UN DISASTER ASSESSMENT TEAM ARRIVES IN FLOOD-HIT COLOMBIA

29 December - A three-member United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination team (UNDAC) has arrived in Colombia to support the ongoing response to the floods, which are affecting over 2 million people.

Heavy rainfall associated with the La Niña weather phenomenon has affected Colombia since the middle of this year, causing floods in the Andes region and the Caribbean coastal area, according to the UN Office for the Coordination for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

UN agencies and partner non-governmental organisations have already been assisting those affected in some of the worst-hit areas. Among the most immediate needs are food assistance, water and sanitation, shelters, emergency education and health services.

Earlier this month $6 million was allocated for the post-flood effort from the local UN emergency response fund.

The UNDAC team that arrived in the country yesterday will assist in information management tasks and strengthening of humanitarian partners, both national and international, OCHA stated.

It is initially expected to stay in the country for three weeks but this period could be extended.