IOM is participating in the United Nations (UN) inter-agency
response to provide assistance to over 600,000 people in
flood-affected areas of Mexico.

It has deployed emergency response staff to the States of
Tabasco and Chiapas to work with the government, local NGOs and
other partners, and is providing technical assistance on the
establishment of shelters and the provision of non-food items in
both locations.

In Tabasco, more than 200,000 people are still living in some
900 shelters.  The larger shelters are well-assisted and
organized, but reports suggest that some 600 smaller shelters are
less organized and are still lacking some basic services.

In Chiapas there are some 5,000 people living in 50
shelters.  Government experts report that due to the quality
of the soil and topographic conditions, including large forests and
mountainous areas, emergency conditions created by rains,
mudslides, flash floods and swollen rivers may persist.  Many
communities, where houses were rebuilt or repaired after Hurricane
Stan in October 2005, were affected by the floods. 

The government of Chiapas is establishing new settlements for
displaced populations with IOM assistance. But IOM staff report
that there may be a risk of new displacements from rural areas in
Chiapas in the coming weeks.

As part of the inter-agency response, IOM's work will focus on
supporting coordination and improved management of shelters through
technical assistance and training;  enhancing shelter
capacities and providing non-food items for 2,500 families in
Tabasco, particularly in rural areas; establishing shelter
infrastructure for 3,000 families in Chiapas; and purchasing
shelter materials and non-food items, including cooking
materials.

For more information please contact:

Juan Artola

IOM Mexico

Tel: +525 5 55 36 39 54

E-mail: "mailto:jartola@iom.int">jartola@iom.int