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In Brief
Appeal No. 21/04; Operations Update no. 5; Period covered: 14 - 16 September 2004; Appeal coverage: 18.4%; (the Contributions List available on the website is currently being updated).
Appeal history:
- Launched on 10 September 2004 for CHF 1,752,697 (USD 1,389,560 or EUR 1,137,899) for 6 months to assist 10,000 beneficiaries (2,000 families) in Grenada.
- Revised on 15 September 2004 for CHF 6,033,000 (USD 4,764,410 or EUR 3,910,502) for 6 months to assist 85,000 beneficiaries (17,000 families) in Grenada, Jamaica, the Cayman Islands and Cuba.
- Disaster Relief Emergency Funds (DREF) allocated: CHF 300,000.
Given the developing nature of this disaster, the preliminary revised appeal will be readjusted to respond to the needs from the passage of Hurricane Ivan in the Caribbean, in accordance with the results of on-going assessments. The Federation's approach to this operation and the strategy outlined in the appeal are intended to be flexible; donors are encouraged to provide timely suppo rt, with minimum earmarking.
Outstanding needs : CHF 4,920,833
Related Emergency or Annual Appeals: Related Emergency or Annual Appeals: Caribbean Annual Appeal (Appeal 01.52/2004), Pan American Disaster Response Unit (PADRU) Annual Appeal (Appeal 01.51/2004) Operational Summary: The distribution of relief supplies shipped to Grenada by the Federation is now well underway. Thus far, a total of 2,000 tarpaulins, 2,080 hygiene kits and 481 jerry cans have been distributed to beneficiaries in the parishes of St. George, St. John and St. David. A second consignment of relief supplies from the Pan American Disaster Response Unit arrived today, Thursday, 16 September, bringing 3,500 tarpaulins and 2,000 food crackers. A total of six teams have been organized to carry out distributions in the six parishes of the country. The teams, which are each made up of one regional intervention team (RIT) member and two Grenada Red Cross Society (GRCS) members, will carry out four distributions of relief items, beginning with food distributions. The following three distributions will include tarpaulins, hygiene kits, and water distributions: water purification tablets, jerry cans and water bottles. The Federation continues to assess the needs of beneficiaries housed in shelte rs, as well as others who require assistance who are living in the remains of their damaged homes. In Jamaica, assessments of damage and needs are ongoing. The worst-affected areas are on the southern coastal strip and western end of the island where in some areas as much as 80 per cent of housing has been destroyed. The Jamaica Red Cross (JRC) is carrying out distributions of goods to the estimated 11,000 people who continue to live in shelters. In the zones which were severely affected by Hurricane Ivan, there are problems with the water supply and concerns regarding sanitation. Red Cross volunteers are providing psychosocial support to the population housed in shelters. In the Cayman Islands, the majority of the islands remain without electricity, and water is gradually being restored. Assessments indicate that between 15 and 20 per cent of housing in the Cayman Islands has been totally destroyed. Those staying in shelters are being encouraged to register, as are those in need of assistance. In Cuba, 240,000 people continue to take refuge in shelters in Pinar del Río Province; shelters are staffed with Red Cross volunteers who assist with psychosocial support and shelter management. A plan of action for provision of relief assistance to 3,000 vulnerable families is being developed by the National Society.
In addition to the contributions received from the Canadian Red Cross and the Canadian Red Cross via the Canadian government, further funding has been pledged by the German government, the Irish government, the Netherlands government, the Swiss Red Cross via the Swiss government, together with a corporate donor.
Background
Hurricane Ivan, the most powerful hurricane to hit the Caribbean in ten years, moved through the region for more than a week, damaging homes, buildings and infrastructure, and causing at least 30 deaths thus far. The storm originated in the south eastern Caribbean where it gradually gathered in strength before moving towards populated land. Ivan was a category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale when it passed by Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago on Tuesday, 7 September killing one person in Tobago and one in Barbados. In the Grenadines, the islands of Carriacou, Palm Island and Petit Martinique experienced widespread damage. Populations in low lying coastal areas of Tobago were evacuated to shelters and over 560 people were accommodated in seven shelters on the island on Tuesday, 7 September; most schools and businesses were closed on both Trinidad and Tobago. The storm also damaged hundreds of homes and cut off utilities.
Ivan then strengthened into a category 4 hurricane as it hit Grenada on Tuesday evening, bringing sustained winds of 220 kilometres per hour. Several hundred people from low-lying areas of Saint George's, the Grenadian capital, were evacuated in anticipation of potential flooding. At least people died and approximately 90 percent of the country's homes sustained damage. Water, electricity and telephone services were all cut off. Approximately 60,000 people are in need of assistance and there are approximately 5 thousand people accommodated in 145 official and ad hoc shelters. The hurricane caused structural damage to nearly every major building in the Grenadian capital of Saint George's, including the island's emergency operations centre, prime minister's residence, several schools, the main hospital and a nearby prison. Also among the damaged buildings was the Grenada Red Cross Society headquarters. Given the situation of chaos following the hurricane strike, were major problems of looting. In response, a dusk-to-dawn curfew was put into effect and the Regional Security System was brought in to support local law enforcement authorities.
Ivan flooded parts of northern Venezuela at it moved northwest through the Caribbean Sea, killing at least one person. In addition, there are reports that four youths in the Dominican Republic were swept away by a giant wave Thursday, although the storm was still around 300 kilometres away at the time. In Haiti, temporary shelters were set up in Nippes and ten houses were damaged in the North West Department. In the South Department, 830 people were evacuated as a result of flooding from rivers in spate and temporary shelters were set up for 1,600 persons in five communes. The Haitian National Red Cross Society distributed hygiene kits to those evacuated.
Jamaica also sustained serious damage on Saturday, 11 September as a result of Hurricane Ivan, although the storm did not make direct landfall. The country was pounded with winds nearing 250 kilometres per hour, heavy rains and tidal surges, and 15 people were killed. There was extensive damage to roofs and roads, and downed trees and utility poles made several roads impassable. There were also reports of numerous landslides across the country. Electricity and water services were shut off pending further evaluations of the damage. Officials had urged 500,000 people to evacuate high-risk areas, but many residents chose to stay because of fears of looting.
The hurricane strengthened into a category 5 storm as it moved away from Jamaica, but then weakened again slightly to a category 4 storm before it began battering the Cayman Islands on Sunday, causing one death. The eye of the storm did not make direct landfall in the islands, but brought winds of 240 kilometres per hour. Heavy rains and winds continued throughout the day on Sunday and into the night, flooding parts of low-lying Grand Cayman Island. Most residents and visitors in high-risk areas had been evacuated or relocated to shelters. The Bodden Town Civic Centre, a designated shelter, collapsed at the height of the hurricane and the shelter occupants were evacuated in 155 mph winds. Some 90 per cent of the West Bay area of Grand Cayman suffered damage. The sewage system collapsed and the Eastern District was cut off.
Once again a category 5 storm, Hurricane Ivan moved towards western Cuba and the Yucatan Channel on Monday, 13 September. The Cuban Red Cross (CRC) kept the population constantly informed through a television spot entitled "What to do in case of a Hurricane". Eight provinces: Pinar del Río, Habana, Ciudad Habana, Matanzas, Villa Clara, Cienfuegos, Sancti Spiritus and the Municipality of Isla de la Juventud were on hurricane alert. The storm passed the western tip of the country on Monday night, bringing heavy rain and storm surges, with waves of up to three metres. The Federation's assistance and support to the Cuban Red Cross and the affected population in Cuba, in response to Hurricane Ivan, is separate and distinct from that reflected and planned in the response to Hurricane Charley (refer to the Federation Request for Assistance no. 20/2004 launched on 8 September, 2004).
In Mexico, hundreds of people abandoned fishing villages within the hurricane's projected path; some 5,000 people were ordered to evacuate islands and coastal areas along the peninsula, and 239 shelters were set up in Cancun to house residents and tourists. Fortunately, Hurricane Ivan's kept it far enough away from the peninsula to avoid causing any major damage.
After moving north through the Gulf of Mexico, Ivan made landfall in the southern United States during the early morning of Thursday, 16 September, where it caused at least 20 deaths before weakening to a tropical storm as it moved further inland. The worst damages were in the state of Florida, where Ivan created at least 12 tornadoes and storm surges of 10 to 16 feet. There were electrical outages throughout the affected area and it is estimated that it could take three weeks to restore power.
Operational developments
Grenada
The situation in Grenada is slowly starting to improve as the relief efforts are now getting underway. People whose houses have not been completely destroyed are beginning repairs, with the help of relief items supplied by the Red Cross. Food stocks are running low on the island and some areas in the capital city and in other parishes have limited or no access to clean drinking water. Stores in the country remain closed, but have limited amounts of food. However, Grenadians who live in neighbouring islands have being flying into the country on commercial flights with food supplies for their immediate families. In addition, as all the banks on the island are still closed, residents have no way of accessing money to purchase supplies. It is hoped that the largest banks will reopen on Thursday, 16 September.
Electricity in Grenada is still completely cut off. Most companies and businesses are still closed as they rely heavily on computers and electronic banking. Petrol stations are also closed as most require electricity to operate the pumps. However, stocks of fuel on the island are expected to be sufficient. Although aid agencies and local authorities are being supplied with fuel, this remains an obstacle for transporting relief supplies and personnel.
There is still no functioning media in Grenada, but the National Emergency Response Organization (NERO) has been operating a radio station for several days now using a generator. This radio station is being used to broadcast public announcements and information regarding family meetings. On neighbouring Caribbean islands, radio stations have also been broadcasting messages from distressed families searching for friends and relatives.
The number of Grenada Red Cross Society staff and volunteers assisting in the relief effort has been steadily increasing since the passage of the hurricane. Thus far, volunteers have played a key role in the logistics of the operation, including helping to move relief goods through customs at the airport, storing relief items in the warehouse and arranging for trucks to transport relief goods and personnel throughout the country.
Jamaica
Following assessments, it appears that the most extensive damage has occurred on the southern coastal strip and western end of the island. Clarendon Parish, in the south of the island where the eye of the hurricane made its closest approach to Jamaica, has sustained severe damage, and on the east and west of the Peninsula, storm surges and major flooding occurred; furthermore the Milk River burst its banks. Hurricane winds stripped trees bare, and numerous houses in the Parish were totally destroyed, leaving only the foundations. The town of Portland Cottage is one of the worst hit areas, and all its residents, estimated to number between 3,000 and 6,000 have been affected. Between 75 and 80 per cent of all houses have been either partially damaged or totally destroyed. The town of Rocky Point has also incurred significant damage. A government assessment states that 177 communities on the island have been affected by Hurricane Ivan. According to a United Nations UNDAC assessment, in Portland Parish, some 40 to 50 landslides have occurred, affecting between 30,000 and 50,000 people who currently have no access to food. A Federation assessment took place on 14 September in Clarendon, confirming that Portland Cottage and Rocky Point have sustained major damage and that in areas of Saint Elizabeth Parish, an estimated 30 per cent of houses have lost their roofs. No water has been available in this area since Thursday, 9 September. In Manchester Parish, between 15 and 20 per cent of infrastructure has been damaged and fishing areas have been destroyed by the hurricane; in Saint Catherine Parish, in the town of Old Harbour Bay, almost all roofing has been carried away by the hurricane winds.
A total of 278 shelters were opened in Jamaica during the passage of Hurricane Ivan, of which 100 are managed by the Jamaica Red Cross (JRC). To date, over 11,000 people remain accommodated in shelters given the damage to their homes. Electricity has yet to be restored in much of the island and access to water is currently difficult, particularly in the worst-affected areas where people are trying to collect water from broken pipes and from springs. In Kingston, it is estimated that 40 per cent of the water supply has been contaminated. The government is trucking in water supplies; however, it is not possible to meet all the needs. In the worst hit towns, pit latrines have been flooded and sanitation is therefore a concern. Crops have also been damaged, poultry farms swept away and the banana industry severely affected by the hurricane.
Cayman Islands
The National Hurricane Committee held a meeting on 15 September, and a meeting will now be held on a daily basis. Assessments carried out thus far indicate that between 15 and 20 per cent of the houses in the Cayman Islands have been totally destroyed; the worst damage occurred in Breakers, in the eastern part of Grand Cayman. An ad-hoc Cayman Islands Recovery Committee has been convened and the Ministry for Public Works has advertised for contractors to assist with recovery and repair work on the islands. At the hospital, repairs have begun and the water supply was restored. The water authority expects to restore water to parts of the islands soon, commencing with Georgetown. The majority of the island is still without electricity. Medical supplies are urgently required in the Cayman Islands and detailed lists of needs are being compiled. The Environmental Health Department is dealing with clearance of debris and has designated collection points in several districts. A curfew remains in place on the Cayman Islands from 7 pm to 6 am. Whilst most residents are obeying the curfew, isolated incidents of looting are being reported. One of the major problems is transportation since most vehicles were either damaged or have been water-logged as a result of the hurricane.
Cuba
In most of the Provinces in Cuba, life is slowly returning to normal; schools have opened and people are returning home. However, in the Province of Pinar del Río, many areas remain under water and there is no electricity, no water supply and no telephone communications. Over 240,000 people are still housed in shelters. The government is currently carrying out a full assessment of the situation throughout the country. In Pinar del Río, La Habana and the Isla de la Juventud, the Cuban Red Cross mobilized 1,065 volunteers and activated 34 search and rescue teams. Red Cross teams are providing psychological support to people who still remain in shelters, as well as first aid to those who need assistance. In conjunction with their communities, Red Cross volunteers are working to facilitate clean-up campaigns to clear debris and facilitate drainage of flood waters.
In Grenada, the Federation team is currently composed of: a three member Field Assessment and Coordination Team (FACT), a three member British logistics Emergency Response Unit (ERU), five Regional Intervention Team (RIT) members, the regional IT coordinator from the Panama Regional Delegation, the head of the Regional Finance Unit (RFU) and a member of the RFU personnel. The Federation team in Jamaica is made up of three FACT team members, a team leader, a relief delegate and a logistician, together with an additional logistics specialist, a water and sanitation delegate, a disaster management expert from the Secretariat, a reporting and information delegate, a finance delegate and an analyst from the RFU. The Panama Regional Delegation's health delegate and a representative of the British Red Cross have been deployed to the Cayman Islands. Working in Cuba are a water and sanitation delegate and a logistician from PADRU, as well as a telecommunications expert from Ericsson Response.
For further information specifically related to this operation please contact:
- In Grenada: Mr Terry Charles, Director General, Grenada Red Cross Society email: grercs@caribsurf.com
- In Jamaica, Ms. Yvonne Clarke, Director General, email; yvonneclarke@jamaicaredcross.org; phone (1 876) 984 7860; fax; (1 876) 984 8272
- In the Cayman Islands, Mrs. Jondo Malafa Obi, Director, phone (1 345) 917 2345
- In Cuba: Cuban Red Cross, Dr. Luis Foyo Ceballos, Executive President; email,crsn@infoed.sld.cu phone (1 537) 269 0100;
- In Grenada: Benoit Porte, FACT Team Leader, e-mail facteam02@ifrc.org phone (33) 683 456022;
- In Jamaica, Stephen McAndrew, Operations Support Department, e-mail stephen.mcandrew@ifrc.org
- In Cuba, Cristina Estrada, Regional Information Delegate, phone (537) 269 0103
- In Trinidad and Tobago: Julian Gore-Booth, Sub Regional Coordinator, e-mail ifrctt06@ifrc.org phone (1868) 627 2665; Fax (1868) 627 9627
- In Panama, Nelson Castaño, Pan American Disaster Response Unit e-mail In Panama: Nelson Castaño; email ifrcpa07@ifrc.org, phone (507) 316-1001, fax (507) 316-1082
- In Geneva: Olaug Bergseth, Americas Department, e-mail olaug.berseth@ifrc.org; phone (41 22) 730 4535; fax (41 22) 733 0395
- In Geneva: Eva Calvo, Strategic Communications, e-mai; eva.calvo@ifrc.org; phone (41 22) 730 4357; fax (41 22) 733 0395
All International Federation assistance seeks to adhere to the Code of Conduct and is committed to the Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response in delivering assistance to the most vulnerable. For support to or for further information concerning Federation programmes or operations in this or other countries, or for a full description of the national society profile, please access the Federation's website at http://www.ifrc.org
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