ReliefWeb

Highlights

• On 19 October, the Royal Netherlands Naval ship HNLMS Karel Doorman arrived in Roseau, Dominica, carrying more than 100 metric tonnes of shelter materials for IOM’s roofing programme as well as food relief. Supplies will enable launching the first phase of roofing repair support to 300 vulnerable households in the coming days.

• The first round of DTM rapid site assessments in Dominica was completed on 15 October and the report and related information products are available at www.globaldtm.info/dominica. Out of 102 sites assessed, 63 occupied sites were found to be housing 1,863 individuals in 361 households.

• In Cuba, the first shipment of IOM NFIs to be distributed to people affected by Hurricane Irma has arrived in the Port of Mariel. The shipment consisting of 2,800 mattresses and 2,800 sheets, is destined for Villa Clara Province. Additionally, 244 250-litre water tanks are on the way to the Port of Mariel and are expected to arrive in the country at the end of October.

Situation Overview

Significant damage was caused to homes by Hurricane Irma’s impact on Cuba. The province of Ciego de Ávila was heavily affected: 47.4 per cent of homes were damaged in Chambas, 38.4 per cent in Bolivia, 29.3 per cent in Moron and more than 50 per cent in Júcaro. Displaced persons remain in temporary shelters in Sancti Spíritus, Villa Clara and Ciego de Ávila provinces.

In Dominica, the first round of rapid site assessments was conducted in 102 collective centres using the Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) from 11–15 October. Out of 102 sites assessed, 63 were found to be open and housing 1,863 individuals in 361 households. Nine sites were not assessed due to extreme weather conditions. These sites will be prioritised in the second round of assessments scheduled to begin on 23 October.

Due to heavy rains between 16–17 October, the first phase of school reopening in Dominica, originally scheduled for 16 October, was postponed. Eleven secondary schools reopened on 18 October and 20 primary schools are scheduled to open on 23 October. IOM, UNICEF and other partners are assisting the Government of Dominica to develop a plan for voluntary returns and alternative shelter solutions for displaced individuals hosted in schools serving as collective centres.

District Development Officers and Social Welfare Officers began to submit the damage and needs assessment forms completed at village level across the country. IOM is digitizing the forms to enable timely processing and analysis of the information, which will facilitate beneficiary selection and prioritization.

Dominica’s Ministry of Housing, in collaboration with UNDP, will begin a building damage assessment this week to inform the emergency shelter and housing strategy. Data will be made available to IOM and other shelter partners to assist the coordination and provision of shelter assistance.