Saint Barthélemy (France)

Executive Summary

The year 2017 was poignantly marked by numerous humanitarian dramas around the world. From devastating natural disasters to deadly conflicts, Télécoms Sans Frontières has remained mobilised and adapted its response to the specific needs of the affected populations, introducing new and innovative means of providing communications aid.

The situation

In 2017, EM-DAT data indicates that 318 natural disasters occurred, affecting 122 countries. The impact of which resulted in 9,503 deaths, 96 million people affected, and US$314 billion in economic damages.

The human impact of natural disasters in 2017 was much lower than the last 10 year average, where events with extremely high mortality occurred, such as the 2010 earthquake in Haiti (225,570 deaths) and the 2008 Nargis Cyclone in Myanmar (138,400 deaths).

Reconstruire peut prendre du temps, 6 mois après l’ouragan qui s’est abattu sur les Antilles, les actions d’accompagnement à long terme des populations sont plus que jamais nécessaires. La Croix-Rouge française positionnée dès le début de la catastrophe a également rappelé l’importance du soutien de post-urgence. Ces catastrophes climatiques cycliques poussent les intervenants à renforcer la préparation des acteurs locaux et à développer des dispositifs de réponse à l’urgence et de réduction des risques.

Key findings

• UN agencies, NGOs, and government employees sharing the same workspace helped collaboration and information sharing.

• Sector-specific and cross-sector coordination meetings allowed agencies and government actors to share information that reduced delays and increased collaboration between actors.

• The lack of reliable baseline data greatly hampered efforts and delayed carrying out assessments and distributions properly during the response.

La réflexion menée sur le renforcement des capacités de la Croix-Rouge française et sur la mise en place d’un dispositif de réduction des risques récurrents de catastrophes concerne toute la zone des Antilles. En effet, celle-ci est exposée aux ouragans, séismes, inondations, et est d’autant plus vulnérable qu’elle est composée de nombreuses petites îles isolées.

Summary

A month after Hurricane Irma struck the Caribbean, humanitarian efforts across all islands are still responding to the devastation. However, more efforts are required to help the countries’ transition to long-term recovery. This revised version of the Regional Response Plan (launched on 15 September 2017) is based on updates from completed assessments and the most recent information.

Près de deux mois après le passage de l’ouragan Irma, chacun conserve à l’esprit les images d’un drame meurtrier : des maisons balayées, des populations privées d’eau potable et d’électricité, des écoles détruites, des centres de soins submergés. Oui, dans la nuit du 5 au 6 septembre dernier, les Caraïbes et singulièrement Saint-Martin et Saint Barthélémy, étaient confrontées à l’une des épreuves les plus terribles de leur histoire.

WMO report highlights impacts on human safety, well-being and environment

6 November 2017 (WMO) - It is very likely that 2017 will be one of the three hottest years on record, with many high-impact events including catastrophic hurricanes and floods, debilitating heatwaves and drought. Long-term indicators of climate change such as increasing carbon dioxide concentrations, sea level rise and ocean acidification continue unabated. Arctic sea ice coverage remains below average and previously stable Antarctic sea ice extent was at or near a record low.

Un rapport de l'OMM met en évidence les répercussions sur la santé humaine, la qualité de vie et l'environnement

AMOUNT: EUR 16 800 000

The ECDC Communicable Disease Threats Report (CDTR) is a weekly bulletin for epidemiologists and health professionals on active public health threats. This issue covers the period 24-30 September 2017 and includes updates on typhoid fever, West Nile fever and chikungunya.

Highlights

• Initial reports from the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) indicate that 15 people are confirmed to have died in Dominica during Hurricane Maria, and at least 16 people are missing.
  This figure may rise as contact is made with cut-off communities.
  There is no electricity, very limited communications and a widespread shortage of food and water. An estimated 98 per cent of roofs were partially or totally destroyed, and 50 per cent of housing frames damaged.

13 Days that changed the Caribbean

This document has been prepared to provide information to Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies, the IFRC and their partners on the CARICOM institutional and legal framework for regional humanitarian response in case of disaster, which is currently being tested in the context of the response to Category 5 Hurricane IRMA and Category 4 Hurricane MARIA that strongly impacted the Caribbean region.