This situation report is based on information received from, the UN Emergency Technical Team (UNETT) in the affected countries, the Regional Office in Panama and the National Hurricane Centre.

HIGHLIGHTS

- The Emergency Relief Coordinator John Holmes visited Haiti on 23 and 24 October. He called for continued efforts from the humanitarian community and appealed for donors to sustain their generosity.

- The situation in Gonaives and other affected areas in Haiti remain difficult in particular with regards to shelter and food security.

SITUATION

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today announced that federal disaster aid has been made available for the territory of the U. S. Virgin Islands and ordered federal aid to supplement territory recovery efforts in the area struck by Hurricane Omar during the period of October 14-16, 2008.

FEMA Administrator David Paulison said federal funding is available to the territory and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair

This situation report is based on information received from, the UN Emergency Technical Team (UNETT) in the affected countries, the Regional Office in Panama and the National Hurricane Centre. This situation report covers the effects of storms and Hurricanes "Gustav", "Ike" and "Omar" in the Caribbean.

HIGHLIGHTS

- The Emergency Relief Coordinator, John Holmes, will visit Haiti on 23-24 October to review the response to the humanitarian crisis caused by the storms and hurricanes that hit the country.

- Shelter material is still a priority

Hurricane Omar crossed the northern Leeward Islands as a major Category 3 storm. Warnings are being issued for other islands in the Caribbean Sea as the hurricane moves northeastward.

Hurricane Omar crossed the northern Leeward Islands as a major Category 3 storm. Warnings are being issued for other islands in the Caribbean Sea as the hurricane moves northeastward.

(Updates with latest position, details)

By John Marino

SAN JUAN, Oct 16 (Reuters) - Hurricane Omar swirled away from the small Leeward islands in the northeastern Caribbean on Thursday after strengthening into a major Category 3 storm and threatening to bring torrential rains that could trigger floods and mudslides.

The 15th tropical cyclone of a busy Atlantic hurricane season, Omar formed north of the Dutch island of Curacao on Tuesday, briefly disrupting oil operations in Venezuela and shut down processing units at a refinery in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

By John Marino

SAN JUAN, Oct 16 (Reuters) - Hurricane Omar weakened in the Atlantic on Thursday after threading its way through the small islands of the northeastern Caribbean as a powerful storm that caused far less damage than its punch had threatened.

The 15th tropical cyclone of a busy Atlantic hurricane season sank boats in harbors and knocked down trees and utility poles on Caribbean islands, according to reports from officials and residents throughout the vulnerable area.

It posed no threat to the United States