Attachments
Reporting period: 6 September – 10 September, 2017
Highlights
Hurricane Irma has put the lives of thousands of children in the Caribbean in danger. Wind, rain and surge waves are causing floods, mudslides and the destruction of homes, schools, health centers and WASH infrastructure, affecting children across the region.
-
After impacting several islands during its path in the Caribbean Sea, Irma was downgraded to Category 3 Saturday morning but was expected to strengthen again over Florida.
-
Hurricane Jose, upgraded to a Category 5, threatened the Leeward Islands and Barbuda, already devastated by Irma.
-
The devastation across the areas has reportedly destroyed as much as 70-90% of the infrastructure on some islands.
-
UNICEF is on the ground in the affected countries, working in Cuba, Dominican Republic, Eastern and Western Caribbean islands (Antigua, Anguilla, Barbuda, BVI and TCI) and Haiti, coordinating the response efforts with National Governments and carrying out rapid need assessments and delivering prepositioned supplies.
SITUATION IN NUMBERS
+2.8 million estimated # of children at risk in affected areas;
7 million estimated # of people at risk in the affected areas;
25 fatalities recorded by Saturday morning;
+80,000 potentially affected children in Cuba, with 255,000 at risk
+19,000 people evacuated and in shelters in Dominican Republic;
132 schools potentially affected in Anguilla, Barbuda, BVI and TCI Islands;
+10,000 people in shelters in Haiti.
Situation Overview
Hurricane Irma continued its path through the Caribbean today, putting the lives of thousands of children in danger. On Wednesday 6 Sept., the Category 5 hurricane struck the islands of Antigua, Barbuda, British Virgin Islands (BVI), Anguilla, St. Martin and St. Barts. It reached Dominican Republic (DR), Haiti and Turks & Caicos on Thursday, 7 Sept. Irma made landfall in Cuba Friday evening, still as a Category 5 hurricane, directly hitting the island’s northern coast. The category was downgraded to Category 3 Saturday morning, but was expected to strengthen again over Florida. At least 25 people were confirmed dead by Saturday morning in the islands affected by the storm. Some of the islands in the eastern Caribbean have been totally destroyed, with up to 90% of the buildings affected. Scores of people have been displaced from their homes ahead of Hurricane Jose’s arrival. UNICEF staff are on the ground, working in close coordination with each government and implementing partners, evaluating the most urgent needs for children and adolescents.