Attachments
A. SITUATION ANALYSIS
Description of the disaster
Hurricane Fiona was the first hurricane to directly impact the island of Hispaniola since Hurricane Jeanne in 2004.
On 19 September at 3:30 a.m., Hurricane Fiona entered the Dominican Republic as a category 1 with strong winds of up to 150 km/h and heavy rains, leading to landslides, fallen bridges, road blockages, power outages, interrupted telecommunications, and overflowing dams, among other effects. As detailed on the map below, twelve provinces suffered the most damage from Hurricane Fiona's passage through the country.
Summary of current response
The response actions were focused on the implementation of climate-smart livelihood projects that were developed using the NEAT+ assessments conducted in the affected communities, with these micro-projects addressing the communities Los Dos Ríos and Arroyo Santiago in the municipality of Miches, El Seibo Province, and the Guarapitos community in the municipality of Higüey, La Altagracia Province,
Shelter tool kits were distributed in the provinces of La Romana, El Seibó, San Pedro de Macorís, La Altagracia, Samaná and Monte Plata, where talks were given on the proper use of these tools.
Periodic monitoring and evaluation visits of field operations are being carried out, where the current needs of the communities are being assessed.
Throughout the execution of the emergency response activities caused by Hurricane Fiona, the National Society has maintained its information management area for the collection of information, analysis of information, creation of activity update reports and design of visual materials for the dissemination of information and activities carried out, information that has been continuously recorded on the IFRC's GO platform to inform stakeholders about the institution's actions.
Overview of Host National Society
The Dominican Red Cross activated and deployed national teams to carry out sectoral assessments and interventions in health, water, sanitation, and hygiene promotion and psychosocial support; especially in the provinces that were most impacted by Hurricane Fiona. This was in addition to the damage assessments and needs analysis that were being carried out in the different territories and the analysis of data from the National Epidemiological Surveillance System regarding acute communicable diseases and epidemic potential in the context of emergencies and disasters.
Prioritized actions in the context of the response to Hurricane Fiona included:
• The activation and deployment of evaluation and response teams in health (Health in Emergency), water, sanitation, and hygiene (Dominican Water and Sanitation Team), and psychosocial support (Mental Health and Psychosocial Support, MHPSS).
• Participation in multisectoral coordination spaces for the exchange of information on the health, water, and sanitation situation.
• Participation as liaison in the National Emergency Operations Centre and in the health sector group of the national and local Emergency Operations Center (EOC) through the health coordinators of the subsidiaries, including the exchange of information, meetings, press conferences, etc.
• Evaluation of the functionality of the water treatment plants prepositioned at headquarters (7), Elías Piña (1), and Santiago (2).
• Evaluation of the quality and conditions of water and sanitation infrastructures in possible shelters in Hato Mayor, San Cristóbal, and La Altagracia, in coordination with key actors.
• Evaluation of people's health conditions, quality and conditions of water and sanitation infrastructures in six shelters in Hato Mayor (1), María Trinidad Sánchez (1), San Pedro de Macorís (3) and Santo Domingo Este (1). In these shelters, psychological first aid has been provided to those affected.
• Communication with the presidents and health coordinators of the branches where people were in shelters in the provinces: Hato Mayor, La Altagracia, La Romana, San Pedro de Macorís, El Seibo, Monte Plata, San José de Ocoa, Samaná, María Trinidad Sánchez, Puerto Plata, and Sánchez Ramírez to better understand the situation and give corresponding recommendations (including rapid health assessment in shelters whenever possible).
• Verification of the availability of prepositioned water tanks and pool testers (residual chlorine and pH testers) to monitor water quality.
• Provide prepaid telephone services and fuel funds to the National Society's branches in La Altagracia and Samaná.