12 May 2003 - Task Force meeting on the floods, the following

updates were made. Current situation of victims of floods remains grim as

no assistance has reached them so far 2 weeks after event.

1) ICRC plane carrying relief items including blankets, tarpaulins, cooking

utensils and food will arrive today from Nairobi. Quantity will be provided

once items are received in Gode. One plane from UNICEF/DPPB arrived this

morning carrying relief items. More flights are expected within next couple

of days. ICRC has expressed some apprehension on capacity of local

transporters to handle coming relief on time.

2) Team comprising ICRC, Oxfam, DPPB/D and health dept to go to Kalafo,

Mustahil and Imi today to do further assessment on number of people

affected and where, and accessibility. OWDA (Ogaden Welfare & Development

Association) managed to reach Mustahil yesterday 11/5/03 by road. Thus

northern bank of Shabele river road now open for relief trucks.

3) 7 more deaths (4 from floods & 3 eaten by crocodiles) reported from

Mustahil by OWDA team. These deaths took place over last 3 days and are

first reported from Mustahil woreda. 11 kabales in Mustahil still remain

inaccessible.

4) First shipment of relief comprising 2 trucks carrying blankets,

biscuits, plastic sheeting and 2 boats leaving Gode today 12/5/03 for
Kalafo for distribution to flood victims.