Emergency Plan of Action (EPoA) Argentina: Floods

Emergency Plan of Action (EPoA)
Argentina: Floods
Emergency Appeal no. MDRAR010
Date of issue: 22 January 2016
Operation manager (responsible for this EPoA): Pabel
Angeles, IFRC regional disaster management coordinator
for South America
Operation start date: 8 January 2015
Glide no. FL-2016-000003-ARG
Date of disaster: 22 December 2015
Point of contact in the National Society: Cristian
D. Bolado; national director of emergency and
disaster response – Argentine Red Cross
Expected timeframe: 12 months
Operation end date: 8 January 2017
Overall operation budget: 1,006,132 Swiss francs
Number of people affected: 50,930 people
Number of people to be assisted: : 23,000 people
(4,600 families)
Presence of Host National Societies (no. de volunteers, staff, branches): Argentine Red Cross has 65
branches, 6,395 volunteers, and 1,845 staff members
Red Cross Red Crescent Movement partners actively involved in the operation: International Federation of
Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)
A. Situation analysis
Description of the disaster
Since December 2015, the country
has been affected by El Niño
phenomenon. Updated forecasts by
the Climate and Society International
Research Institute for January March 2016 predict further rains at
higher-than-normal levels in areas
already affected by flooding. Coastal
areas
have
been
highly
compromised by heavy rains that
have ravaged the area, causing an
increase in the levels of the Paraná,
Paraguay and Uruguay Rivers and
damage
to
the
surrounding
provinces of Formosa, Chaco, Santa
Fe,
Entre
Ríos,
Corrientes,
Tucumán,
Misiones,
Córdoba,
Buenos Aires, Salta, Mendoza, San
Luis and San Juan. As a result,
cities and ports’ authorities have
issued
alerts
and
ordered
evacuations.
Photo 1. Aerial photograph of Santa Fe by ARC drone (Paraná River). Source:
Argentina Red Cross
The ARC reports 50,930 affected people (10,186 families) in 14 provinces across the country. Reports indicate that on
26 December 2015, at the peak of the flooding, nearly 15,000 people were evacuated in the most affected provinces.
Coastal provinces declared a state of water, road, health, and social emergency in order to achieve timely access to
benefits for these types of national disasters. A DREF operation was launched on 11 January 2016 for 199,829 Swiss
francs to provide immediate support to ARC assessment and response efforts. In view of the short-term El Niño
forecasts, high water levels, the increased number of affected people and existing humanitarian needs, the ARC aims
to expand the scope of its response operation and achieve greater coverage. Thus, this emergency appeal is being
launched to enable the IFRC and member National Societies to support ARC in providing immediate relief and early
recovery in affected areas.
Page | 2
Variation in Paraná, Uruguay and Paraguay River levels, with respect to evacuation levels, has changed throughout
the season, with current levels at:
Source: Argentine Navy
Authorities continue monitoring the Paraná River:
Figure 2. Source: CIMA, from information provided by the Argentine Navy.
Currently, the Uruguay and Paraguay Rivers’ water levels are higher than normal, but have not increased in volume,
while the Paraná River is rising and threatening surrounding villages and cities in other areas. Graphs from the Ocean
and Atmosphere Research Centre (CIMA) indicate the river mouths in ports that have levels above evacuation limits
(red dots):
Page | 3
Photo: experimental image prepared by CIMA from information provided by the Argentine Navy.
According to the current situation in the country, the information obtained from the ARC's National Operations Centre
reports that more than 50,000 people are affected.
Source: Argentine Red Cross (7/01/2016)
The ARC considers this emergency situation a nationwide red alert (highest national alert level) situation, focusing
assessment team efforts in Formosa, Santa Fe, Entre Ríos and Corrientes, the four most affected provinces out of the
14 affected provinces in Argentina. In these four provinces, the total number of affected people is 32,933 based on the
latest ARC data. Rapid assessments results conducted by NITs indicate the following:
PROVINCE
ENTRE RIOS
AFFECTED
(people)
13,773
Page | 4
SANTA FE
FORMOSA
CORRIENTES
TOTAL
3,330
8,630
7,200
32,933
PROVINCE OF ENTRE RÍOS: The heavy rains and storms that have ravaged Argentine coastal areas have caused
the Uruguay and Paraná Rivers,- which cross Entre Ríos and where evacuation levels were exceeded by four metres
in the port of Concordia, the most affected city, to overflow into surrounding cities, affecting more than 13,000 people.
The Uruguay River reached maximum levels, flooding and affecting areas in Concordia. The Paraná River is also
currently overflowing its banks as well. The municipality of Concordia declared a municipal emergency on 22
December, while the Province of Entre Ríos did the same on the 23rd.
The ARC Emergency Operations Centre (COE) at the Concordia branch and field assessments conducted on 11
January report a total of 36 evacuation centres set up in the city in warehouses, clubs, schools, and military facilities.
These are currently housing 1,950 people, of whom 1,000 are minors. Authorities report more than 9,000 selfevacuees are living near river areas and near their neighbourhoods or homes.
Average Uruguay River levels have been rising at above normal rates for the entire month, putting 20,000 families at
risk mainly due to their proximity to rivers and the significant damage this may cause to their livelihoods (mainly
livestock production, agriculture and fishing). In total, floods affected 9 out of 17 municipalities in Entre Ríos province.
The following table lists the number of people affected by city:
CITY
Concordia
Concepción del Uruguay
San José
Colón
Paraná
Hernandarias
Gualeguaychú
La Paz
Victoria
TOTAL
AFFECTED
(people)
10,812
1,125
696
750
75
5
10
200
100
13.773
SANTA FE: Northern areas of this province have been experiencing heavy rains since 24 December, further
increasing Parana River water levels. The river is currently at above-normal levels but stable, while the Salado River
has had no changes. The latest readings from the Santa Fe port's prefecture put levels at 6.54/56 metres, causing 755
people to evacuate. At Santo Tomé, the El Salado River has reached 6.55 metres, causing 3,330 people to evacuate
across the province.
CITY
AFFECTED
(people)
Las Toscas
155
Puerto Reconquista
190
San Javier
120
Helvecia
10
Santa Rosa
390
Arroyo Reyes
1,250
Rincón
30
Santa Fe Capital
1,135
Santo Tome
20
Monte Bea
30
TOTAL
3,330
FORMOSA: Increased flows from the Paraguay River have caused significant flooding to riverside sectors, especially
to the city of Clorinda (with more than 3,500 evacuees). At the same time, the Municipal Government is hosting selfevacuees from the city of Alberdi (Paraguay) due to flooding in that area. Much of the defences set up by the
Government are at risk of collapsing; there are constant power outages and temperatures in this area feel like 45°C.
Page | 5
CITY
AFFECTED
(people)
6000
2500
130
8,630
Clorinda
Formosa
Herradura
TOTAL
CORRIENTES: On 4 January, some 137.4 mm of rain fell on the province of Corrientes, causing mud to accumulate,
blocked streets, suspended public services, and blocked ditches. On 7 January, an alert was declared for suspected
cases of dengue fever, which was extended to include cases of chikungunya and Zika virus. The province continues to
deploy its contingency plan and provide assistance to those affected by the advancing Paraná River. Goya is one of
the hardest-hit cities in the province of Corrientes, where levels have reached the 6.16-metre mark in the port of Goya.
This is the most affected city, with 800 people evacuees and 2,600 self-evacuees.
CITY
AFFECTED
(people)
Capital
Barrio Caridi
375
150
Barrio Galvan
90
Sol de Mayo
75
Barrio Irupe
10
Barrio San Jorge
50
Barrio la Olla
Goya
Santa Lucia Inmediaciones (Cruz de los Milagros, Algarrobo y San José)
500
3,654
175
Isla Guaycurú
125
Esquina
Los Ceibos y Colonia Escalada
150
350
Santa Ana
150
Paso de la Patria
100
Paso de los Libres
120
Perugorria
Bella Vista
317
809
TOTAL
7,200
The present situation continues to worsen in other provinces and towns, and several branches are requesting
National Society support; therefore, assessment missions to different parts of the country continue to be a priority
while coordinating efforts to provide the best response possible based on humanitarian gaps.
Summary of Current Response
Overview of Host National Society
The ARC’s headquarters is located in the city of Buenos Aires, and it has 7,847 volunteers distributed across 65
branches, including headquarters itself. In cases of emergency, the nearest branch conducts the first intervention,
but the ARC headquarters and nearby branches will provide support if the local response capacity is exceeded.
Over 200 volunteers from the branches involved in this emergency are from: Concordia, Concepción del Uruguay,
Clorinda, Chaco, Corrientes, Santa Fé, Paraná, Gualeguaychú, San Pedro, La Plata, Saavedra, Villa Crespo, Santos
Lugares, San Juan, Quilmes, Vicente López, Luján, Zárate, Tandil, Mar Del Plata, Villa Dominica, Campana,
Chacabuco, Córdoba, as well as headquarters technicians in these actions:
Page | 6
-
Participation in local COEs
Monitoring
Emergency assessments
Evacuations
Distribution of Humanitarian Aid
Support in evacuation centres
Psychosocial Support
First Aid
Health Promotion
On 23 December, the ARC declared a nationwide Red Alert as per the National Response Plan, and from that
moment, Headquarters and the Territorial Network began coordinating their actions. On that same day, the NS
National Directorate for Emergency and Disaster Response declared a Yellow Alert for branches close to the
affected provinces in order to support compromised branches, as per National Emergency and Disaster Response
Plans. The National Intervention Teams (NIT), National First Aid Team, Risk Management Teams, and Information
and Technology team were alerted. The National Operations Centre was formed in the La Plata branch and seven
NIT members were mobilized to the branch in Concordia.
Assessment teams were deployed to branches in Concepción del Uruguay and Clorinda, while local branches
reported from Santa Fe, Corrientes and Formosa. NIT teams are under a pre-mobilisation alert and are expected to
be deployed or start their rotation within the coming weeks. On 15 January 15 volunteers and technicians will be
mobilized to support communities to return to and clean their homes.
In an effort to strengthen relations at provincial and municipal levels, the ARC President has held several
coordination meetings with mayors and province governors from Entre Ríos, Santa Fe, Corrientes and Formosa to
set up coordinated efforts and to offer support to government strategies.
On the other hand, the updating of coordination mechanisms with the recently structured Civil Protection and
Comprehensive Response to Emergencies and Catastrophes Secretariat (Ministry of Security) has progressed,
taking into account the changes in authorities and organising following the change in Administrations.
The government has not formerly established a COE at the national or province level. At present, an Emergency
Cabinet was constituted within the framework of the Federal Emergency System (SIFEM), and the White Helmets
Commission (Argentine Chancellery) is providing periodic reports shared on the RedHum platform. Thus, informationmanagement and coordination of humanitarian assistance with other actors and agencies in the field is a challenge.
The ARC is working in each municipality to coordinate its activities through local government authorities.
Overview of Red Cross Red Crescent Movement in country
In Argentina, the IFRC country coordinator for Argentina and Uruguay, who is based at the ARC’s headquarters in
Buenos Aires, represents the IFRC in country. The IFRC maintains communication with the National Society through
the country coordinator and the Pan-American Disaster Response Unit (PADRU). An IFRC's emergency shelter
officer travelled to the country to support assessment efforts in Entre Rios, Corrientes, Santa Fe and Formosa and
develop the Emergency Appeal.
Movement Coordination Mechanisms exists in the country and a Tripartite Agreement was signed between the
National Society, IFRC and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in order to maximise the
Movement's overall capacity to fulfil its humanitarian mission and strengthen ARC’s capacity.
The ICRC also has in-country presence and works with authorities on the integration, implementation and
dissemination of International Humanitarian Law and international standards on the use of force as per its mandate.
In addition, the ICRC also develops actions to build ARC’s capacity in order prepare it to tackle emergency situations
in violent contexts and crises and to provide Restoring Family Links (RFL) services.
Overview of non-RCRC actors in country
In early December 2015, Argentina underwent a change in national and provincial governments. This situation
brought about different coordination mechanisms between the various governmental actors engaged in emergency
response. After several weeks of activity, there has been noticeable progress in terms of inter-agency coordination.
This is reflected, for example, in the restructuring of SIFEM and of GADE, its operational-political branch headed by
the Ministry of Security and which includes officials from the Ministries of Public Finance, the Interior, Public Works
and Housing, the Environment and Sustainable Development, Social Development, Defence, Foreign Affairs, and
Page | 7
Cabinet leadership. In these cases, the operating branch is the Secretariat (formerly the Under-secretariat) of Civil
Protection and Comprehensive Emergency and Catastrophe Response.
The nation's president has toured the affected areas and met with several governors. Additionally, various agencies
are working in the field, such as the army, assorted ministries and secretariats, local and provincial Civil Defence,
Security Secretariat, different health agencies; a number of different non-governmental organisations (NGOs),
especially the volunteer fire departments, and various foundations have also provided support.
The national government dealt with organising the aid for evacuees, and to this end, it remains in permanent contact
with various provincial social development ministries. Likewise, the Ministry of Agroindustry, through its National
Directorate for Agricultural Emergencies and Disasters, issued recommendations to producers in the affected areas.
In the affected provinces, the Ministry of Social Development is providing support to people who have lost their main
livelihoods (agriculture, livestock production and fishing) through social subsidies and tax extension programmes. On
the other hand, each municipality, through their declarations, uses home repair and reconstruction vouchers through
their Ministry of Public Works departments and/or areas.
Two organisations are providing support. In Entre Ríos, ADRA is distributing home cleaning kits and offering laundry
services with their trailer, while Caritas Argentina is providing food in Santa Fe.
Needs analysis, beneficiary selection, risk assessment and scenario planning
Beneficiary selection
The ARC is currently conducting a major response operation in northern and coastal Argentina, focusing its efforts in
Entre Rios (Concordia, Concepción del Uruguay, Paraná and Colón), Formosa (Clorinda), Santa Fe (capital city of
Santa Fe), and Corrientes (capital city, Goya and Perugorriase ), because of the magnitude of the event and the
number of people affected. Assessment efforts are being carried out in other parts of the country, as are some initial
actions.
The ARC is part of Concordia's Crisis Committee since the signing of an Emergency Municipal Decree on 25
December. Since then, the National Society has been working jointly with national, provincial and municipal authorities
to respond. This committee requested the ARC to support a northern sector of the city, and it is currently there
conducting various PSS efforts and assessments. ARC subsequently committed to - in coordination with other social
organisations, to work in the neighbourhoods of Velez Sarsfield and General Belgrano in Concordia. This is where the
actions of this plan will take place. Field assessments will continue and teams will remain ready and prepared to carry
out other potential tasks in the Concordia communities. Later on 27 December, the ARC committed to work on PSS
activities ("Returning Home" methodology) in the Concepción del Uruguay's six collective centres after meetings with
the city’s mayor.
Beneficiary selection criteria:
• Priority will be given to urban and semi-urban areas most affected by floods
• People with the highest level of vulnerability, including women heads of households, elderly, children and
persons living with disabilities
• Damage to homes depending on water levels
• Damage to the livelihoods access
• Families left incommunicado and who lack means of transportation
The DREF launched on 8 January 2016 targeted the cities of Concordia and Concepcion del Uruguay. Now, through
this Emergency Appeal, the city of Colon, in Entre Ríos, will be included as target area, as its provincial government
has requested ARC to conduct concrete actions in the city.
Since the geographical location of the province of Santa Fe makes it one of the most vulnerable, humanitarian aid
needs to be centred on providing support to people living along roads and pathways. In a meeting held with the
province government, the ARC has been asked to advise on early recovery. The province of Corrientes is
experiencing a humanitarian gap because of the lack of information and coordination, and the Perugorria municipal
government has requested water and sanitation assistance for flood-affected families.
Target population of the operation
The National Society will prioritize support to: a) the evacuee families in collective centres so they can return to their
homes as soon as the waters starting receding; and b) the most vulnerable families who have self-evacuated. See
table below for a breakdown of target beneficiaries per area.
Page | 8
Province
Municipality
Concordia
Entre Ríos
Formosa
Corrientes
Santa Fe
Concepción
del Uruguay
Colon
Clorinda
Perrugoria
Corrientes
Bella Vista
Goya
Santa Fe
Arroyo Reyes
Santa Rosa
TOTAL
No. of
Families
2,000
Total no. of
people
10,000
225
1,125
175
1,200
63
75
50
212
300
200
100
4,600
875
6,000
317
375
250
1060
1500
1000
500
23,002
Risk Assessment
An assessment has been conducted regarding the main
needs in Entre Ríos (Concordia, Concepción del
Uruguay, Paraná and Colón), Formosa (Clorinda), Santa
Fe (capital city of Santa Fe) and Corrientes (capital city,
Goya y Perugorria). The main needs are focused on
evacuating people to evacuation centres, host families
(self-evacuees), non-flooded areas within their homes
(roofed or second stories), and camps near their homes.
Most of these actions have already been implemented,
but rising rivers keep teams on alert in case their
assistance is required.
Information management at the national level continues
to be an immediate need; therefore, the ARC continues
to work from its national COE in La Plata; however, there
is virtually no accurate information about the developing
situation in the country and the impact is increasing in
various provinces.
10-01-2016 – Assessment mission in the city of Concepción del
Uruguay. Source ARC
Targeted efforts were begun in the municipalities of Concordia and Concepción de Uruguay in Entre Rios since the
beginning of the operation as it has been the most affected province in the country so far. Both met and unmet
immediate needs in the area have been identified and are listed below by sector. Furthermore, considering the
situation and the local and provincial response capacity, the NS deploy emergency assessment teams to Formosa
and Santa Fe in order to evaluate the current situation and support ARC branches.
Water and Sanitation
Formosa: Currently access to safe water in affected areas cannot be ensured. The municipality provides daily
tanker trucks for water delivery; however, this is not drinking water, and it is used exclusively for cleaning tasks. The
water is deposited in plastic containers used by evacuated and self-evacuated families, but the province, especially
Clorinda, has been experiencing problems with their water systems that have left some central areas without water
network service, which could affect water supply to affected areas in the short or medium term. The water delivered
to families daily is not used for drinking, food preparation or personal hygiene, which makes it essential to provide
training on the proper handling of water for consumption, as well as its optimization and hygiene.
River water levels have shown a slight decline in recent days, which has left tons of trash floating around emergency
housing and the river's banks, necessitating immediate sanitation and adoption of safe behaviours and good
practices related to environmental sanitation in neighbourhoods where emergency housing is located.
Entre Ríos: River levels have been declining slightly, which has allowed some families to return to their homes. It is
important to stress that safe water for drinking cannot be ensured in riverside areas in the cities of Colón, Concordia
and Concepción del Uruguay. In some cases, tap water is being used for drinking purposes, but the government has
Page | 9
recommended not doing so as there is no information regarding its safety. In evacuation centres, the consumption of
safe water is ensured through bottled mineral water, which does not happen in communities near the Uruguay River.
Therefore, it is necessary to begin work related to access to safe water and drinking water in affected areas where
families are beginning to return to their homes.
As for sanitation, cleaning their homes is the main concern for families. The municipal government has delivered
various cleaning supplies, but families do not know how to use them correctly, and, in the case of persons with
disabilities, advanced age or with limited mobility, cleaning their homes becomes an impossible task.
Santa Fé: No humanitarian gaps have been identified in terms of water and sanitation, although assessment of
affected areas continues. At present, the municipal government is covering this sector and providing water for both
consumption and for personal hygiene.
Corrientes: Most water networks in affected areas have not been compromised, except in the community of
Perugorría, where water safety cannot be ensured and therefore not recommended for consumption. People in the
collective centres are currently receiving bottled water, but the government’s objective, which is shared by the he
Red Cross, is ensuring access to safe water for at least 3 weeks after these families have returned to their homes; in
an effort to ensure this, they are in the process of acquiring and installing new pumps, but it will take at least that
period of time for these to be implemented.
Health
Formosa: A total of 49 cases of dengue have been confirmed
in Clorinda, in addition to the large number of sickened people
within the city that contracted the disease elsewhere. This is a
major concern for the community and the State, and while
fumigation and awareness campaigns are underway, it is
necessary to expand efforts to control the situation.
Some residents in affected communities have suffered minor
injuries, but are usually assisted by the neighbours
themselves. It is important to have first aid teams touring the
area on a daily basis, at least for the next few days. Likewise,
community first-aid workshops will take into account the
organizational culture of the communities.
First aid post in the district of Velez Sardfield in
Concordia. Photo: ARC
Psychosocial support to families will be one of the tasks highlighted in Clorinda, mainly because of the time that
communities will remain housed in temporary centres or in improvised shelters.
Entre Ríos: One of the priority needs has been first aid care in view of the minor injuries sustained during evacuation
and the setting up of shelters. People who come to hospitals for these types of injuries prevent other people with
more serious conditions from getting medical care. Two first aid posts were set up in the most affected
neighbourhoods in Concordia, in addition to regular visits made to evacuation centres to provide minor first aid care.
Various brigades of volunteers have toured evacuation centres and affected areas to provide first aid in Concordia
and Concepcion del Uruguay, supporting the local health system and working jointly with it and with the Ministry of
Health's Emergency Directorate. More than 383 treatments were provided during the first days of the operation
(wounds, blood pressure controls, check-ups, etc.). Periodic tours continue in evacuation centres and in areas where
communities are returning to their homes.
Work has begun around Community Emergency Health because of the emergence of insects, rodents and snakes.
Considering that this is summer, it becomes essential to engage in actions dealing with Dengue, Zika virus and
chikungunya. So far, there are no official reports of local cases, but the government still would like to address issues
associated with the emergence of outbreaks. Two cases of leptospirosis have been reported in the province.
Psychosocial support is crosscutting support for all activities developed both internally (to own Red Cross volunteers)
and to community members, who in many cases have lost all their belongings. More than 665 psychosocial support
assistances were delivered in Concordia and Concepcion del Uruguay to the community, and more than 150
volunteers have received psychosocial support and follow-up under the "Caring for the Carer” campaign. These
activities will be conducted throughout the entire operation.
Page | 10
Santa Fé: The need for first aid kits has been identified in affected communities and temporary shelters. More than 15
basic first aid kits have been delivered to communities, and various volunteer teams tour the emergency areas
conducting community health tasks and providing first aid care and treatments, having done so on more than 100
occasions so far.
There are no current cases of emerging diseases, but prevention work will be conducted anyway because of the
number of confirmed cases of dengue fever in other provinces in the country. Psychosocial support efforts continue
with families who remain evacuated (at least for the next month), which are part of the actions that will be conducted
during the next few weeks, as it is an immediate need and not being covered by other organisations.
Corrientes: Humanitarian gaps in terms of psychosocial support have been identified in this province, as well as the
immediate need to work on health promotion and prevention of emerging diseases, focusing on dengue-related
actions and taking into account the risk and the cases confirmed in nearby provinces.
Shelter
The shelter situation in Formosa, Santa Fé and Corrientes is
the same. Floodwaters in many cases have risen 1.50 metres
above home levels, sometimes higher, causing total loss of
furniture and appliances and damage to roofs and floors. The
dwellings’ construction varies depending on their location,
although most in the affected areas are made of cement;
however, some sheet metal constructions have been seen in
flooded areas. If made from the former, no major damage is
expected to the structure, although this will depend on the
Precarious housing in the district of Los Kilómetros
time constructions remain underwater. In these cases,
in Clorinda (Formosa) – Photo: ARC
families have lost between 80 and 100 per cent of their
belongings. However, precarious housing (30 per cent of homes affected in these provinces) will lose ceilings and
roofs in addition to family belongings. Families are expected to begin returning home in the next 3 or 4 weeks, so it
will be necessary to carry out assessments in this regard.
Families with homes underwater are currently in evacuation centres or with relatives. In both cases assistance and
hygiene is adequate, and there is no overcrowding in shelters. Some schools are being used as evacuation centres
(more than 30 schools in the province of Entre Ríos) but these are expected to be closed as such before the start of
the school year in late February or early March.
River levels have dropped in Entre Ríos; 41 evacuation centres have been set up in the province, but most are
housing few families. Families are expected to return home next week, when it will be necessary to support clean-up
actions to make homes habitable once more. There is no major damage to structures, but electrical systems have
been damaged as well as the floors in some homes.
Livelihoods
While there has been broad impact to livelihoods in Corrientes, Santa Fe and Entre Rios, a full recovery is expected
because affected families reside in urban environments; have access to various tools to cope with the situation; and
many continue in their jobs in local businesses. This is not the case in Formosa, where the most affected community
is Clorinda and where all livelihoods of affected communities have been affected. The State considers that supporting
livelihoods will be a problem that will persist in the medium and long term, especially in the district of Los Kilómetros
where some 300 families reside.
Affected communities engage in agriculture, fishing, working at the docks as loaders and transporting merchandise by
sea on an irregular basis to Paraguay, collecting recyclables (mainly plastics), and street food sales as bolleros and
chiperos (people who sell homemade baked goods to sell around the city).
In terms of capital affected:
Page | 11
Physical: Small producers are the most affected since most of them are unable to work because of the damage to
their homes or places of employment, and loss of raw materials. Many animal pens were damaged, so animals are
roaming free and being run over by vehicles.
Financial/social: People who work as dock workers, transporting merchandise to and from Paraguay, transporting
goods within the community, selling items on the street such as vegetables and food, and money changers, among
others, have been affected by the fact that Paraguayan retail buyers have stopped coming to the area.
Natural: Those who engage in agricultural and livestock production are the most affected, as they have been unable to
plant, cultivate or harvest, and soils are expected to take some time recover due to their instability. People who
engage in fishing are resuming their activities after repairing the nets damaged from the relocations, while others do
so as a way to procure food. Brick producers have been affected because they can no longer use secure for
production.
Most people are without work and dealing with recovering their homes or protecting them if they live in areas where
rivers continue to rise.
There are many animals roaming free in the streets and roads (cows, pigs, horses, chickens, etc.). Many of these
animals, previously in pens, constitute the livelihood of many families who were forced to move them to their
temporary shelters. This scenario is seen repeatedly in affected neighbourhoods, especially in Los Kilometros, where
animals roam free. The lack of any traffic control has led to animals being run over, and high temperatures (over 40
degrees) cause them to die as well.
Outlook and Risk Assessment
According the National Water Institute (INA), significant rainfall is expected in the near future in the middle basin,
particularly in the basin feeding the Salto Grande Dam. The current state of the Uruguay River is above-evacuation
levels in its lower section, with little probability of decreasing in the short and medium term. This situation would also
make the stabilisation of the river's normal course difficult in and around the area of the Parana and Uruguay Rivers.
As previously mentioned, the social impacts on the affected population include stress and increased tensions. It is
necessary to monitor continually these elements on the individual and collective levels. The ARC has experience in
working in collective centres, and the population with which it works respects it.
The level of the soil saturation and the lack of mechanisms for draining standing water could take up to three months.
Rains are expected to peak in March and April, which would worsen the impact of this scenario and make it difficult
to assist all of the affected population.
As local state institutions normally finish their fiscal years during this period, state funds are scarce and often
unavailable. Additionally, municipalities in this area are currently in a transition period between incoming and outgoing
authorities, which also affects the availability of resources and assistance.
The new government and other forecasters believe that inflation is a latent risk, which could affect the economy in the
next few months.
B. Operational strategy and plan
Overall objective
The overall objective of this operation is to ensure that people affected by the floods the provinces of Entre Rios
(Concordia, Concepción del Uruguay, Paraná and Colón), Formosa (Clorinda), Santa Fe (capital city of Santa Fe),
and Corrientes (capital city, Goya and Perugorria) receive appropriate assistance in a timely, effective, and efficient
manner; additionally, they are provided with the necessary support in order to recover with increased disaster
resilience. The operation takes into consideration the forecast on the impact of El Niño Phenomenon for the coming
months in order to ensure readiness in the response.
The immediate response efforts will focus on the sectors of health and care, hygiene promotion, water and sanitation,
shelter and livelihoods. The operation will support the ARC to increase capacity on: a) disaster management to
engage further with the government; human resources skills within the branches located in target areas (especially
volunteers); and disaster risk reduction expertize to support communities in their medium to long-term recovery
process.
Page | 12
Proposed strategy
In order to reinforce compliance with the overall objective and in view of the humanitarian needs, the ARC will focus
its action in the following sectors:
Province
Type of assistance
Corrientes
Santa Fe
Formosa
Entre Ríos
TOTAL
First aid
-
-
-
1000 Families
1,000 Families
Health promotion
information
100 Families
300 Families
1,200 Families
2,400 Families
4,000 Families
100 Families
300 Families
600 Families
1,000 Families
2,000 Families
200 Families
-
600 Families
-
800 Families
WASH information
and training
400 Families
600 Families
1000 Families
2,000 Families
4,000 Families
Cleaning kits
100 Families
-
600 Families
300 Families
1,000 Families
Cash transfer
programme for
reparation or
reconstruction
-
436 families
200 Families
950 Families
1,586 Families
Shelter Kits
-
-
400 Families
-
400 Families
Livelihoods
-
-
400 Families
-
400 Families
PSS care and
information
NFI (jerrycans and
chlorine tablets)
Please note the total of number to be reach is 4,600 families. The table above presents the breakdown of people
reached per services. However, the same vulnerable families might receive different services in the same location.
Health and Care: ARCS is proposing to support the existing health system by strengthening linkages between
branches and health authorities, raising community awareness in common communicable diseases including
information and provision of small enabling items at the same time the ARCS is supporting with their volunteers to
move the rubble and giving the awareness messages at the same time. Lessons already learnt have highlighted the
need for health to be integrated into future preparedness and response efforts so training for branches will be an
essential part of supporting ARCS capacity in future.
Due to reports of flood water levels and damage to households it is expected that minor injuries will increase and that
first aid should be readily available in communities. As all communities have RCVs trained in basic first aid, the focus
will be on distribution of first aid kits and monthly replenishment for the first three months (small first aid kit- per
affected communities and quarterly replenishment if needed). In addition, one advanced first aid kit and first aid to deal
with major injuries in the acute response stage will be provided.
As it is expected that communicable diseases will rise due to poor environmental sanitation and floodwaters, the
prevention of communicable diseases is essential in affected populations. To support this ARCS plans to mobilize and
deploy ECV/CBHFA volunteers to affected communities with ECV toolkits (already locally adapted). Teams will consist
approximately of 5 to 6 members including They will be responsible for health education and hygiene promotion in
affected communities including distribution of enabling items such as, ORS (including buckets and water tabs to most
affected households), IEC materials, and clean up toolkits. As volunteer capacity is limited training will be essential to
continue such activities in the medium term, so ECV volunteers will also train 5 volunteers per community in ECV to
carry on health promotion activities in affected villages including refresher training for existing ECV (in non-affected
areas). As ECV volunteers are also trained in epidemic control assessment and disease surveillance also used to
liaise with township branches and local authorities on potential disease outbreaks.
It is also expected that the Ministry of Health system at the community level may be unable to perform routine
activities like immunization, drug distribution, deworming and vitamin A campaigns. As ARCS already has an existing
relationship with local authorities, it will look at supporting the health system in two ways: supplying rural health
systems with transportation of drugs from the Ministry of Health if requested and supporting midwives to reach villages
and provide health services through linkages to communities, with ARCS covering per diem and transportation cost for
the midwives.
Page | 13
Psychosocial support will be needed for communities who have been severely affected as well as volunteers who will
be under high stress from working in the emergency situation. It is planned to utilize ARCS capacity in psychosocial
support including PSS kits to affected communities and volunteers. Posters and pamphlets will also be reprinted to
support the efforts. PSS will also be provided for responders - staff and volunteers.
Lessons already learnt from previous interventions highlighted the need for health to be integrated into future
preparedness and response efforts. Training for branches will therefore be an essential part of supporting ARCS
capacity, including combining NDRT capacity with ECV volunteers and health capacity so response will be easier.
Furthermore, development of health contingency plan at HQ and branches that are regularly affected will be part of the
longer-term plan.
Water, sanitation and hygiene promotion
Water Supply
In the current situation, most of the water sources are contaminated due to flooding, or are inaccessible, and
communities are unable to use the contaminated water sources.
Displaced populations are being housed either in temporary shelters, host families. It is estimated that in some places
they could be displaced for approximately 2 - 4 more months before they are able to return, depending on the
floodwater receding, and therefore emergency and household water provision is being considered for this period. All
displaced people consulted indicated their preference to return home as soon as they were able once the floodwaters
receded.
The household water treatment and safe storage (through aqua tabs or PUR sachets and jerry cans) is for up to 3
months in affected areas where tube well/hand pumps or bore water supplies are not damaged with accessibility to
water supply. It is anticipated that the displaced people will return to their homes as soon as the flood waters recede
and they will have access to water from hand pumps and bore water supplies, although there will be some water
quality concerns initially until the hand pumps can be repaired. The recovery activities will include well dewatering,
disinfection and repair and water supply repair for the affected areas, so that the original supply is able to be reestablished as quickly as possible.
Sanitation
Recovery sanitation activities will include the provision of cleaning kits and cash grants can be considered as an
alternative if there are recommendations from the recovery assessment, after coordination with plans for any
livelihoods and shelter cash grant distributions. Sanitation activities will be required once people return to their homes.
.
Wastewater and solid waste management
With standing water remaining an issue, (due to the soil conditions) there is some risk of mosquito-borne disease.
Flies are evident at buildings due to inadequate solid water management. The ARC sanitation teams are planning to
address some of these issues.
Hygiene Promotion
There is currently needs in hygiene promotion support in all areas due to the living conditions, particularly emergency
hygiene promotion needs for up to 2 months while people are still displaced until they return to their damaged homes.
There are female specific needs for hygiene that also need to be considered in regard to the emergency hygiene
campaigns with female volunteers. There will be hygiene needs linked with poor quality water supplies. Long-term
hygiene promotion activities will be required in all locations where water and sanitation activities have been conducted,
ARCS have many volunteers trained in the PHAST methodology and believe they have the capacity to meet the target
of 4,000 families. ARCS believe they are able to commence HP with males but will require some additional training to
commence HP with the female population.
The proposed activities for water and sanitation will be aimed at ensuring access to sustainable safe water, proper
sanitation facilities and promotion of hygiene to prevent water borne diseases; ARC, with the support of local
Page | 14
branches, will distribute water purification tablets for household water treatment, support sanitation activities. ARCS
will also provide technical support from IFRC Participatory Hygiene and Sanitation Transformation Emergency
(PHASTER) training will be carried out to sensitize the affected communities on proper hygiene and sanitation
practices. In order to further strengthen this training, various information, education and communication (IEC)
materials like posters with positive hygiene messages will be designed and produced.
Shelter
The floods caused widespread displacement, with evacuation in most cases organized by government authorities in
some provinces and others organized by the affected people themselves, often with support from ARC branches and
volunteers. Evacuation to these locations, or simply to higher ground, also happens under spontaneous community
action. However, in most places people have returned or are returning home.
During the field assessments, information on housing damage remains scarce from the other areas. Families who
experienced flooding have also lost basic household items, even if their house (ie.the main structur) remains intact. To
meet the initial need for emergency shelter for these people, relief items such as tarpaulins, basic tools, essential
household items (blankets, clothes, kitchen sets) are needed – where these can be dispatched from existing stocks
and distributed rapidly. To support early recovery of these worst affected families, cash-based assistance is a
preferred option, in areas where markets recover swiftly, and can complement the distribution of in-kind items.
Providing shelter materials such as tool kits will be necessary to support shelter provision in some locations, to ensure
that families living in open public areas can erect basic emergency shelters, given that the temperature in this season
goes up to 45° and protection and shades are vital. Distributions will be complemented by a shelter sensitization
campaign on proper siting and construction of emergency shelters as well as possible usage of unconditional cash
grants to meet shelter needs. Technical assistance to use the SK will be provided by the ARC branch of Clorinda, as
its volunteers have been trained recently with the support of Shelter Box. After the emergency phase is over, the
Government envisages the relocation on safe ground of the families living in precarious housing, and it is therefore
important that the ARC plays a role in advocacy to ensure that responsible and voluntary resettlement are prioritised.
The cash grant envisages the immediate purchase of household items, such as bed mattress, furniture and
dehumidifiers, and not specific repairs on homes for which the amount would not be sufficient,
Community Preparedness and Disaster Risk Reduction
Argentina is vulnerable to a wide range of natural disasters and is one of the most at-risk countries for flooding in
South America and the forecast of the next months with the phenomenon of the Niño are not favourable for Argentina
and the Region. The whole country is at risk from floods and which has brought into focus the extremely high
vulnerability of communities to natural hazards. Every year, over one million people are exposed to floods. Flooding
leads to loss of lives and property, damage to critical infrastructure, economic loss and health related problems such
as outbreak of water borne diseases when the rivers, ponds and reservoirs are contaminated.
The country receives practically all its rainfall between mid-March and November, the rainy season, during which
flooding are common. Limited disaster awareness and preparedness has contributed to an increased number of
disasters with regular human casualties and loss of livelihoods as well as individual and communal infrastructure. For
these reasons, the IFRC Climate Centre and the ARC have been working on a proposal to support a forecast analysis
from the National Society and its branches linked to the linked to the National Meteorological System (NMS) at local
and provincial level to advise the communities about making decisions in case of floods and reference to the flood risk
of further in the affected area in the next months. At the same time the National Society has also establish
coordination meetings with the National Meteorological Service (NMS) to set a community based EWS in this area
extremely prone to disasters. In this sense this appeal would procurement of 4 meteorological systems linked to the
hydrological ones that is based on a float gauge or gauge station is a device for recording and transmitting
measurements of heights in water that also linked to the branch of the Red Cross that support the NMS system at
local level.
The community preparedness and disaster risk reduction component of this plan aims to increase community safety
and resilience through integrated risk reduction initiatives. When immediate emergency and relief needs are covered,
there will be the need to undertake an analysis to identify specific needs for integrated community preparedness and
risk reduction. Taking into account existing capacities and needs for improvement, the analysis will be translated into
an action plan for engagement over the longer period in integrated programming aimed at enhancing community
resilience. The effects, and the consequences, of the climate change on the context, life style, risks and challenges
that the community are facing, will be factored in the action plan.
National Society’s Institutional Preparedness and Capacity Building
This relief and recovery operation is seeing a rapid increase in Red Cross activity in the communities that being
prioritised. The operation seeks to ensure that the branches involved are adequately supported both during the scale
Page | 15
up and later, during the scale down. The intention of this operation is to scale up during the relief phase of this
operation primarily using Red Cross volunteers and staff. Provinces and regions, which are not greatly affected by the
floods, are currently supporting in the operation. Teams of ARCS volunteers had been deployed in priority
communities and rotated regularly, which is providing valuable experience to other branches around the country.
During the recovery phase, the ARCS will set up ‘hub’ offices to manage the bulk of the work that will need to be
carried out, while thoughtfully identifying the complementary role of the branches. The intention is to ensure the
branches have stronger capacity at the close of the operation without subjecting them to the trauma of a dramatic
scale up and scale down.
The disaster management capacity of ARCS local branches in the areas targeted by the programme will be further
strengthened to manage and coordinate Disaster Management and DRR initiatives. The branches will be supported
with formation or strengthening of national intervention teams (NIT). These NIT training will include branch volunteers.
The branches will be supported with NIT kits, early warning communication and preparedness equipment. The NITs
are currently responding to the floods, and it is important to keep growing and maintaining this capacity within ARC.
Gender, diversity and protection
Gender, diversity and protection issues will be mainstreamed in this operation, considering mass displacements and
temporary accommodation of evacuees in displaced-persons facilities. Among others, areas of focus will include
gender-based violence (GBV), child protection and social exclusion of some groups of people based on ethnic
background, which may be exacerbated in a time of emergency when social connections become weaker.
Mainstreaming of gender, diversity and protection issues will also ensure that psychosocial interventions are Context
appropriate and that accountability lines are place for GBV response and prevention. Concerted effort will be put in
identifying, advocating and planning to address ethic-based discrimination. There will be endeavour to capture sex
and age disaggregated data, for the purpose of understanding the number and specific vulnerability of females to
males based on their gender roles and age (i.e. to understand if a higher proportion of women, children or men are
made vulnerable).
Community engagement and accountability
ARC has a long history of working and communicating with affected communities, including during the responses to
Last year’s floods in La Plata and in Lujan and the IFRC will advocate for beneficiary communications activities.
Community accountability and feedback/response mechanisms will be integrated into response and recovery
programmes to ensure that affected populations have direct access to information on the nature and scope of services
provided by ARC, along with processes that will enable community participation and feedback. These services will be
implemented through context-specific channels, including mass communication (such as mainstream media,
telephone and print media including Q&A printouts, flyers and posters, ODK) and face-to-face options through social
mobilization.
Operational support services
Human resources
The ARC branch network has been on red alert since 23 December due to the current situation, and calls and
availability requests have been made to volunteers nationwide. Currently, 200 volunteers have been mobilised to
support the local branches. Headquarters has deployed NIT members and a reinforcement of volunteers to support
local actions, namely:
7 NIT units: Two 2-member teams were deployed for assessments.
1 PSS team: Consisting of 3 people to work on the “Caring for the Carer” programme and strengthen PSS with
communities and volunteers.
1 support team: 9 volunteers were deployed to support local actions.
1 first aid team: Deployed to provide support to the NIT with first aid activities in the communities.
Government agencies: Both the National Society President and board members travelled to affected areas to support
volunteer efforts.
Headquarters: All directors of technical departments are providing specific support to deal with the situation. Clear
roles and responsibilities have been established, and 15 staff members are completely dedicated to this emergency.
The head of this operation will be responsible for the National Directorate for Emergency and Disaster Response, be
under the supervision of the Executive Director. At the local level, the project will hire a coordinator who will be
responsible for coordinating and implementing local-level activities, working with communities and the inclusion of
Page | 16
ARC branch volunteers in order to strengthen coordination in the target area. All of these people will have ARC
insurance. An administrative-financial assistant will also be hired for this operation. Personal protective gear will be
provided to ARC volunteers including rubber boots, rain ponchos, vests and shirts.
The operation will provide support through the funding of the following team:



1 General Coordinator (10 months)
3 Field Coordinators (8 months)
1 Administrator/ Finance
To support the operation the IFRC will deploy one WatSan General RIT for one month, one Livelihoods General RIT
and one coordination/PMER General RIT for 2 months.
Logistics and supply chain
Local branch logistics were being used at the beginning of the operation, but national logistics were made available
soon after. The Internal Services Sub-Directorate has made this emergency a priority, and its entire staff has been
assigned to work on it. So far, the following resources have been mobilized: 5 ARC vehicles from headquarters to
transport staff and supplies, 2 support vehicles from other branches, 1 telecommunications kit, 1 drone to support
assessments, 2 health posts, 1 Open Data Kit (ODK) and Mega V kit, visibility elements for both from the ARC and
volunteers, 1 laptop, 1 printer and first aid kits.
All procurements and procedures will be conducted at the national level in accordance with the National Society’s
procedures and in compliance with the IFRC’s standard policies and procedures. The great distances within the
country demand a vehicle for this operation. The National Society has a limited number of vehicles so a vehicle is
expected to be purchased to transport personnel and provide logistical support to all four provinces.
The Global Logistics Unit will support the Appeal’s procurement process as well as the purchase of jerrycans,
chlorine tablets, shelter kits and the vehicle.
Information technologies (IT)
Headquarters IT and telecom equipment has been pre-mobilised, and a mission will be launched if needed in order to
ensure the radio communications network provides effective communications support.
Communications equipment, fixed and mobile phones, internet-connected laptops, tablets, and printers have been
made available in order to keep headquarters, branches and volunteers connected, enable record keeping, updating
of data, planning and coordinating the emergency. ODK will be used to register surveys and beneficiary identification,
and the Mega V system will be used to deliver cards for cash distributions and relief items.
Communications
Internal communications for the operation were maintained via mobile phones and the Disaster Risk Management
Information System (SIGRID). The information transmitted was related to the organising of human resources (work,
rest and shift schedules), the provision of updates on the emergency and operations in the field, and reporting on the
operation. The headquarters National Directorate for Emergency and Disaster Response coordinated all of these
actions. Internal communiqués have been sent on a daily basis, and permanent communication is maintained between
all areas and notifications to branches are being provided.
External communications with the community and donors were maintained via social media (the official Facebook and
Twitter pages), emails to ARC official accounts and mass media (television and radio), and ARC landlines.
Fundraising mechanisms, such as donations via bank transfers, have been set up since the onset of the emergency.
This campaign was conducted over social networks and through more than 50 interviews with various local and
national media outlets. Communications and press releases will be used to ensure accountability to the community.
Furthermore, stories of beneficiaries assisted by the ARC will be used as a communications strategy specifically for
this emergency.
The operation will include the following activities:
 Develop, in conjunction with IFRC communications, a web/press release on the ARC DREF operation, and
gather quotes from operational/technical staff, volunteers, and beneficiaries. It will be published at the
following link: www.ifrc.org and disseminated over the ARC’s and the IFRC’s social networks.
 Draft releases for the web and a report on good practices in the cash transfer programme and communication
with beneficiaries.
 Develop of an Emergency Communication Plan.
 Video and photo documentation of the operation
Page | 17

Beneficiary communication Plan through Social Media / local radios / local TV stations / Local Newspaper /
community based media
Link:
http://www.ifrc.org/en/news-and-media/news-stories/americas/argentina/flooding-on-the-river-coasts-and-northernargentina/
Security
Safer Access is ensured in all field operations conducted by ARC volunteers. All participating volunteers have health
and emergency insurance provided by each branch. A security plan will be drawn up that ensures volunteers security
and access to the target areas. Lastly, personal protective equipment will be provided to volunteers, such as water
boots, helmets, clothing, masks and goggles.
Planning, monitoring, evaluation, & reporting (PMER)
Throughout the entire operation, ARC has constantly monitored the emergency and its evolution. For this purpose, a
National Society EOC was set up at the branch in La Plata to track all developments in the country related to the
heavy rainfall, storms, and overflowing rivers. The National Society's Directorate for Emergency and Disaster
Response (DRED) is represented in this EOC, and from there, country-level operational decisions are made and
coordination with the National Society’s departments. ARC’s DRED will track, monitor and support the operation,
making several visits for this purpose.
The project will include the following mechanisms for monitoring, evaluation and reporting:
• An Operations Update 30 days after the start of operation and regular operation updates in the following
months.
• Disaggregated beneficiary data will be prioritized
• A beneficiary satisfaction survey.
• A final narrative report will be made available on the ifrc.org 90 days after the close of the operation.
• Final external evaluation
• Lesson Learned Workshop.
The regional disaster management coordinator of South America will visit the field, with support from IFRC’s
Americas regional office. The Disaster Risk Management and Reduction Units will ensure that National Society
conducts the monitoring.
Administration and Finance
The ARC has specific procedures for procurement and accountability in emergencies, which ensure transparency in
the management of funds allocated for the implementation of humanitarian aid actions. The Finance and
Administration Directorate will provide support to the operation on budget tracking, purchasing, expense reports,
audits and financial reports.
The National Society also conducts annual accounting that is featured in the organisation’s annual report and balance
sheet. An independent auditing firm audits the accounts and there is an internal Accounts Supervisory Committee.
Both the annual report and balance sheet are submitted to the government for review and approval.
Through its Finance Department, the IFRC will provide the necessary operational support for the review and validation
of budgets and bank transfers, and technical assistance to National Societies on expense justification, including the
review and validation of invoices.
The proper use of financial resources will be in accordance with the conditions laid down in memorandums of
understanding (MoUs) between the National Society and the IFRC. Financial resource management will be according
to National Society regulations and DREF guidelines.
In addition, the National Society’s own procedures will be used for the expense justification process and employ IFRC
formats.
For this Appeal operation, the hiring of a financial officer will be requested to support the Finance and Administration
Directorate as a direct link between this Directorate and DRED.
C. DETAILED OPERATIONAL PLAN
Health and Care
Needs assessment: Affected areas were already suffering from problems prior to this emergency, specifically inadequate health care, difficulty accessing health centres due
to the distance, and health care delivery with limited hours and with no specialists. One of the main needs identified is having first aid brigades available to treat any
emergencies or to provide urgent care to the affected population, especially self-evacuees living with relatives. In addition, dengue cases are on the rise in provinces, which
poses another threat to the affected population. Furthermore, it is necessary to establish a PSS strategy for the population returning to their homes for when they have to face
the losses and damages to their dwellings. Health promotion activities will be important to recover sanitary conditions around and within their housing, in addition to epidemic
prevention in view of the existing conditions and the prevalence of vectors in the area.
Population to be assisted: At least 5,000 affected families in Concordia, Concepción de Uruguay, Colon, Santa Fe Capital, Clorinda, Santa Fe Paraná, Corrientes,
Perugorria y Goya receive needs-based assistance in terms of health promotion, psychosocial support and first aid.
Objectives
Outcome 1. The immediate risks to the health of 5,000 families affected by flooding in collective centres
or affected areas are reduced
Output 1.1 5,000 affected families are provided with rapid medical management of injuries and diseases.
Output 1.2 Psychosocial support is provided to at least 10,000 persons affected by flooding
Output 1.3 Community-based Health and First Aid (CBHFA), disease prevention, and health promotion is
provided to at least 5,000 families.
Activities
Weeks
Indicators
% of the affected people in the area who can access to
First Aid Services.
No. of people reached by First Aid services
No. of first aid posts
No. of people receiving psychosocial support
No. of families reached with CBHFA knowledge
No. number of volunteers trained in CBHFA
No. families who have health prevention information
No. of anti-dengue campaigns
10 11 12
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 9
Procure first aid materials and inputs for health posts
Set up and adapt mobile first aid posts
Provide first aid care
Carry out PSS sessions
Train branch volunteers on the CBHFA methodology
Carry out CBHFA workshops for affected communities
Produce health promotion materials focusing on dengue prevention but also others diseases
Disseminate health promotion materials
Water, sanitation and hygiene promotion
Needs assessment: The government is providing chlorine tablets and water filters and the population is receiving the guidelines required for their use and operation. Hence,
in order to complement these efforts, ARC volunteers will provide awareness workshops to the population.
Problems with safe water supply have been identified in Clorinda, Formosa, which makes it necessary to educate the population on adequate use, optimization and hygiene
thereof. Garbage has accumulated in affected communities so awareness campaigns also need to be conducted for the population's safe return to their homes. In addition,
Page | 2
sanitation messages to prevent health problems related to gastrointestinal issues resulting from improper use of latrines and poor domestic animal management have been
disseminated.
In Entre Ríos, families have begun to return to their homes, so in order to ensure a safe return the government and the ARC prioritize providing information on safe water
use, sanitation and hygiene promotion to the population, as well as home cleaning activities. The National Society will centre its actions in Colón, Concordia and Concepcion
del Uruguay since the safety of the water cannot be ensured. The population is consuming tap water that is not safe, making it necessary to provide water purification
methods.
In Santa Fe, the government is covering several actions, but messages to the community on water use, sanitation and hygiene promotion need to be reinforced.
The safety of the water cannot be insured in Perugorria either, so this need has to be covered for three weeks after the population returns to their homes while the new pumps
are up and operating.
Population to be assisted: 4,000 affected families in Entre Ríos, Santa Fe, Corrientes and Formosa receive needs-based assistance in the form of water, sanitation and
hygiene promotion activities for their return home.
Objective
Outcome 2. 4,000 families have access to safe water, hygiene promotion and improve their water and
sanitation conditions
Output 2.1 4,000 families receive support and information on safe water use and household sanitation
Output 2.2 Hygiene-related goods (basic household items) are provided to 800 families.
Activities
Weeks
Distribute 10-litre jerrycans (two per family) and chlorine tablets (2,100 tablets per family per month) in
Clorinda to 800 families
Conduct safe water use workshops for target population
Distribute 1,000 cleaning kits (1 per family) in the communities of Clorinda, Concepción de Uruguay, Concordia
and Corrientes.
Provide information on safe water use and household sanitation to 4,000 families
Conduct 15 household sanitation campaigns
See Annex 2 for contents of cleaning kit.
Indicators
No. of assisted families
No. of safe water use workshops
No. of cleaning kits delivered
No. of chlorine tablets delivered
No. of jerrycan distributions
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Page | 3
Shelter and settlements (and household items)
Needs assessment: In many cases, flooding has left homes completely under water (1.5 metres above the level thereof). Except in Formosa, most homes are made of
cement, so there has been no major structural damage except to roofs and floors, but in terms of household belongings (furniture, appliances, among others) losses have
been considerable or total. In Entre Ríos and Corrientes families have continued to return to their homes, while in Santa Fé and Formosa families remain displaced. Santa Fé
has well-organized collective centres without major needs, so affected families in this area only require support for returning home. However, in Clorinda more than 400
families are living along Route 11 in very precarious houses that are structurally weak and have poorly constructed latrines with no roofs and almost no privacy.
Population to be assisted: Based on the completion of assessments, the ARC will deliver support through a cash transfer programme that will provide 150 US dollars
(USD) to 1,586 families in Concordia, Concepción del Uruguay and Santa Fé. In addition, 400 families in Clorinda will receive shelter kits shelter. The Clorinda branch has
trained volunteers to assist families in the technical use of the Shelter Kits..
Outcome 3: Emergency shelter assistance is provided to the target population in Concordia,
Concepción del Uruguay and Santa Fé.
Output 3.1 1,586 affected families are assisted in Clorinda, Concepción del Uruguay, Concordia y Santa Fé
with USD 150 in unconditional cash transfer to meet their immediate needs upon returning to their homes.
Output 3.2: 400 families in Los Kilometros in Clorinda receive a shelter kit
Activities
Weeks
No. of families which have received shelter assistance (via
CTP or shelter kit)
No. of pre-loaded cards delivered in target areas
No. of families reached through shelter kits.
No. of kits pre-positioned s
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 9
10
11
12
Carry out beneficiary evaluation and registration using ODK
Complete market analysis and determine amount of assistance required
Notify beneficiaries
Coordinate with selected bank for the issuance of cards
Deliver cards to beneficiaries
Monitor card use
Register beneficiaries using Mega-V to deliver kits
Arrange transport of kits to the ARC’s central warehouse
Distribute 400 shelter kits
Condition ARC central warehouse to collect kits
Livelihoods
Needs assessment: The main needs identified by the ARC are based on observations in the field and interviews with affected populations. In urban areas, the main
livelihoods of the population, such as industry and trade, are not affected and people continue with their normal everyday work lives. This is mainly in Santa Fe, Corrientes
and Entre Ríos where the affected areas are near major urban centres.
Page | 4
However, in Clorinda, agriculture, livestock and fishing production has been severely affected, also affecting their main source of income preventing people from accessing
products and supporting their families. The affected families who lost crops, animals and work tools will be able to secure financial resources through the implementation of
the cash transfer programme to reactivate their livelihoods.
Population to be assisted: 400 affected families in Clorinda will receive needs-based assistance (USD 150) in resources to reactivate their livelihoods.
Outcome 4. Livelihoods are protected and negative coping strategies reduced among 400 affected
families in Clorinda
No. of families reached through livelihoods assistance
Output 4.1. Working capital and inputs sufficient to resume activities
No. of cards delivered
No. of households who have been supported with cash
Activities
1
Weeks
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Conduct detailed livelihoods assessments
Carry out beneficiary evaluation and registration using ODK
Complete market analysis and determine amount of assistance required
Notify to beneficiaries
Coordinate with selected bank for the issuance of cards
Deliver cards to beneficiaries
Monitor card use
Disaster preparedness and risk reduction
Needs analysis: Considering that the El Niño phenomenon will continue throughout the first half of 2016, it is necessary to improve preparedness mechanisms. The ARC has
disaster preparedness and risk reduction capacity to respond to the current context but it is concentrated in the central regions of Argentina. This is due to past operations
(Floods in La Plata city during 2013) and local DIPECHO risk management projects, which have taken place in those regions. The current emergency has showed the ARC's
strong capacity for response, but branch personnel and volunteers in the current affected areas need to strengthen their skills.
In addition, some response actions need to be linked to the risk management cycle to increase prevention, preparedness and response measures. The floods along the
Argentine coast demonstrated that the population in Entre Rios, Formosa, Santa Fe and Corrientes provinces do not possess the knowledge to deal with these types of floods
and to handle the information provided by the authorities during these events. This has caused a delayed response in terms of evacuation, resulting in people losing their
household items.
According to the process of the ARCS and the Climate Centre of the IFRC on how the local branches can support in the early warning system making forecast and advice to
the communities about the increase of the rivers, the national society are planning to increase the knowledge about making decisions in case of floods linked to the National
Meteorological System (NMS) and reference to the flood risk of further in the affected area in the next months.
Population to be assisted: Four communities and volunteers in Concordia, Clorinda, Corrientes Capital, and Santa Fe Capital will be supported through disaster
preparedness and institutional strengthening as part of the IFRC’s strategy with the Climate Centre.
Page | 5
OBJECTIVES
Outcome 5. Communities’ resilience to disasters is protected and restored in the four
target provinces.
Output 5.1 Resource mapping of vulnerabilities, capacities and risks related to multiple hazards
is conducted for the affected communities.
Activities
Month
Select and validate four communities together with local volunteers in the provinces of Santa Fe,
Formosa, Corrientes and Entre Ríos.
Conduct baselines studies in each community
Conduct a “Learning by carrying out Vulnerability Capacity Assessment (VCA) workshop linked
with climate change for 25 ARC volunteers in one target community
Conduct a VCA linked with climate change in the other three target communities
Conduct workshops on disaster risk reduction issues including CBHFA, prepared family module
and on local hazards identified in the VCA (floods)
Procure and provide equipment for three community teams
Conduct monitoring and follow-up of disaster risk reduction activities
Outcome 6. Four ARC branches in the Argentine coastal region are strengthened in risk
management and disaster response.
Output 6.1 Volunteer capacity in risk management, and disaster response is strengthened
Activities
Month
Carry out response and contingency planning workshops for 24 volunteers
Organize a meeting focused on El Niño
Outcome 7: Four branches in Argentine Littoral region have a system of meteorological
monitoring and watershed for early warning system (EWS) in place
Output 7.1: 25 volunteers have increased their knowledge of the meteorological systems for
EWS.
INDICATORS
No. of communities reached through preparedness interventions
No. of prepared municipalities
Total number of households that participated in the project activities
% of people in the project site who have better knowledge of disaster risk
management
No. of local contingency plans
No. of vulnerability capacity assessments (VCA) conducted
No. of assessments and short- and medium-term plans for imminent risks
and vulnerable groups made
No. of people trained in vulnerability and capacity assessment
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
% of volunteers trained
No. of volunteers trained in the General National Intervention Team
No. of people in the EOC system participating in National Society’s
workshop.
No. meeting that raise awareness on to the Niño Phenomenon
10
11
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
No. of EWS installed per community
No. of workshops.
No. of trained ARC volunteers.
No. of volunteers trained in the use of the meteorological system
No. of agreements with the local governments.
12
Page | 6
Activities
Month
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Organize workshop on climate change and the Niño Phenomenon by the Climate Centre
Procure inputs and install meteorological system
Carry out systematic monitoring of rivers and monitoring of communities
National Society’s Institutional Preparedness and Capacity Building
Needs analysis: The response efforts will put pressure on ARCS’s capacity and demand on personnel and volunteers as well as other organizational components in the
response. There is a need to support ARC leadership, to ensure modernisation, professionalism, and teamwork, with special attention to the active and effective integration of
volunteers supporting affected branches.
Gender, diversity and protection issues is need to be taking in account in the National Society response and recovery phase, most of the emergencies in Argentina are
considering mass displacements and temporary accommodation of evacuees in displaced-persons facilities. For that reason the areas of gender-based violence (GBV), child
protection and social exclusion of some groups of people based on ethnic background needs to be included in the curricula of the volunteers of the National Society.
OBJECTIVES
Outcome 8. The Argentine Red Cross has increased its disaster management capacity.
Output 8.1: ARC emergency response capacity of staff and volunteers is strengthened
Activities
Month
Carry out NIT trainings
Train 25 ARC members on emergency operation centre management
Develop contingency emergency plans for HQ and townships that are regularly affected by
disasters
Carry out a GBV, child protection and social exclusion workshop
INDICATORS
% of people trained who have better knowledge of disaster management.
No. of volunteers trained in EOC management
No. of volunteers trained and prepared as NIT
10
11
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
12
Quality programming / Areas common to all sectors
Objective
Outcome 9. Continuous and detailed assessment and analysis are used to inform the
design and implementation of the operation.
Output 9.1 Initial needs are assessed in consultation with beneficiaries.
Indicators
No. of reports generated by branches and national COE
No. of assessment reports
Assessment reports that provide data on affected population disaggregated
by sex, age and vulnerabilities (assessment reports).
Page | 7
Output 9.2 The management of the operation is informed by a comprehensive monitoring and
evaluation system.
Output 9.3 Operation activities are shared over local, regional and national media
Activities
Months
Complete rapid assessments
Conduct detailed assessments
Deploy Regional Intervention Teams (RIT’s) for water, sanitation, livelihoods and general
coordination
Maintain functioning of the ARC’s National Emergency Operation Centre
Carry out meetings with National Intervention Teams (NIT’s) for activity planning and
implementation
Communicate the ARC’s Plan of Action internally and externally
Carry out monitoring visits (IFRC)
Coordinate meetings with local, provincial and national authorities
Carry out monitoring visits by ARC headquarters
Complete beneficiary satisfaction survey
Record beneficiary stories, and publish communications material
Disseminate press releases for accountability to the community
Hire ARC staff (1 coordinator, 3 technicians and 1 finance officer) to support the operation
Coordinate the final external evaluation
Carry out Lessons Learned workshop
No. of NS monitoring missions
No. of coordination meetings.
No. of beneficiary interviews to learn about their level of satisfaction.
No. of beneficiary stories
No. of press releases to the media.
No. of beneficiary stories disseminated.
10
11
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
12
Contact Information
For further information specifically related to this operation please contact:
In the Argentine Red Cross:
 Cristian D. Bolado, disaster response director, Argentine Red Cross, phone: +54011-4952-7200; email: [email protected]
In the IFRC country office in Buenos Aires:
 Roberto Palomo, IFRC country coordinator for Argentina and Uruguay; email: [email protected]
In the IFRC Americas regional office, Panama (+507 317-3050):
 Carlos Inigo Barrena, disaster response and crisis and early recovery coordinator; email: [email protected].
 Stephany Murillo, regional senior logistics and mobilization officer; email: [email protected]
 Priscila Gonzalez, planning, monitoring and reporting team coordinator; email: [email protected]
 Diana Medina, communications coordinator; email: [email protected]
 For resource mobilization and pledges: Alejandra Van Hensbergen, relationship management senior
officer; email: [email protected]
In IFRC Geneva:
Cristina Estrada, quality assurance senior officer, phone: +41.22.730.4529, email: [email protected]
EMERGENCY APPEAL
22/01/2016
MDRAR010 - ARGENTINA FLOODS
Multilateral Response
Budget Group
Shelter - Relief
Shelter - Transitional
Construction - Housing
Construction - Facilities
Construction - Materials
Clothing & Textiles
Food
Seeds & Plants
Water, Sanitation & Hygiene
Medical & First Aid
Teaching Materials
Utensils & Tools
Other Supplies & Services
Emergency Response Units
Cash Disbursements
Total RELIEF ITEMS, CONSTRUCTION AND SUPPLIES
Land & Buildings
Vehicles
Computer & Telecom Equipment
Office/Household Furniture & Equipment
Medical Equipment
Other Machinery & Equipment
Total LAND, VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT
21,868
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
7,348
9,145
66,100
3,499
52,681
0
296,108
456,748
0
24,850
0
0
0
0
24,850
Storage, Warehousing
Distribution & Monitoring
Transport & Vehicle Costs
Logistics Services
Total LOGISTICS, TRANSPORT AND STORAGE
12,442
1,640
74,897
14,512
103,491
International Staff
National Staff
National Society Staff
Volunteers
Other Staff Benefits
Total PERSONNEL
24,850
10,437
84,531
20,474
6,560
146,851
Consultants
Professional Fees
Total CONSULTANTS & PROFESSIONAL FEES
Workshops & Training
Total WORKSHOP & TRAINING
Travel
Information & Public Relations
Office Costs
Communications
Financial Charges
Other General Expenses
Shared Office and Services Costs
Total GENERAL EXPENDITURES
Inter-Agency Shelter
Coord.
0
0
0
0
Bilateral Response
Appeal Budget CHF
0
21,868
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
7,348
9,145
66,100
3,499
52,681
0
296,108
456,748
0
0
24,850
0
0
0
0
24,850
0
12,442
1,640
74,897
14,512
103,491
0
24,850
10,437
84,531
20,474
6,560
146,851
9,940
0
9,940
0
0
9,940
0
9,940
149,893
149,893
0
0
149,893
149,893
0
12,425
10,139
16,898
6,262
5,169
0
2,060
52,952
12,425
10,139
16,898
6,262
5,169
0
2,060
52,952
0
Partner National Societies
0
Other Partners (NGOs, UN, other)
0
Total TRANSFER TO PARTNERS
0
0
0
0
61,407
61,407
0
0
0
0
61,407
61,407
0
0
0
0
0
1,006,132
0
0
1,006,132
Programme and Services Support Recovery
Total INDIRECT COSTS
Pledge Earmarking & Reporting Fees
Total PLEDGE SPECIFIC COSTS
TOTAL BUDGET
Available Resources
Multilateral Contributions
Bilateral Contributions
TOTAL AVAILABLE RESOURCES
NET EMERGENCY APPEAL NEEDS
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1,006,132
0
0
1,006,132
Page | 2
ANNEX 2 – Cleaning kit
Quantity
1
1
1
2
1
5
1
1
1
1
1
Item
Broom
Wringer
Hand brush
Litres of concentrated detergent
Package of trash bags
Litres of concentrated bleach
Package of 60 x 90 mops
Bucket (10-litre capacity)
Package of multipurpose
sponges
Package of 40 x 40 kitchen
towels
Trash bin
MDRAR010
FL-2016-000003-ARG22
22 January 2016
Argentina: Floods
Bolivia
Targetted population
☶
⛳
Most affected provinces
Paraguay
CLORINDA
Formosa
!
\
⛳
☶
Argentina
GOYA
☶
⛳
Asuncion
Corrientes
PERUGORRIA
☶
⛳
Santa Fe
PARANA
CONCORDIA
100
200 km
☶
⛳
SANTA FE
⛳
☶
☶
⛳
0
Brazil
Entre
Rios
COLON
CONCEPCION
DEL URUGUAY
⛳
☶
☶
⛳
Uruguay
Buenos
!
\ Aires
I
!
\ Montevideo
The maps used do no t impl y the expression of an y opinion on the part of th e Inte rnatio nal Federa tion of the Red Cross and Red Crescent So cieties or Nation al So cieties concerning th e
legal status of a territory or of its authorities. Map data sources: GADM, International Fe deration - MDRAR010.MX D - Map cre ated by DCM/GVA