Last week, Macedonia saw the beginning of heavy torrential rains
which caused the rivers Konjarka and Lipkovska to overflow. In Kumanovo,
northeast from Skopje, over 200 households were flooded which resulted
in the evacuation of some 600 persons from the settlements of Sredorek
and Bavci.
ACT member the Macedonian Center of International Cooperation
(MCIC) reported that the greatest damage was inflicted upon these
two predominantly Roma settlements. Also affected were five power
stations in Kumanovo, leaving a part of town without electricity for
12 hours. The floods moved towards Kriva Palanka town causing landslides.
Heavy rains also caused the River Vardar to overflow, affecting some
30 homes in Veles town, weekend houses and thousands of hectares of
farm land in the Gevgelija area. All railway traffic was blocked for
24 hours.
The floods resulted in the loss of two lives; a woman was buried
alive in her house when it collapsed, and a man died from a heart
attack triggered by the sight of his flooded home.
Displacement: Some 4,000 people are affected by the
floods, the majority being Roma population from Kumanovo. Most of
them have found temporary shelter with host families, while some 400
persons are accommodated in collective centers.
Health Risks: There is a threat of water borne diseases
such as typhus, paratyphus, diphtheria and hepatitis A.
Response: The Crisis Management Center which was established
during the civil conflict in Macedonia, has been authorized to co-ordinate
counter-flood actions. The regional civil protection units have distributed
food, blankets, mattresses and clothes to the affected population.
MCIC completed emergency distribution of basic food commodities and
sleeping bags to the temporary shelters and a few other affected sites.
Affected families were also assisted by the International Committee
of the Red Cross (ICRC). In addition, the Macedonian government decided
rendered social assistance to both displaced and host families.
MCIC will continue to monitor the situation and keep ACT CO informed.
Should the crisis escalate, MCIC will consider delivering aid on a
larger scale.
