Relief Efforts Hindered by Heavy Snowfall in Tunisia’s Northwest

Asma Ghribi | 08 February 2012 | 1 Comment

Ain Draham under the snow

Several regions in Tunisia continue to combat the intense cold wave that has recently struck the northwest of the country. Daily social routines and commercial activity in these areas has been severely affected, as temperatures have plunged to negative five degrees Celsius. Heavy snowfall has accumulated to a depth of more than 80 centimeters in the town of Ain Draham – located within the northwestern governorate of Jendouba.

The National Institute of Meteorology (NIM) explained that they had forecasted this wave of cold in advance so that the government could make necessary preparations.

Abd Razek Rahal, chief engineer and head of the Weather Forecast Department at NIM Rahal stressed that they had previously warned national and regional authorities about the impending wave of cold. “On February 3^rd, we sent a communiqué to all relevant authorities. We even sent it to the Tunisian Press Agency (TAP),” he explained.

Hundreds of people have been cut off from other, more rural, parts of Ain Draham, as the heavy snowfall has blocked roads and prevented aid provided by relief groups and the Army from reaching the towns’ residents.

“We have been living without electricity since last Saturday. The roads are blocked in spite of the attempts of the Army,” said Rabeh Moumni, a resident of Ain Draham.

Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali stated that the level of poverty, the lack of adequate resources or basic infrastructure, and the absence of a governor to take decisive action has aggravated the situation. Jebali visited the governorate of Jendouba, and met with regional officials to develop urgent solutions to alleviate the severe conditions endured by the locals of the region.

Jebali ordered the reactivation of Ain Draham’s crisis response team, and delineated the most urgent priorities of the relief efforts – which included clearing the main roads to facilitate the distribution of food and aid, providing medical attention to those in urgent need, and reconnecting the town’s electricity.

The Tunisian Company of Electricity and Gas (STEG) stated that it is working ‘tirelessly’ to ensure that the supply of electricity is maintained. However, they also stressed the importance of the coordinating efforts between the Army and the various rescue teams.

“We found ourselves trapped yesterday after trying to fix the electrical supply in Buni Mtir (a province in Ain Draham), until a rescue team came and helped us out,” stated Mohamed Ammar, Electricity Supply Director at (STEG).

“We all need to unify our efforts,” Ammar concluded.

The National Institute of Meteorology (NIM) forecasts that this cold snap will slowly disperse by the end of the week, though winds from across the Mediterranean will continue to keep temperatures low in the upcoming weeks.