Main Points
• Since 06 January, humanitarian operations in Grand’Anse and Sud were either temporally suspended or limited in relation with the arrest of senator-elect Guy Philippe and the demonstrations and road blocks that followed.
This week, activities have fully resumed in Sud and slowly in Grand’Anse.
• As part of a Technical Assistance Project for Agricultural Assistance and in preparation for the Spring Campaign, FAO signed with the Ministry of Agriculture a seed donation agreement of 500,000 US dollars.
• IOM, JPHRO and IDETTE are addressing the need of 112 families that were evicted on Tuesday 10 January from the CUC School in Jeremie.
• The World Bank started to distribute hot meals in Grand’Anse, Sud and Nippes for a total of 20,000 pupils in support to the resumption of schools.
19,572
People hosted in 78 collective centers according the last DTM
Source: IOM
23,193
Children under 5 affected by emergencies received micronutrients
Source: UNICEF
19,993
Children & families received recreational and/or psychosocial support activities
Source: UNICEF
16,960
People so far who received cash-based transfers in Grand’Anse
Source: WFP
Situation Overview
Since 06 January, humanitarian operations in Grand’Anse and Sud were temporally suspended, disrupted or limited in relation with the arrest of senator-elect Guy Philippe, on 05 January and the demonstrations and road blocks that followed. During the last week, non-essential staffs of UN agencies and some NGOs were temporally relocated as security precaution measures. This week, humanitarian operations have fully resumed in Sud and are progressively restarting in Grand’Anse. Additionally, since 1 January, 3 cases of looting or attempted looting have been reported against humanitarian convoys in the Sud region. In some instances, it was reported to OCHA that humanitarian actors may be directly targeted by looters who explicitly ask drivers whether the goods transported belong to a private company or an NGO before looting them.
As part of a Technical Assistance Project for Agricultural Assistance and in preparation for the critical spring planting season, FAO signed with the Ministry of Agriculture a seed donation agreement of 500,000 US dollars. This 12-month project will help more than 6,000 farm families in affected communes of the Sud region who have been severely affected by Hurricane Matthew (Cavaillon, Camp-Perrin, Les Cayes and Chantal). For farmers, this is an opportunity to plant their plots a second time and to relaunch the production of maize and fresh vegetables. In addition to seed distribution, this project includes nutrition education and food hygiene activities aimed at building the capacity of nearly 200 leaders of community-based organizations in the Sud. UNICEF reoriented part of its WASH program and resources to respond to the emergency resulting from the hurricane. UNICEF’s first priority was to provide safe water and sanitation to people affected by the hurricane, controlling cholera and ensuring dignity and protection to those affected, particularly those displaced by the crisis. In the weeks following Hurricane Matthew, the country witnessed a significant spike in the number of potential cases of cholera, with 500 potential cases in the week prior to Matthew and 1,500 cases within two weeks of Matthew, then dropping after six weeks. UNICEF significantly scaled up its number of emergency response teams in the affected zones, from five pre-Matthew teams to 36 teams in the weeks following Matthew. Nevertheless, major challenges remain, including the persistence of cholera in six regions among them the Sud and Grand’Anse; as well as the current unpredictability of funding which results in an inability to effectively plan and develop programming.
On 13 January, a workshop aiming at re-launching activities regarding reinforcement of the 144 Communal Committees of Civil Protection (CCPC) on emergency preparedness and response was organized by the Ministry of Interior in partnership with the World Bank. This reinforcement initiative was conceived in the aftermath of Matthew and in order to equip the committees for a better preparedness and Response to several emergencies with which the country has to deal. At this occasion, 60 motorcycles were donated to 60 committees throughout the country in the framework of World Bank reinforcement project. The Haitian National Council for Telecommunications also offered materials such as UHF and receivers to Directorate of Civil Protection to facilitate communications with affected communities during disasters. The main activity of this project will be oriented to training for the CCPC.
Disclaimer
- UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
- To learn more about OCHA's activities, please visit https://www.unocha.org/.