By David Singh

GENEVA, 15 June 2012 - As the 2012 Atlantic Hurricane Season kicks off, all 16 member governments of the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF) have committed for the sixth year in a row to renew their hurricane and earthquake insurance for 2012-2013 and earned themselves a 25% premium rebate.

PANORAMA GENERAL

Existe evidencia científica que confirma que el cambio climático ha incrementado la intensidad de las tormentas tropicales y sus efectos sobre la elevación de la temperatura atmosférica y de la superficie del mar. Si este comportamiento continúa agudizándose, en las próximas décadas, los países de la región - particularmente América Central, la Región Andina y el Caribe, estarán expuestas a precipitaciones más fuertes y sequías más severas.

DESTACADOS:

 CARIBE: En una semana 3 ciclones afectaron la región y a México, donde tres estados están en alerta por lluvias.

 MÉXICO: Lluvias no asociadas a la temporada de huracanes han afectado a unas 40,000 personas.

 BRASIL: Casi 1 millón de afectados por lluvias, 37 municipios en alerta

DESTACADOS:

• BAHAMAS: IFRC asignó fondos por US$88,600, mientras la OPS emitió un llamamiento por US$400,000.

• GUATEMALA: Unas 1,430 personas afectadas por lluvias, 245 casas con daños.

• HONDURAS: Un fuerte oleaje afecta a 375 personas

Bahamas, September 1, 2011 (PAHO/WHO)- The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and The Bahamas and Turk and Caicos health authorities are launching an appeal for international assistance to help 220,000 people, that were affected by Hurricane Irene last week.

The goal of this appeal is to reduce the public health impact of Hurricane Irene on the affected population of these islands.

Message: Damage Assessments being conducted in severely impacted Family Islands of Acklins, Mayaguana and Cat Island; Turks and Caicos Islands returns to state of normalcy.

Event Hurricane Irene, initially a Category 2 and then a Category 3 storm, passed over the Bahamas from August 23rd to August 26th 2011. Irene passed over almost the entire chain of islands causing significant damage in some islands. Hurricane Irene also passed over the Turks and Caicos Islands on August 24th 2011 as a Category One hurricane resulting in severe flooding.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• BAHAMAS: Over 1,380 people were evacuated due to Hurricane Irene.

• DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: Hurricane Irene left 4 dead and more than 37,740 people evacuated.

• PUERTO RICO: The economic impact of Hurricane Irene is estimated at US$130 millions.

• GUATEMALA: Heavy rains have affected 685 people in three departments in the country.

Message: Hurricane Irene was a initially a Category 2 and then a Category 3 storm which passed over the Bahamas from August 23rd to August 26th 2011. Irene passed over almost the entire chain of islands causing significant damage in some islands. Hurricane Irene also passed over the Turks and Caicos Islands on August 24th 2011 as a Category One hurricane resulting in severe flooding.

Bridgetown, Barbados, August 25, 2011 (CDEMA) - CDEMA will be leading the CARICOM aerial reconnaissance team over Turks and Caicos Islands and the southeastern islands of the Bahamas to get a first hand overview of the damage done by Hurricane Irene.