BACKGROUND:
Hurricane Georges traveled through the eastern part of the Caribbean during the evening of September 20 and the morning of September 21, causing loss of life and damage to St. Kitts and Nevis and Antigua and Barbuda. Continuing on its path across the Caribbean, Georges then struck the Dominican Republic and Haiti on September 22, causing additional fatalities and extensive damage.
Eastern Caribbean:
St. Kitts and Nevis: In St. Kitts, there are five confirmed deaths as a result of Hurricane Georges. According to a preliminary damage assessment conducted by the St. Kitts National Emergency Management Agency, Hurricane Georges caused approximately $445 million worth of damage. The northern and western areas are hardest hit and the southern tip (a major tourist site) has sustained some damage. The pier and berthing platform of the main seaport in Bassterre is destroyed and repairs are estimated to cost $60 million. Phone services were completely disrupted throughout the entire island and electricity was partially curtailed. Both are currently being restored. Reservoirs were also damaged, and lack of electricity has hindered the distribution of water. Sixty percent of homes are damaged and 25% are destroyed, thus displacing 2,500 people who are taking refuge with friends and relatives. Many schools, commercial businesses, and public buildings (including the main hospital) are damaged -- mainly as a result of lost roofing. Approximately 6,000 workers are unemployed and 8,500 students are unable to go to school. The airport sustained 25% damage to its main terminal and control tower, but is able to operate during daylight hours. In the agricultural sector, 50% of the 1999 sugar harvest is suspected to be lost. Several major hotels are severely damaged, possibly affecting the tourist industry for many months to come. Despite the extent of damage on St. Kitts, life is returning to normal with the reopening of banks, businesses, restaurants, and markets.
In Nevis, the National Disaster Coordinator reports many slight injuries but no deaths (except for the loss of several hundred livestock). In addition, it reports $1 million worth of damage to the electrical system and $2.5 million worth of damage to the agricultural sector. Damage to dwellings is less severe in Nevis than in St. Kitts. No homes were destroyed and only 30-40 (10-15%) received minor damage to roofing. Several schools and hotels also sustained damage and many beaches were eroded. Phone and water services have been restored in many areas. The availability of electricity continues to be a problem and damage to the electrical system is hampering the distribution of water.
Antigua and Barbuda: In Antigua and Barbuda, three people are dead and two people are seriously injured as a direct result of Hurricane Georges. According to the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, 3,338 people remain homeless on the two islands and most of these persons continue to stay with friends and relatives. The government also estimates that 783 homes have minor damages, 979 homes have major damages, and 390 homes are completely destroyed. In Antigua, many businesses, the airport, and the main hospital are damaged. The towns along the southern Antiguan coast are most severely affected -- five areas have been declared disaster areas (Fire Island, All Saints, Liberta, Bolan, and Crab Hill). Most damage in these areas is in the low- and middle-income areas. Electricity is only available in the capital and many homes and businesses are running on generators. The lack of electricity continues to make the supply of water a major problem. Local emergency authorities are trucking water into the affected communities and, in conjunction with Jamaica and Trinidad and Tabago, are working to restore power throughout the country. As of September 25, only 50% of the phone lines were functional.
In Barbuda, the government puts the estimated cost of damage at $160 million. One school and two hotels are seriously damaged; however the hospital and airport are only minimally damaged. The island remains without power and has partial phone service.
Dominican Republic: Reports of hurricane-related damages continue to vary. Figures from the State Secretary's Public Health and Welfare Office indicate 208 deaths and 134,836 displaced persons in the Dominican Republic, whereas the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) reports 865,510 displaced and 400,000 homeless persons. The final death toll is almost certain to exceed 500, given hundreds of missing persons following flash flooding throughout the country. The areas hardest hit by the hurricane include La Romana in the east, San Juan de la Maguana in the central-western part of the country, and San Cristobal to the west of Santo Domingo. Poor neighborhoods (where heavy wind damage and flooding occurred) and the isolated interior of the country face critical shortages of food, water, and shelter. PAHO is also concerned that these areas are susceptible to waterborne diseases, malaria, and dengue fever, and has identified DPT inoculations as a high priority. Telephone services are limited throughout the country, but functional in Santo Domingo. The commercial airport also is not operating at full capacity; only military aircraft and non-commercial flights are allowed to land at this time. Infrastructure damage includes schools, hospitals, health clinics, homes, and municipal water systems. In addition, approximately 100% of the road network and 60% of the bridges are damaged, thus hampering the ability of relief workers to assess damage and carry out relief operations. Electricity is out in areas throughout the country and indications are that it will not be restored to full capacity in Santo Domingo for at least one month. It will be several months before electricity is restored to full capacity elsewhere. President Leonel Fernandez estimates that the total amount of damage to the power system equals $1.2 billion. The Dominican Secretary of Agriculture has released a conservative estimate (based on incomplete data) of $260 million worth of damage to the agricultural sector. This figure reflects 90% destruction of the agricultural sector: the banana, fruit, rice, and sugar crops have been essentially wiped out; most poultry and small ruminants have been lost; and pasture and grain crops for large animals have been destroyed. In addition, no new crop production is anticipated for at least four months. The Dominican Tourism Association indicates that far less (only 5-10%) of the country's tourism facilities were damaged than originally feared.
Haiti: The Haitian Civil Protection Directorate reports 87 deaths (and 62 additional unconfirmed deaths), 29 serious injuries, and 9 missing persons. The actual death toll in Haiti may never be known due to the country's poor communication network and lack of infrastructure. Port au Prince was left relatively unscathed, except for flooding in the low-lying area of Cite Soleil and damage to the main commercial port. Jacmel, Cap-Hatien, Gonaives, and the north are also in less immediate need than other parts of the country. The main areas of concern are: 1) Artibonite (the country's breadbasket), where heavy flooding has damaged 3/4 of this September's rice crop; and 2) Leogane, where 25,000 persons are displaced from neighboring flood-prone areas and in need of short-term relief assistance. Throughout the country, an unspecified number of homes are damaged as a result of high winds and flash floods. The International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies reports that at least 4,500 people are homeless. The U.S. Embassy reports that losses in the agricultural sector equal $179 million. This figure includes crop and livestock loss and damage to the irrigation system. In addition, the October rice-planting season, which accounts for 60% of Haiti's annual rice production, is almost certain to be affected by continued flooding in the Artibonite Valley. Preliminary overflight assessments suggested that the Peligre Dam (located on the Artibonite River in the Central Plateau) was unable to accommodate flood waters as a result of the storm -- thus endangering tens of thousands of lives and the country's food security. However, a more detailed assessment by Haitian authorities indicated that the dam was under no direct threat. The Government of Haiti has not requested USG assistance to continue monitoring and assessing the dam's condition.
USG ASSISTANCE:
Eastern Caribbean: U.S. Chargé d'Affaires Philip Jones declared a disaster for St. Kitts and Nevis and Antigua and Barbuda on September 23 in response to damage sustained by Hurricane Georges. A BHR/OFDA-chartered aircraft delivered 500 rolls of plastic sheeting to Antigua on September 25 in follow-up to the disaster declaration. Ninety rolls remained in Antigua, ten went to Barbuda, 300 went to St. Kitts, and 100 went to Nevis. In addition, BHR/OFDA delivered 2,000 five-gallon water jugs and ten 3,000-gallon water bladders for the affected countries. All relief supplies have been delivered to disaster-stricken areas by government authorities. A three-person BHR/OFDA assessment team (consisting of a BHR/OFDA Regional Advisor and two Miami-Dade Fire and Rescue personnel) arrived in St. Kitts on September 22. Another BHR/OFDA assessment team comprised of three Miami-Dade personnel arrived in Antigua on September 23. Both assessment teams assisted in off-loading relief supplies and carried out in-country training in the use of plastic sheeting. Both teams have completed their missions and have finalized their recommendations for further BHR/OFDA assistance. In response to the team's specific recommendations, BHR/OFDA contributed $150,000 to PAHO's Appeal for emergency assistance to the eastern Caribbean. The U.S. Embassy in Bridgetown will continue to monitor the post-hurricane situation in the eastern Caribbean and will work with BHR/OFDA and the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Relief Agency (CDERA) to coordinate response. (Note: BHR/OFDA has an existing relationship with CDERA in which over $4.2 million has been spent to promote vulnerability reduction through the introduction of appropriate building standards and codes, mitigation policy, planning, and hazard mapping. In addition, the U.S. military has an existing agreement with CDERA in the amount of $1.3 million to provide excess supplies to stockpiles in the Caribbean for use during emergencies).
Dominican Republic: U.S. Chargé d'Affaires Linda Watt declared a disaster for the Dominican Republic on September 23 in response to damage sustained by Hurricane Georges. In response, BHR/OFDA provided $25,000 to support the purchase of chainsaws, emergency construction materials, and water purification supplies. In addition, BHR/OFDA chartered three flights to deliver relief supplies, including 410 rolls of plastic sheeting, 100 body bags, 2,000 five-gallon water jugs, 10 water bladders, and 24 chainsaws. Two of the chartered flights arrived on September 25 and a third arrived on September 26. The Dominican Red Cross is coordinating the distribution of all BHR/OFDA relief supplies. A six-person BHR/OFDA assessment team (including USAID Assistant Administrator Hugh Parmer) arrived in Santo Domingo on September 25, and immediately began its work. In addition to assessing damage and current needs, the assessment team is training people on how to use plastic sheeting. Initial aerial surveys conducted by the assessment team show significant damage to roofs across the country, confirming the need for more plastic sheeting and/or other roofing materials. Based upon the specific recommendations of the assessment team, another 100 rolls of BHR/OFDA plastic sheeting were delivered to Santo Domingo on September 27 via U.S. military aircraft. BHR/OFDA is also funding the deployment of eight helicopters (2 Chinooks and 6 Blackhawks) to assist in the delivery of relief supplies to affected areas and to conduct overflight assessments. The helicopters are being provided by DOD's Southern Command at a cost of $1.2 million for a duration of two weeks. On September 29, BHR/OFDA contributed $300,000 to PAHO's Appeal for emergency assistance to the Dominican Republic and transferred $40,000 to the USAID Mission to support a U.S. Peace Corps program to deliver 21,000 bags of pre-packaged food to hurricane victims. The provision of additional BHR/OFDA assistance to the Dominican Republic will be based upon the continuing recommendations from the assessment team. A VIP delegation consisting of USAID Administrator Brian Atwood, three Cabinet members, ten congressmen, White House aids, and several staffers visited the Dominican Republic and Haiti on September 30. The delegates observed U.S. relief efforts, conduct overflights of affected areas, and meet with senior government officials in each country. This delegation is in addition to a six-person congressional delegation that arrived in Santo Domingo on September 27.
Haiti: Ambassador Michael Carney declared a disaster for Haiti on September 23 in response to damage sustained by Hurricane Georges. In response, BHR/OFDA provided $25,000 to the U.S. Embassy for immediate disaster needs. The funds are being used 1) to supply potable water to hurricane victims in Port Au Prince, Cap-Haitien, and Leogane; and 2) to pay for aerial survey of the most affected areas. Aerial surveys are being conducted by the USAID Mission -- in cooperation with the Government of Haiti, World Food Program, and Adventist Development and Relief Agency. A BHR/OFDA Regional Advisor arrived in Haiti on September 25 to assist with assessment efforts and to coordinate BHR/OFDA assistance. Based on the specific recommendations of this Advisor, BHR/OFDA delivered two airlifts of relief supplies (including 200 rolls of plastic sheeting, 1,000 five-gallon water jugs, and 5,000 polyester blankets) on September 28 and 29. On September 29, BHR/OFDA contributed $300,000 to PAHO's Appeal for emergency assistance to Haiti. USAID Mission representatives and other humanitarian organizations on the ground indicate that immediate food and water needs are being met. Additional BHR/OFDA assistance to Haiti will be based on the Regional Advisor's recommendations, which are currently being reviewed and coordinated by BHR/OFDA.
BHR/OFDA Humanitarian Assistance: $2,465,927