Caribbean Hurricane Season OCHA Situation Report No. 19

This situation report is based on information received from, the UN Emergency Technical Team (UNETT) in the affected countries, the Regional Office in Panama and the National Hurricane Centre. This situation report covers the effects of storms and Hurricanes "Gustav" and "Ike" in the Caribbean.

HIGHLIGHTS

The Haiti Appeal is only 4.3 % funded and needs urgent support. The relocation of those displaced remains a concern only days away from the start of the school year.

SITUATION

1. The vulnerability throughout the Caribbean countries has increased dramatically with another two months left before the end of the hurricane season. There is no report of immediate threat of storms or hurricane in the Caribbean at the moment.

2. Only little rain can have serious consequences. The region has been battered since 15 August successively by tropical storms ("Fay" and "Hanna") and hurricanes "Gustav" and "Ike" affecting more than 3 million persons and damaging more than 600,000 houses.

HAITI

3. According to weather forecasts issued by the national meteorological centre, the low-pressure system of last week (tropical storm Kyle) headed now north. Although the red alert raised last week was lifted, populations living in areas at risk must continue to comply with the advisory instructions in case of bad weather.

4. There are 131,421 affected families (657,105 persons), and a total of 111,391 displaced persons throughout the country according to latest estimates. Their relocation remains a big concern only days away from the start of the school year. The "Comité Thematique de Gestion des Abris Provisoires" is expecting to receive from the Department of Civil Protection, an action plan for the evacuation of the people occupying the temporary shelters. While road travel remains disrupted by damaged dikes, collapsed bridges, flooded roads and landslides, inter-agency efforts to strengthen the dike structure are underway (cash-for-work programs). An updated overview of the road conditions is reflected in the enclosed UNJLC map.

5. Colossal damages to the agricultural sector are reported. Damaged infrastructure should be repaired before the next agricultural season in December. However, local populations anticipate a possible food shortage in October due to largely devastated crops.

6. The health status of the affected populations cannot be fully determined at this point due to the lack of available baseline data. However, sporadic cases of malaria, dengue, watery diarrhea and skin conditions have been reported, particularly among children under age 5. WHO and Oxfam report possible high risks of water-borne diseases derived from precarious sheltering, water storage and overall poor water and sanitation conditions.

7. The Flash Appeal has received only 4.3 % of the required 107 million USD as of 29 September. Strong advocacy is required for a more effective response to the needs of affected populations.

Food

8. So far, WFP has distributed 3,689 MT of food reaching a total of 787,815 beneficiaries. Over the past week, WFP increased its capacity to reach inaccessible communities with food commodities and ensured a fifteen-day ration to 5,640 additional beneficiaries. A second convoy of 5 commercial trucks reached Gonaives from Port-au-Prince, carrying food commodities, fuel and generators. Loads also continue to be dispatched by boat while warehouses are being set-up at the MINUSTAH base in Gonaives. Large food distributions are carried out in consultation and coordination with partners and community leaders.

Shelter and non-food items

9. While an evacuation plan for people currently in shelters is being prepared, distribution of NFIs continues. UNFPA has allocated USD 69,430 for delivering 3,500 'dignity kits', which are distributed to women in shelters throughout the country in coordination with partners. There are currently another 1,725 kits being distributed in four departments, while a request to the CERF for USD 130,000 was submitted to assemble and distribute an additional 6,000 kits. IOM and Oxfam have distributed 600 kitchen and 600 hygiene kits in 156 shelters, reaching 51,871 beneficiaries. Plans are underway to deliver an additional 340 hygiene kits and 340 plastic sheets. In-kind NFIs contributions from the United States Government were shipped last Friday and were consigned to IOM for distribution (4,350 jerricans, 5,088 hygiene kits and 3 water bladders). Finally, the Haitian Red Cross, supported by IFRC and Partner Red Cross Societies, has so far delivered 1,150 blankets and 200 mosquito nets, as well as a total of 2,984 family kits through the country, which include 1 kitchen set, 1 hygiene parcel, 2 mosquito nets, 2 blankets, 2 jerricans and 1 bucket each.

Health

10. PAHO/WHO made available one expert in water purification to support governmental efforts for the disinfection of 4,000 wells. IOM has also recruited one specialist in water-borne diseases, while UNFPA hired three health providers to increase capacities at the MSF hospital in Gonaives. Pharmaciens Sans Frontières continues to provide medicines and medical supplies to all mobile clinics.