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Ecuador: Oil Spill – Mar 2025

Affected country: Ecuador Glide: AC-2025-000037-ECU On 13 March, a major oil pipeline ruptured inland Ecuador, contaminating several rivers and outpouring into coastal areas. More than 300,000 people are affected, primarily due to the suspension of potable water in the area. The lack of safe access to water increases the risk of disease and heightens vulnerabilities and needs in affected communities that are already highly marginalized. On 20 March, the Government officially requested support from the United Nations, specifically noting the Joint Environment Unit (JEU) and UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC). The situation is further exacerbated by ongoing security challenges in Esmeraldas, one of the provinces most affected by the national security crisis, while heavy rains continue to hinder response efforts. (OCHA, 20 Mar 2025)

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Tropical Cyclone Jude – Mar 2025

Affected countries: Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique Glide: TC-2025-000027-MOZ According to the Mozambique National Institute of Meteorology (INAM), Cyclone Jude made its landfall over the district of Mossuril in Nampula province on 10 March at 06:00H (local time), with maximum sustained winds of 140 km/h and gustiness of up to 195 km/h. The weather system is forecasted to linger over Nampula province until the evening of 10 March, bringing with it heavy rains – exceeding 250 mm in 24 hours – accompanied by severe thunderstorms that could trigger floods in the provinces of Nampula, Zambezia, Cabo Delgado, and Sofala (WFP ADAM flood forecast). The Hydrological Department issued a flooding alert in the areas along the main river basins of Nampula, and localized flooding has been reported in Nacala and Ilha de Moçambique districts. Initial reports from partners in the field indicate the impact of the cyclone on houses, public infrastructure including roads, electricity and telecommunication lines. INGD and IOM-DTM teams were pre-deployed in the districts and are on standby for rapid needs assessments in areas that will be accessible. At least 780,468 people are at very high and high risk across the provinces of the cyclone’s track, among them the 508,167 people in Nampula province and 272,302 people in Zambezia province. (OCHA, 10 Mar 2025)

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Argentina: Floods – Mar 2025

Affected country: Argentina Glide: FL-2025-000036-ARG On 6 March, the National Meteorological Service, through its Early Warning System, established the Orange Alert Level for storms for the southern region of the Province of Buenos Aires. Given that this represented a dangerous phenomenon for society, life, property and the environment, both the municipal authorities and different community institutions took preventive measures such as the suspension of classes, cancellation of outdoor activities and reinforcements in risk communication. In the early hours of the morning of 7 March, the Bahía Blanca District, located on the southern coast of the province, experienced intense and prolonged rains, reaching a total of more than 300 mm in a sustained period of six hours. During the morning, the official agency raised the Alert Level to Red, in view of the short-term forecasts that foresaw the continuity of rainfall, with an expected accumulation of an additional 100 mm. The course of the Napostá stream, which crosses the city, did not have enough capacity to guarantee adequate rainfall runoff, which caused an overflow that generated significant impacts in 70% of the area. In terms of its impact, the flood caused partial and total damage to the infrastructure of homes and businesses, light poles, walls, trees and signs, causing extensive material losses and interruptions in essential services such as medical care, transportation, electricity, gas, fuel, telecommunications and water supply. The flood affected the vast majority of the community, both in urban and peri-urban areas, with the most affected areas being those in the east and southeast of the district. Many households experienced water inflow that has reached heights of two meters in some regions, including in the urban centre. Although approximately 50% of the affected areas have been drained, the recovery process is expected to take several weeks in some cases. Thus, particularly vulnerable areas such as the towns of General Cerri and Ingeniero White continue to face flooding challenges due to their geographical location, pre-existing drainage problems and high levels of vulnerability. (IFRC, 19 Mar 2025)

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Tropical Cyclone Honde – Feb 2025

Affected countries: Madagascar, Réunion (France) Glide: TC-2025-000025-MDG While Tropical Cyclone Honde passed approximately 100 km off the south-western coast of Madagascar, its wind and rain mainly affected two regions. Initial reports indicate that three people have died, one is missing, and 69 others have been injured. Approximately 21,600 people have been displaced across several cities in the south, particularly in the districts of Toliara, Belo sur Tsiribihina, and Ampanihy. The cyclone also caused massive damage to infrastructure, including houses and schools. The Government is leading the response, and partners are mobilizing all the stocks available in the South, and some stocks from the Capital to support the response. (OCHA, 4 Mar 2025) The passage of the tropical cyclone HONDE very close (approximately 100 km south) to the southern coast of Madagascar over the period from 28 February to 1 March, with maximum sustained winds up to 137 km/h, caused very heavy rainfall and strong winds that have resulted in casualties and severe damage. The National Risk and Disaster Management Programme of Madagascar (BNGRC), UN OCHA, and media report, as of 5 February, three fatalities, 69 injured people, 21,600 evacuated people, and a total of more than 43,200 affected people across southern and central-western regions of the country, where the worst affected are the Atsimo-Andrefana region and the Menabe region. In addition, the same sources also report over 1,900 destroyed and around 7,200 damaged houses across the affected area. Over the next 72 hours, more heavy rainfall is forecast over southern and central Madagascar. (ECHO, 5 Mar 2025)

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Georgia: Heavy Snowfall and Cold Wave – Feb 2025

Affected country: Georgia Glide: CW-2025-000024-GEO Since 21 February 2025, Western Georgia has been struggling with a severe winter storm, causing widespread damage and humanitarian challenges. The most critical impact was recorded on 1 March and the disaster is still ongoing, with heavy snow and extreme weather conditions continuing to affect Guria, Adjara, Imereti, and Mtskheta-Mtianeti. Many villages remain isolated, thousands of people are still without electricity, and emergency responders are facing serious challenges in reaching those in need. In Guria, snowdrifts continue to block roads, leaving villages like Chokhatauri, Gogole District, and Ozurgeti cut off from essential supplies. Residents of Buknari, Kvenobani, and Basileti remain stranded, while people in Jumati, Konchati, and Kokati face food shortages and worsening conditions. With ongoing snowfall, there is still no clear timeframe for when access to these areas will be restored. In Imereti, around 30,000 people are still without electricity, and 149 villages remain inaccessible. Schools remain closed, and relief efforts are slowed down by the extreme weather. In Adjara, conditions have not improved, as Batumi continues to face power outages and mobility restrictions due to icy roads. In Khulo, Shuakhevi, and Keda, nearly 20 villages remain surrounded by snow, and some homes are still buried. Reports indicate a serious lack of food, medical supplies, and heating, while avalanche risks remain high. The death toll stands at 3 (three), with recent reports confirming that people have died from collapsed roofs, unavailability of essential medicines, and lack of timely medical access. Emergency responders and military personnel are still working to clear roads and evacuate people from the hardest-hit areas, but the ongoing snowfall makes their work extremely difficult. (IFRC, 16 Mar 2025)

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Botswana: Floods – Feb 2025

Affected country: Botswana Glide: FL-2025-000029-BWA Since 16 February, Botswana has been experiencing widespread floods caused by heavy rainfall which resulted in the displacement of over five thousand people, including children, disrupting access to clean water, healthcare, education, and shelter. The crisis is hitting the most vulnerable the hardest, increasing the risk of disease outbreaks […] UNICEF has allocated US$50,000 through a partnership with the Botswana Red Cross Society to distribute essential supplies, hygiene kits, safe drinking water in affected areas, oral rehydration salts, with links to health facilities and child protection measures in evacuation centres. UNICEF has appealed for US$860,000 to support government efforts to deliver life-saving aid and long-term recovery efforts. (UNICEF, 7 Mar 2025)

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Uganda: Ebola Outbreak – Jan 2025

Affected country: Uganda Glide: EP-2025-000017-UGA On 30 January, the Ministry of Health in Uganda declared an Ebola outbreak (Sudan virus) following the death of a male nurse at the national referral hospital on 29 January. The outbreak was confirmed by three national laboratory postmortem. About 45 contacts in the Central (Kampala) and Eastern (Mbale) regions are under quarantine. The Ministry of Health has been very reactive and with support from WHO has activated all necessary response measures to contain the outbreak including a vaccination campaign – a 72-hour response plan is in the final stage of approval. DG ECHO is exploring to support the response in Mbale through an ongoing project within the district. (ECHO, 31 Jan 2025) As of 20 February 2025, a total of nine confirmed cases of Sudan virus disease, including one death have been reported from Uganda, since the outbreak was declared on 30 January 2025. Eight cases received care at treatment centres in the capital Kampala and in Mbale and were discharged on 18 February after two negative tests 72 hours apart. As of 20 February 2025, 58 contacts that have been identified are still under follow up in designated quarantine facilities located in Jinja, Kampala, and Mbale. (WHO, 21 Feb 2025)

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Peru: Floods and Landslides – Jan 2025

Affected country: Peru Glide: FL-2025-000022-PER The Government declared a 60-day state of emergency across 338 districts in 20 regions, including Lima and Callao, to address the severe threat of heavy rainfall. An executive decree for the emergency will allow authorities to expedite urgent action to reduce risks and meet immediate needs. Local and regional governments are coordinating efforts with the National Institute of Civil Defense (INDECI). Key affected regions include Amazonas, Áncash, and Arequipa. (OCHA, 20 Jan 2025) As of February 17th, official data from the National Institute of Civil Defense (INDECI) reports more than 57 thousand people affected by heavy rainfall and its consequences, including 7 deaths. According to UNICEF’s estimates, around 17 thousand are children. More than 27,000 houses, 79 classrooms, and 14 health centres have been damaged or destroyed. Additionally, over 1 million meters of urban and local roads and more than 200 bridges have been affected or destroyed. (UNICEF, 26 Feb 2025)

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