Period covered by this Ops Update: 13 November to 27 December 2012.
Appeal target (current): 1,211,693 Swiss francs in kind, cash or services.
Appeal coverage: 34%

Appeal history: This Emergency Appeal was launched on 30 October 2012 to seek 1,211,693 Swiss francs in cash, in-kind, or services to support the Jamaica Red Cross (JRC) to assist 3,400 families (17,000 beneficiaries) that were affected by Hurricane Sandy for a 9-month period. The operation is scheduled for completion on 30 July 2013, with its final report presented within three months of the closing date of this operation. Hurricane Sandy, which reached Jamaica, in late October 2012 caused one death and led to the destruction of homes and agricultural crops. Some homes were completely destroyed and the roofs of others incurred severe damage. In addition to the loss of personal belongings from these homes, subsistence crops (sugar cane, banana, plantain) and family orchards were also ruined. The Jamaica Red Cross received 150,000 Swiss francs on 29 October 2012 to respond to the immediate needs in the parishes affected by Hurricane Sandy through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies’ (IFRC) Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF). The IFRC, in the name of the Jamaica Red Cross, sincerely thanks the generous donors to the DREF and encourages others to contribute to this operation.

Summary: Hurricane Sandy, as a category 1 storm, reached South-eastern Jamaica on 24 October 2012.The hurricane caused one fatality and injured others. Fallen trees blocked several roads and made some communities inaccessible. Hospitals, clinics and health centres also suffered damage. The hurricane destroyed houses and led to collapsed roofs in Portland and the Mount Pleasant area. Local flooding as a result of the hurricane was reported in Pamphret and Port Maria where families were forced to evacuate to community centres.

Teams from the Jamaica Red Cross and the Ministry of Labour Social Services (MLSS) conducted assessments and relief distributions in the most affected parishes. During this operation, humanitarian distributions were organized for the most vulnerable households. As of the closing date for this reporting period, 2,336 families had received non food items (NFIs) and 686 families had received food parcels from the prepositioned contingency stock in line with the SPHERE standards. A local private company, Grace Kennedy Limited, donated food which the National Society organized, packed and distributed to 300 additional families.