The eruption process has increased its intensity in the past weeks, steam and gas columns have reached an altitude of 1km. Pneumonia cases: since the beginning of the year at least 12 children under five years have died of pneumonia in the Region of Junín, which has been affected by cold weather in the selva areas and frosts in the highlands. Creation of the Risk Management Secretariat: The SGR, as a part of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, will be the from now on the new Lead Agency for Risk Management System in the country.

(5) Venezuela: Different events in Venezuela (deployment of military forces, creation or armed militias, power struggles in the governing party, food rationing, etc.), have further exacerbated the acute violence, economic and intense polarization problems in the country. It is reported that this situation has a notorious impact on access to food and basic services as primary health, and according to some partners there is an urgent need of emergency medical services in certain slums of Caracas with more than 1.5 Million people.

(6) DRR and resilience programmes – Contracts have been signed and projects have started for HIP DIPECHO Action Plan 2013-2014 and HIP 2013-2014 for building resilience in drought-affected communities in South America.

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Earthquakes

Coldwaves

Floods

Droughts

Landslides

Volcanic eruption

LEGEND

Storms

Fires

Tsunami

Epidemics

Venezuela

Uruguay

Suriname

Peru

Guyana

French Guiana

Ecuador

Colombia

Chile

Brazil

Bolivia

Argentina

Paraguay

Response operation

Response operation monitored

DP operation

DP operation monitored

Venezuela

Uruguay

Suriname

Peru

Guyana

French Guiana

Ecuador

Colombia

Chile

BrazilBolivia

Argentina

Paraguay

Venezuela

Uruguay

Suriname

Peru

Guyana

French Guiana

Ecuador

Colombia

Chile

Brazil

Argentina

Bolivia

Paraguay

EVENTS

• Venezuela: deterioration of socio-political situation raise concerns about violence and access to basic services.

• Ecuador: drought and volcano activity are affecting several provinces of the country.

• Peru: heavy rains, floods, huaycos, and extreme low temperatures have caused damages in several departments. Volcanic activity increased in Sabancaya volcano. Pneumonia cases registered in Junín.

• Chile: Copahue Volcano eruption process in the Region of Bio Bio. Heavy rains and floods cause damages in 8 regions of the country.

• Argentina: Preparedness measures due to the imminent eruption process of Copahue Volcano in the Chilean border.

ECHO MAIN ACTIVITIES • Launching of DRR/resilience programmes 2013-2014 in South America):

o Events and meetings in Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru, Chile and Paraguay.

o Photo exhibition “The EU Humanitarian Aid in South America” in Lima. http://ec.europa.eu/echo/news/2013/20130603_en.htm

o Details about the Programme (Spanish): DIPECHO América del Sur 2013-2014 .

• Visit from RRC Managua and meeting ICRC in Lima to discuss about Other Situations of Violence in South America.

• Presentation of the Basic References for Disaster Risk Management 2013-14 in Ecuador (DRM Country Document funded by ECHO) by the Risk Management and Water Ministers in Guayaquil. http://www.riesgos.gob.ec/sngr-realizo-el-lanzamiento-del-libro-ecuador-referencias-basicas-para-la-gestion-de-riesgos-2013-2014/

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ARGENTINA

1. EVOLUTION OF THE HUMANITARIAN SITUATION

Heavy rains and Flash floods

• According to a report elaborated by the University of La Plata, Economic Science School, regarding the floods registered in April, losses related to goods reached more than 3,400 million pesos (492, 091 million EUR). At least 34, 7% of households were directly affected by the floods (78,631 households), which means that their houses were under water, their vehicles suffered damages and their workplace also suffered damages.

• The average of level of water inside houses was of 48cm, common damages registered are house infrastructure, furniture, and electrical household appliances. This means that 80% of affected households’ infrastructure registered losses for 11,557 pesos (1,672 EUR), 75% registered damages in furniture for an average of 24,780 pesos (3,585 EUR); and 56, 87% had total or partial losses of electrical household appliances for 10,023 pesos (1,450 EUR).

• Meanwhile, 48% of affected households reported losses of clothing and footwear for 4,500 pesos (651,038 EUR), and 44% registered losses of food for an average of 1,438 pesos (208,042 EUR).

• The 21, 17% of affected persons reported losses in their shops/business for an average of 5,127 pesos (741,762 EUR).

• The report concludes that 40% of households informed that their workplace was affected and 26% reported that incurred in health expenses.

Argentina affected by emergency of Chilean Copahue Volcano • The Army is playing an important role as the leader of the Emergency Operations Committee regarding the crisis of the imminent eruption of Copahue Volcano and the evacuation of 800 persons in the community of Caviahue (Province of Neuquén). Red alert has been issued.

• The Army has strengthened the communications, technical and scientific information in the locality of Las Lajas where the EOC has been installed; as well as providing humanitarian assistance to evacuated population.

• Authorities have put into practice lessons learnt from the experience of Puyehue Volcano eruption in 2011 in order to effectively and efficiently respond to the emergency.

2. HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE AND MAIN ISSUES

• ECHO Quito Field Office is closely monitoring the situation in Argentina.

CHILE

1. EVOLUTION OF THE HUMANITARIAN SITUATION

Volcano activity • National authorities have issued red alert due to the imminent eruption process of Copahue Volcano located in the southern Region of Bio Bio. Steam, gas and ash columns have been registered. The volcano activity is high and it is under strict surveillance.

• A total of 653 persons have been evacuated, from which 504 are fostered in temporary shelters. At least 280 persons are still in need to be evacuated, they resist leaving their land and animals. The Municipality of Alto Bio Bio is located 25 km from the volcano.

• The Community Emergency Operations Centre is activated and following the volcano’s behaviour. Heavy rains and floods cause damages in several regions of the country • According to the National Emergency Office (ONEMI), heavy rains, floods and extreme weather conditions have caused severe damages in 8 regions of the country (Coquimbo, Valparaíso, Metropolitana, O’Higgins, Maule, Bio Bio, Araucanía, Los Ríos and Los Lagos).

• At least 5, 2387 persons have been affected, 3,262 houses severely affected and 72 houses inhabitable, electricity was interrupted, more than 28,871 persons were affected by power cuts. A total of 604 persons have been evacuated to temporary shelters.

• National authorities issued yellow alert in the affected regions. • The Metropolitan and O’Higgins regions are the most affected. Only in the Metropolitan region 46 mm of heavy rain fall in few hours.

• International crossing borders were close due to the conditions as well as the port in Valparaíso.

ECHO MAIN ACTIVITIES

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Magnitude 6.8 quake strikes off Chile: An earthquake of 6.8 magnitude in the Richter scale struck off the coast of Chile. Emergency authorities said they saw no prospect that the tremor would generate a tsunami. • According to the Geophysical Institute, the quake struck 640 km west of Puerto Aysén at a depth of 10 km. Chile's emergency office said that the quake did not have the conditions necessary to generate a tsunami. It added the quake was not felt in the country. The USGS located the quake in the Nazca tectonic plate area.

2. HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE AND MAIN ISSUES

• Nothing to report. ECUADOR

1. EVOLUTION OF THE HUMANITARIAN SITUATION Heavy rains in the north and drought in the south of the country

• 21 families have been affected by the rainy season in Mira canton, Carchi province (North of Ecuador). 19 of these families have been fostered in temporary shelters or at relatives’ houses.

• Authorities have declared the emergency state in Mira, and the municipality is considering the relocation of 13 families, reparation of irrigation channels, reconstruction of sewage system, provision of potable water, support to small producers, etc. Also, sanitation projects as well as water treatment plants will be provided, according to media.

• Drought in the southern province of Loja province: Celica canton located in Loja province has been declared in emergency as a consequence of water deficit. This is the second cantonal declaratory after Zapotillo canton, issued on 23rd April.

• According to authorities considerable damages to agriculture and livestock have been registered. Corn, peanut, beans and rice crops have been affected, moreover, water deficit has provoked the migration of livestock to other areas where forage is available.

• According to authorities, the emergency declaration is a mechanism activated to support small farmers which are affected as their subsistence relies on agricultural production for paying their debts. In Loja, Celica, Pindal, Zapotillo and Macara cantons, corn is the largest crop and has been severely affected by water deficit. As per the National Meteorology and Hydrology National Institute (INAMHI), historic levels indicates that the past rainy season has showed the lowliest precipitation period in the last 30 years, as only half of the rain amount expected has been registered. Authorities continue undertaking damage and needs assessments.

• Tungurahua volcano: Tungurahua volcano activity is moderate, but an increase in the level of explosions with an important content of ashes and emission of pyroclastic flows has been registered. The crater continues spewing ashes and gas since its activation on April 27th, and this material has moved to the western area of the volcano. Ash fall has been registered in Chonglotus, El Manzano, Cahuají, Penipe, Mocha, Tisaleo, Quero and Guano communities, as well as in Riobamba city. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the ash fall has been alleviated due to rains registered in the area.

2. HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE AND MAIN ISSUES

• Nothing to report.

PERU

1. EVOLUTION OF THE HUMANITARIAN SITUATION

Heavy rains, floods and landslides

• The government has declared in emergency the departments of Arequipa and Ancash affected by heavy rains, floods and huaycos (landslides). Considerable damages have been registered in terms of housing, health and road infrastructure. Response and rehabilitation actions will be implemented by the regional governments of Arequipa and Ancash, local governments, National Civil Defence Institute, ministries of transport, agriculture, housing, construction and sanitations, as well as other public institutions.

• According the National Civil Defence Institute (Indeci), heavy rains and overflowing of Marankiari and Campo Plata rivers have caused severe damages in the province of Atalaya, Ucayali Department (selva region).

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• Houses, bridges, potable water network and sewage system have been affected in the district of Raymondi. The Municipality is in process of undertaking damages and needs assessments and is providing humanitarian assistance to affected population (25 K of rice and on tin of canned food).

Extreme low temperatures registered in the highlands: According to the National Civil Defence Institute (INDECI), extreme low temperatures have been registered in the highlands (3, 700 m.a.s.l.), where at least 1,022 persons have been affected and 840 hectares of crops have been devastated. It is expected that these numbers might increase during the next months. • Most affected departments are Cusco and Huancavelica, where authorities have distributed 7,165 blankets to affected population.

• According to weather forecasts, minimum low temperatures below average levels might be registered between May and July, and will mainly affect the highlands in the departments of Arequipa, Cusco, Puno, Ayacucho, Moquegua, Tacna, Ayacucho, Huancavelica, Junín, and Lima. Low temperatures may also affect specific areas in the coastal areas of the departments of Lambayeque, Ancash and Lima.

Sabancaya Volcano increased its seismic activity: According to the Volcanology Institute, Sabancaya Volcano has increased its seismic activity and is continuously spewing steam, gas and ashes. The eruption process has increased its intensity in the past weeks, steam and gas columns have reached an altitude of 1km. Authorities have taken preventive measures and the volcano is under strict surveillance. Pneumonia: According to the Regional Health Office, since the beginning of the year at least 12 children under five years have died of pneumonia in the Region of Junín, which has been affected by cold weather in the selva areas and frosts in the highlands. The province of Satipo is the most affected by extreme low temperatures. Regional health authorities are taking measures for reinforcing human resources and for providing health care services. At least 400 health establishments have assisted to an average of 29,000 children under five years with acute respiratory infections.

VRAEM, a low intensity internal conflict that might deteriorate in 2013. Together with Colombia, Peru sees the only officially IHL1 qualified Non-International Conflict in the Americas. The Peruvian VRAEM Region (Valle de los Ríos, Apurimac, Ene y Mantaro), is an area three times the size of Switzerland where the remaining of the Peruvian Communist Party-Shining Path (PCP-SL) group, cocaine producers and smugglers fight the Peruvian Army for the control of the territory. So far in 2013, the VRAEM Region has seen some developments that point to a potential increase of the violence levels: (i) Extension by the government of the state of emergency. (ii) Sharp increase, from $118 million in 2012 to $300 million in 2013, of the government efforts to “implement the offensive” (iii) Increase in the number of military bases (16 additional planed for in 2013) and military combat personnel (there are some 10,000 members of the Armed Forces already in the VRAEM) (iv) increase of the coca crops eradication efforts (set goal is to climb from 14,000 hectares in 2012 to 22,000 in 2013- of an estimated total of some 63,000-) and (v) a very vocal reaction by the PCP-SL against the eradication campaign. As a result of the “intensification” efforts on the part of the Peruvian authorities, Shining Path raids and attacks started to mount both in quantity and spectacularity already in late 2012. The Peruvian government plans to pacify, eradicate coca crops and regain control of the large VRAEM region are in direct collision with the Shining Path, coca growers and smugglers ambitions. It appears that these organized armed groups have managed not only to consolidate their control of the VRAEM region but they would have already been expanding into the Lower Urubamba region in southern VRAEM. So far, and for the foreseeable future, this antagonist approaches have not been translated into high-intensity open confrontation. Yet the

1 International Humanitarian Law.

LimaJunin

Huancavelica Cusco

AyacuchoApurimac

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unexpected, highly visible attacks conducted in recent months by Shining Path/drug cartels elements against government forces and private companies prove their willingness and ability to face the Peruvian government initiative. In this context, and in view of the absence of the Peruvian state which is not in control of large parts of the VRAEM area, DG ECHO has been aware in May by the ICRC on an increase of their concerns and activities in the VRAEM Region. A health evaluation, aiming to measure the indirect consequences of the on-going violence, in terms of access (presumed to be very low) to primary health care services or to preventable measures such as vaccination campaigns or vector control by the local population is on-going.

VENEZUELA Deterioration of socio-political situation

• In May 2013, five different events occurred in Venezuela that further highlight and exacerbate the acute violence, economic and intense polarisation problems the country faces. (1) The deployment of military forces to tackle the country´s rampant violence. (2) The creation of another armed “workers militias” that will supplement the 130,000 strong paramilitary force established by President Chavez in 2005. (3) The open power struggle within the governing party with very strong accusations of widespread corruption and threats of a coup d’état (4) The Introduction of a ration card-like system and official recognition of “grave food shortages” and (5) the escalation of tensions with Colombia following the meeting in Bogota between the Colombian President and the Venezuelan opposition leader, Henrique Capriles.

• Since the arrival of President Chavez to power in 1998 violent death rates have doubled (or tripled, depending on the source) in Venezuela. Caracas is, since 2012 the second most violent city in the word, measured in terms of murder, only after San Pedro Sula in Honduras. Other Venezuelan cities, like Valencia and Maracaibo, that never before made it to the list of the world´s most violent places are now in the ranking. The recent electoral process has further deepened an existing intense socio-political polarisation. In addition, the Venezuelan oil export based economy is currently suffering the consequences of a deficit caused by overspending and inflation.

• Against this context, latest events in Venezuela matter, pointing out to a rapidly deteriorating and worrying situation. (i) Unless the new militias are closely supervised, it is likely that a new wave of armed men in Venezuela’s streets will only contribute to fuelling on-going violence. (ii) Additionally, Venezuela is a key stakeholder in the Colombian peace process and any modification of Venezuela´s standing in support of the process can potentially have negative consequences. (iii) Social discontent caused by increasing basic items shortages, in a situation of highly political polarisation and growing availability of weapons are enabling factors for a further deterioration of the situation.

• From an strict humanitarian angle, and according to recent assessments conducted by a key humanitarian partner in Caracas, there is an urgent need of emergency medical services in large areas of the city (in slums that gather at least 1.5 million people) where no public pre-hospital services work mainly due to the lack of access of health personnel. In return, this leads to the strain of secondary and tertiary level structures that are functionally overwhelmed by the provision of emergency treatment to violence victims (only in Caracas in 2012, 10,500 were severely injured). As for the indirect consequences of the on-going violence, a deep impact on access to primary health care or to preventable measures such as vaccination campaigns or vector control has been as well recently documented, including a significant decrease on under one year of age vaccination coverage, a 35% decrease in vaccination doses used comparing 2005 and 2010 campaign and an anomalous increase of dengue outbreaks in most violent slums.

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ONGOING OPERATIONS REGIONAL EMERGENCY HIP 2012 • Regional Humanitarian Implementation plan (HIP) of €5 million with 12 months duration to assist people affected by severe flooding in South America, particularly in Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Ecuador, Colombia and Brazil. Projects ongoing: � Ecuador: COOPI, AVCF, Spanish Red Cross and Plan International (€1.290.020). � Peru: CESVI, German Red Cross, Spanish Red Cross, WHH, and COOPI (€ 2.451.077). � Bolivia: FAO and COOPI (€ 580.600). � Paraguay: COOPI and Spanish Red Cross (€ 678.303)

DRR/Resilience Programmes 2013-2014

• DRR/ Resilience Projects started in May: Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil, Chile and Argentina.

Regional Humanitarian response and main issues

14.5 MEUR26 projects en 18 contracts55 partners, 9 consortia4 regional projects

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Regional rainfall forecast

Argentina: More probabilities of precipitation above normal levels in the northern and southwest regions. Probabilities of precipitation below normal levels in other parts of the country. Uruguay: More probabilities of precipitation above normal levels in most of the country. Paraguay: More probabilities of precipitations near normal levels in most of the country.

May - July 2013

Venezuela: More probabilities of precipitation near normal levels in most of the country. Colombia: More probabilities of precipitation above normal levels in the Andean region; while in the Caribbean region precipitation below normal levels is expected.

Ecuador: More probabilities of precipitations below normal levels in most of the country. Peru: More probabilities of precipitation near normal levels in most of the country. Bolivia: More probabilities of precipitation near normal levels in most of the country. Chile: More probabilities of precipitations above normal levels in the Austral region. In the southern region precipitations near normal levels. In the northern and central southern regions precipitation below normal levels.

Sources: (CIIFEN), International research centre on el Niño