The countries of Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) are highly vulnerable to a range of natural hazards, includ-ing droughts, earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, landslides, and volcanic eruptions. At times, El Niño meteorological events and poor land use management exacerbate the effects of potential hazards. Several countries in the re-gion also remain vulnerable to civil unrest and associated humanitarian impacts. Between Fiscal Year (FY) 2002 and FY 2011, USAID’s Office of U.S.

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No.1257/96 of 20 June 1996 concerning humanitarian aid( 1), and in particular Articles 2 (f), 4 and 15(2) thereof;

Having regard to Council Decision 2001/822/EC of 27 November 2001 on the association of the overseas countries and territories with the European Community ('Overseas Association Decision(2)), and in particular Articles 21 and 30 thereof:

Whereas:

(1) The Caribbean Region is exposed to

Since the programme was launched in 1996

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

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,