Ref: OCHA/GVA - 2004/153
OCHA Situation Report No. 12
Hurricane Ivan - Cuba
21 September 2004
1. The United Nations Resident Coordinator's Office provides summarized information on the situation in Cuba after the passage of Hurricane Ivan. The hurricane went through la Isla de la Juventud before landing on the extreme western part of the Pinar del Rio province on 13 September. Flooding occurred in the coastal villages of la Coloma, Boca de Falafre and Punta de Cartas. The force of the hurricane has severely impacted 85 per cent of the Guanahacabibes Peninsula, a great biosphere reserve. Nineteen beaches of the peninsula have suffered damage.

2. Some 2 million people were evacuated to 2,492 shelters. In the Pinar del Rio, 234,000 people have not yet returned to home and another 8,000 people do not have access to water. Rehabilitation and reconstruction of housing units are urgently needed. In addition, 649 houses in the province of Santiago de Cuba sustained damage. Hurricane Ivan caused damage to bananas and citrus fruits, totaling 13,978 tons. Ivan also destroyed 308 electric poles, cutting power supply of the western region.

3. The Ministry of Education has reported that 251 schools have been affected, with partial or total damage to roofs, windows, doors as well as furniture and equipment. 8 schools were totally destroyed.

4. Requirements for affected population

• Basic items (mattresses, sheets, towels, sanitary napkins, diapers, kitchen utensils and personal hygiene products)
• Water and sanitation (chlorine tablets, water recipients and containers)
• Health (medical kits)
• Assistance for community efforts and psycho-social assistance

5. Rehabilitation needs

• Technical evaluation of damaged houses
• Restoration of damaged houses
• Relocation and reconstruction of destroyed houses
• Rehabilitation of health and education facilities
• Restoration of public infrastructure (markets and energy sector)
• Assistance for community efforts and training for rehabilitation tasks
• Rehabilitation of agricultural production (seeds and plantations)

6. It has to be underlined that the southern coast of the western Cuba, la Isla de la Juventud and the province of la Habana were already affected by the passage of Hurricane Charley on 13 August.

7. OCHA is in close contact with the United Nations Resident Coordinator's Office in Cuba and will revert with further information as it becomes available.

8. For further information, please refer to the Website of the National Hurricane Service in Miami at www.nhc.noaa.gov, and www.solar.ifa.hawaii.edu/Tropical/Gif/atl.latest.gif

9. This situation report, together with further information on other ongoing emergencies is also available on the OCHA Internet Website at http://www.reliefweb.int.

Telephone: +41-22-917 12 34
Fax: +41-22-917 00 23
E-mail: ochagva@un.org

In case of emergency only:
Tel. +41-22-917 20 10

Desk Officers:

Mr. Ricardo Mena
E-mail: menar@un.org
Direct Tel. +41-22-917 1455

Ms. Masayo Kondo
E-mail: kondo@un.org
Direct Tel. +41-22-917 1977

Press contact:

(GVA) Ms. Elizabeth Byrs direct Tel. +41-22-917 2653
(N.Y.) Ms. Stephanie Bunker direct Tel. +1-917-367 51 26