ACT Appeal Haiti: Emergency Response to Hurricanes Fay, Gustav, Hanna, Ike - LAHT 81

Appeal Target: US$ 1,295,152

Balance Requested from ACT Alliance US$ 644,055

Geneva, 14 November 2008

Dear Colleagues,

From August 15 to September 8, 2008 all 10 departments of Haiti were hit by 1 or more of 4 tropical storms and hurricanes, namely Fay, Gustav, Hanna and Ike. The damage was extensive. According to the official statistics (Updated 1.10.2008), 793 people were killed, and 310 persons are reported missing. Altogether 165,337 families have been affected, 22,702 houses destroyed and 84,625 damaged. School opening which was due on September 8th has been postponed by government decree for one month due to complete/partial destruction of school structures severely hit by landslides (mud), affecting at least 40,000 children. In addition, many schools are still being used as temporary shelters.

Agricultural land and crops of corn, rice, banana, potato and beans have been destroyed as well as has access to agricultural areas. Losses in livestock (cattle, poultry and other domestic animals) are significant. Infrastructure, such as water and sanitation, telephone and electrical systems, roads and bridges were damaged making access to many areas impossible and hampering both aid efforts, economic activities, access to food and markets as well as health care.

The ACT alliance responded to the disaster as soon as it was possible to reach out to the population. Action has however, been hampered by a series of subsequent Hurricanes. ACT CO had issued a preliminary appeal soon after the last Hurricane Ike hit Haiti which allowed ACT members to assess the first degree of the emergency. The members have worked out their proposals on detailed assessments.

Christian Aid plans interventions together with its implementing partners KORAL, GRAMIR and VETERIMED. KORAL will assist 2,260 families (11,300 individuals) in the departments of West, South and Nippes with providing with scholarships, school material, seeds, tools and animals. GRAMIR will assist 2,000 farmer families with distribution of seed, tools and training in farming and breeding methods. VETERIMED will help 120 families providing animals and training in breeding. Christian Aid will assist its partners in training of Disaster Risk Reduction activities.

LWF has already started implementation of some of its activities together with its implementing partners CODAB, FPH, CHAAB and SCH consisting of distribution relief items and cleaning of water sources for 1,300 families in Vaudreuil-Moléart, South East, Forêt-des-Pins, Cabaret, and Bokozel. LWF plans to rehabilitate

secondary roads connecting the households to markets in the South East Department, to rehabilitate and clean schools in Gonaives, and to protect water catchment in the South East Department. Further, LWF will rehabilitate wells in schools, repair and clean latrines and school infrastructure in Gonaives. In addition, LWF partner SCH will repair 120 houses and distribute seeds to affected farmers. The number of beneficiaries amount to a minimum of 30,000 persons.

HEKS/ EPER plans to implement activities together with its implementing partners

GRAMIR/ ROPAGA to the benefit of 965 families, providing support to rehabilitation of homes, replanting of crops and supply of tools for farmers and beekeepers.

Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe (DKH) plans to repair damaged houses benefiting 600 families, rehabilitate damaged school buildings for 900 school children, and provide payments of school fees for 150 children.

The appeal has been fully coordinated among ACT members at the ACT forum. Members adhere to the Code of Conduct of Humanitarian Aid. They will monitor and evaluate the implementation at peer level and make sure that duplication be avoided.

Project Completion Date:

Christian Aid: 30 September 2009
Lutheran World Federation: 31 July 2009
EPER / HEKS: 31 July 2009
Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe: 15 April 2009