1 - Rationale, needs and target population :

1.1. - Rationale :

The Caribbean region experiences multiple natural disasters. Tropical storms often take the form of a hurricane1, and the hurricane season lasts for six months. There are also floods, flash floods, tsunamis, landslides and mudslides. Some islands suffer from earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. The physical risk is combined with socioeconomic factors, such as high population density, fast demographic growth and great poverty. The combination of these factors results in very vulnerable communities,

In Brief

Appeal No. MAA49001; Programme Update no. 2, Period covered: 1 April to 31 July 2006; 2006 Appeal Coverage: 66.4%; Outstanding needs for 2006: CHF 1,184,070 (USD 985,921 or EUR 745,436).

2006 and 2007 Appeal target: CHF

This assurance was given by Member of Parliament for the area, Errol Ennis, after a tour of affected communities on Saturday, November 25.

He noted that heavy equipment had already been engaged to clear blocked roads in some affected areas, adding that urgent attention would be given to those roadways which have either been destroyed or badly damaged.

Mr. Ennis extended sympathy to those

NATURE OF EVENT

The flash flood warning has been lifted for the island. The atmosphere is becoming more stable but there are still large amounts of moisture which can easily trigger rainfall.

COMMUNITIES AFFECTED

The table and the Map below detail communities that have been reported affected over the period of the event.

Kingston, Jamaica, November 21, 2006(ODPEM) -The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) has been advised by the Meteorological Service that, due to the present frontal system affecting the island, unstable weather conditions (with scattered showers and thunderstorms across most parishes) is expected to continue tonight into tomorrow.

All Parish Disaster Coordinators have been advised to put their shelter managers on alert for prompt action if necessary. To date, ODPEM has had no reports of extensive flooding. However, reports were received of:

In its path through the Caribbean, Tropical Storm Ernesto affected, to varying degrees, Jamaica, Haiti, Cuba and the United States, reaching maximum sustained winds of 120km (category 1) as it passed close to Haiti.

In Jamaica, Red Cross volunteers were mobilized in preparation for Ernesto. As a preparedness measure, relief

Jamaica Discontinues All Storm Watches and Warnings, New Ones Raised for The Bahamas in Advance of Ernesto

ADVISORY # 3

The Event: At 1100hrs EDT (11:00A.M.) Monday August 28, 2006, the center of Tropical Storm Ernesto was located near latitude 20.3 north, longitude 75.7 west or about 35 miles (55 km) west-northwest of Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. This position places Ernesto approximately 210 miles (500km) south of Nassau, The Bahamas.

Ernesto is moving toward the northwest