Period covered by this Ops Update: 16 - 19 March 2010
Appeal target (current): Swiss Francs 218.4 million (US Dollars 203,478,000 or Euros 148,989,000) in cash, kind, or services is solicited to support the Haitian National Red Cross Society (HNRCS)/Federation to provide basic non-food items and emergency/transitional shelter to 80,000 beneficiary families and provide emergency health care, fulfilment of basic needs in water and sanitation and livelihoods support for vulnerable populations in the earthquake affected region. Of the Swiss Francs 218.4 million sought, the International Federation solicits Swiss Francs 2.07 million to support its inter-agency coordination of the Shelter and Non-Food Items Cluster.
The donor response report shows current coverage of 55% of the Appeal target.
The budget for inter-agency coordination of the Shelter and Non-Food Items Cluster currently stands at 57%
Summary:
Heavy rains which fell over Port-au-Prince on 18 March signalled the start of the country's rainy season. Relief, health and water and sanitation activities continue to be implemented according to and ahead of plan with the International Federation having reached 83% of its target for the distribution of emergency shelter items. Items such as tarpaulins and rope have proven to be particularly helpful to protect thousands of families from the heavy rains that fell. A prototype of a tank latrine which is suitable for the dense urban operational context has been finalized and Haitian National Red Cross Society hygiene promotion and psychosocial support teams are reaching out to hundreds of people per day. The first shipment of materials to support families with core and transitional shelter are on their way to Port-au-Prince and assessments are being conducted to confirm where activities will take place. There have been reports that distribution of both food and free health care may be restricted but to date there is no confirmation by the government of any action in that regard.