Situation Report 7 Caribbean Hurricane Season 4 September 2008

Transcription

1 Situation Report 7 Caribbean Hurricane Season 4 September 2008 Page 1 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. HIGHLIGHTS The Government of Haiti has officially requested international assistance and a Flash Appeal is being prepared. Hanna has already claimed 90 lives in Haiti. Following the passage of Hurricane Gustav, power supply and roofing repair are the most pressing needs in Cuba. Hurricane Ike has been upgraded to a Category IV hurricane and may threaten Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica. SITUATION 1. On 25 August, a tropical depression in the Caribbean strengthened into Tropical Storm Gustav and made landfall in Haiti as a Category I hurricane on 26 August. On 30 August, Gustav became a Category IV and made landfall on Cuba s Island of Youth and Pinar del Rio Province. It then continued through the Gulf of Mexico threatening

2 Page 2 the coasts of Florida, Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi in the United States. Gustav has affected Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, Cuba and the United States. 2. Upgraded earlier to a Category I hurricane, the centre of tropical storm Hanna continues wetwards and should be moving through or just east of the Central and Northwestern Bahamas and will be near the south east coast of the United Staes by Friday. Hanna could regain hurricane strength on Friday prior to reaching the coastline and is expected to produce rainfall totals of four to eight inches with maximum isolated amounts of 12 inches over the southeastern Bahamas, the Turks and Caicos Islands, Eastern Cuba, and Puerto Rico. Coastal storm surge flooding of one to three feet above normal tide levels can be expected in areas of onshore flow within the hurricane warning area. 3. Meanwhile, Hurricane Ike was upgraded to a Category IV hurricane and was located about 885 km eastnortheast of the Leeward Islands. This general motion is expected to continue through Thursday followed by a turn to the west and west-southwest on Friday taking Ike over the open waters of the west-central Atlantic during the next few days. It is too early to determine what land area might be directly affected by Ike. 4. Tropical Storm Josephine is weakening over the eastern Atlantic and is about 840 km west of the southernmost Cape Verde Islands. HAITI 5. A few days after being struck by Hurricane Gustav, Haiti was unexpectedly hit by tropical storm Hanna on 1 September. No previous warning had been issued as Hanna was expected to pass north of Haiti. On 3 September, weather conditions improved slightly in some parts of the country, rendering gradual access to the affected population. The airport in Port-au-Prince reopened on 3 September allowing search and rescue operations to be undertaken. Initial assessments have commenced while only limited humanitarian assistance has reached affected populations. 6. While there is no clarity on the number of casualties, informal government figures indicate at least 90 dead as a result of Hanna and some 250,000 affected persons in Gonaives only. It is increasingly evident that the situation in the country is dire. According to the Direction de Protection Civil (DPC), nine out of the 10 Districts in Haiti are seriously affected due to the combined impact of tropical storms Gustav and Hanna. Haitian authorities are maintaining a heightened state of alert in seven Districts, mostly located in the north. Heavy flooding was reported in the following cities: Gonaïves (Artibonite District), Port de Paix (Northwest District), Cap Haitien (North District), Hinche (Central District), Miragoane (Nippes District), Jacmel (Southeast District), Les Cayes (South District), Grand Goâve (West District). 7. The situation today is further complicated by the large areas affected and it is likely that the short and mid-term impact on food security in Haiti will be considerable. 8. With limited access to Gonaïves/Artibonite, no reliable information on damage and humanitarian needs are yet available with the Haitian Red Cross carrying out an initial airborne assessment on 3 September. Almost everyone living in the city has lost their personal belongings for the second time in four years and Gonaives is now suffering its second severe social and economic blow. Although mortality and injury figures are not yet available, loss of life seems to be lower than feared with the Communal Committee quick to evacuate the population to pre-identified shelters. The roads between Saint Marc and Gonaives and cap-haitian and Gonaives are blocked by fallen trees, preventing road access for humanitarian relief. 9. In Nippes District, some 52 people are currently in sheltered in Miragoane and have received food from WFP distributed by the DPC (three-day ration). The Miragoane-Port au Prince Bridge remains passable with caution. In the South District, some 2,000 people are in shelters. In Les Cayes, some 1,250 people received food rations funded by the DDPC which were distributed by CRS and Caritas. OPS/OMS will visit the shelters on the 3 September in order to assess medical needs. In the South East District, heavy rains were reported on 2 September, particularly affecting the town of Cayes Jacmel which had already been flooded in the aftermath of Gustav. In Grand Anse District, heavy rains were

3 Page 3 reported since 1 September. According to IOM the number of people in shelters is increasing, with 1,170 people currently located in seven temporary shelters. The majority of temporary shelters are schools. Some 400 people are in two shelters in Jeremie. 10. All northern districts are slightly affected by hurricane Hanna. HDCS and Civil Affairs visited the town of Fort- Liberté particularly zones most at risk (Concilia, Cicar and la Victoire) and noted that the situation in these areas was stable. Heavy winds were reported in the village of Roche Plate and Bassin Tounen where the roofs of 120 houses were damaged. The UNPOL team was unable to access the region to evaluate damage. Flooding of the river Disman is the main cause of damages in the region. 11. In the Central District, Hinche (the most affected commune of the District), Cité Nolas, Bas-Cimetière, La Marone, Rivage (Kokoye) and Cité du Peuple are the most affected zones. The number of flooded houses has not yet been determined. The MINUSTAH Communication Centre (ComCen) in Hinche advised that water levels in Hinche were rising. Flooding has been reported in the communes of Thomassique Cerca La Source, Cerca Carvajal and Maissade where gardens and livestock have been lost. Reliable figures on affected persons and damage remain unknown. 12. The international humanitarian community continue to organize response efforts, with UN agencies strengthening their staff capacity. Sectoral meetings continue to take place on a daily basis and a major UN-NGOs coordination meeting has planned assessments and emergency response actions. Additional UN staff arrived in Gonaives on 3 September, notably from MUINUSTAH. The military are also assisting in the evacuation of affected persons. 13. Following a request from the UNRC/HC on 3 September, an UNDAC team was deployed. The eight-member team includes coordination and assessments specialists, the French NGO Telecoms Sans Frontières and members of the British NGO Map Action. In addition to the UNDAC team, other international support teams have been deployed. Since 28 August, a three-person USAID/OFDA assessment team, deployed for Hurricane Gustav will remain in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. USAID has allocated USD 100,000 to Haiti. Switzerland pledged CHF 1.15 million help Haiti hurricane victims. The SDC Cooperation Office in Port-au Prince is working closely with the local authorities and partner organisations to assess what the region's most urgent needs are and to decide on what humanitarian aid Switzerland could provide. The IFRC has also deployed a Field Assessment and Coordination Team (FACT). UN Agencies in situ are receiving additional support from their regional office. All partners are invited to coordinate and share their assessments results at the next humanitarian coordination meeting at WHO on Friday, 5 September at Sectoral Coordination Shelter and Non-Food Items 14. All partners are currently working on needs assessments with the available data to be compiled: initial data indicates a need for construction kits. OFDA is scheduled to supply 5,000 hygiene kits, 500 plastic sheeting and some 10,000 jerry cans by 4 September. Most of these emergency relief items will be distributed in the South East, South and Nippes Districts. Gonaïves will also benefit from the OFDA supplies. UNICEF Haiti sent an emergency request for supply from its Copenhagen s warehouse. The shipment will arrive by air and will arrive in 72 hours. UNICEF has made supplies available from the emergency pre-positioning programmes in Port-de-Paix, Cap Haitien and Les Cayes and is sending the hygiene kits originally destined to Bainet (South-East) to Gonaives where needs are more urgent. Health 15. A second sectoral health meeting took place on 3 September. Needs assessments in the North, North West and Artibonite Districts are currently being carried out by PAHO/MSPP. Results are expected by 4 September. In Artibonite, St. Marc Hospital is open and functioning. It is being reinforced by a Cuban brigade and medicine and surgical equipment provided by PAHO. In Gonaives, 18 patients in a flooded hospital are being evacuated. A MSF medical team is currently being deployed to the health centre of Raboteau, in the north of Gonaives. Mobile clinics, provided by MSF Belgium and

4 Page 4 MSF France, will be deployed to the area between Gonaives and Port au Paix. Some 100 body bags, provided by ICRC/ MSF Belgium are being pre-positioned. In the North Western District, a detailed needs assessment is currently being carried out. Most medical needs are expected in Carburant and Port de Paix. In the Southern District, communities near Tiburon have not received any medicine yet due to the lack of access. In the South Eastern District, there is currently no access to Baijnet. Food 16. WFP's ongoing response to the hurricane-affected regions in Haiti include the following rapid assessment missions in coordination with OCHA, UNICEF, MINUSTAH, Government of Haiti and NGO partners. In addition to the above, the following assessment missions are scheduled for 4 September: Artibonite (Gonaive), Nippes (Miragoane, Petite Rivière), South East (Jacmel, Cayes Jacmel, Marigot, Bainet, Belle Anse), West (Petit Goave, Grand Goave and Léogane). As of 2 September, WFP had distributed a total of 108mt of emergency food assistance to 11,132 persons including some 800 persons in temporary shelters. WFP, in collaboration with local authorities and partners, has provided high-energy biscuits, rice, beans, corn-soya blend and vegetable oil initially to some 4,000 people in the capital, Port-au- Prince, and in the southern towns of Jacmel and Bainet. WFP provided logistical support to UNICEF for the delivery of water purification tablets, blankets, hygiene kits and cooking sets. Meetings have been held with WFP partners from the food security sector to increase coordinated response and identify the needs of the affected populations. A WFP-chartered boat is scheduled to depart Port-au-Prince for Gonaives on 4 September. The IFRC and Red Crescent Societies will provide some 5,000 hot meals to the affected population in Artibonite, starting on 3 September. Water and sanitation 17. UNICEF and WFP pre-positioned 7.5mt of food and 60,000 litres of potable water on a MINUSTAH ship ready to be transported to Gonaives as soon as weather conditions will improve. Emergency supplies including 15,000 blankets, 12 water tanks, 5,000 hygiene kits, 20,000 water purification tablets and oral rehydration salts are being airlifted to Haiti. ACF has distributed assistance for relocated families in two shelters in Port-de Paix from its pre-positioned emergency supplies. Protection 18. The Protection sector held a meeting on 3 September to coordinate offer of psychosocial support to people in shelters. A meeting with partners is scheduled for 4 September. UNICEF is coordinating with UNFPA and UNIFEM to follow up on cases of sexual and gender based violence. CUBA 19. The considerable impact of Hurricane Gustav is still being assessed by national authorities. The following statistics and information should be considered above and beyond that which has already been reported in previous situation reports. The National Electrical Union report estimates initial damages to infrastructure in the western region of Cuba and the Isle of Youth to be valued at 15 million Cuban pesos. In addition to collapsed high-tension towers, 4,500 posts are reported down, 530 transformers damaged, and 5,000 street lights have been destroyed.significant damage to approximately 100,000 homes is being reported in the territories of Pinar del Rio and Isle of Youth. 20. In Province of Pinar del Río Province, more than 60% of the territory has been directly affected by the hurricane; the municipalities of Los Palacios, La Palma, Bahía Honda, San Cristóbal, Viñales, Consolación del Sur and Candelaria having borne the brunt of the damages. The Special Municipality Isle of Youth has been devastated by Hurricane Gustav. Communication difficulties continue to limit the amount of information regarding the extent of the damages at the present time. 21. There have been no reported causalities, although 19 individuals were injured during the storm. The national authorities are currently conducting the damage assessment to the economy. Carlos Lage, the Vice President of the State Council, stated that the power supply situation was the most urgent while the housing situation the most severe to resolve.

5 Page 5 The lack of electricity in many areas makes it impossible to cook or boil water, given that most of the population uses electric stoves. 22. Authorities in the areas most affected by the hurricane continue their efforts to protect the population, restore basic services and continue work towards economic recovery. Medical teams are assisting those in need while sanitation teams are vaccinating the local population. Doctors, nurses and medical technicians are stationed at evacuation centers for families who have lost their homes. Special attention is given to the restoration of water and basic sanitation services through the placement of generators at water sources and in waste processing centers. Food distribution is ongoing through the delivery of basic food rations to families and the provision of meals to evacuees at their respective centers. The restoration of basic services is another prioritized task in affected areas. Construction materials are being distributed to facilitate the reconstruction of homes. Brigades supported by members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR) are carrying out cleaning activities and clearing of debris. Work is being conducted for the full restoration of industrial and agricultural activities. 23. The SMT/DMT and the UNETE will continue to closely follow-up on the situation and work towards a preliminary evaluation of the damages. The RC officially offered the support and assistance of the UN Systems to the recovery process. The RC/DO in consultation with the SMT has decided to maintain Security Phase I in the entire Cuban territory due to the severity of the impact and the possible threat from Hanna. OCHA ROLAC has deployed its Regional Disaster Response Advisor to help prepare a CERF application and an emergency cash grant. A joint assessment will be conducted to Pinar del Rio with the UN and the Government on 5 September. DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 24. With the potential danger to the country posed by the fast approaching Hurricane Ike the country remains on high alert. However, current indications are that Ike will pass well to the north of the country but that the north of the Dominican Republic could still be affected by associated winds and rain. Danger remains as several dams/reservoirs are at peak level. In the eastern province of San Juan de la Maguana, evacuations have been ordered in areas below the Sabaneta reservoir. The biggest danger, however, remains ground saturation over much of the country as a result of rains over last ten days and should Ike affect the Republic and bring more heavy rains this would bring as increased risk of landslides and flooding. 25. The Government is maintaining a state of vigilance in all 32 provinces. National and local emergency authorities carried out evacuations of people living in vulnerable areas and this contributed significantly to fact that there has been no direct loss of life and no serious injuries caused by the storm. Some 71 communities are reported as having been temporarily cut off by flooded or damaged roads but on the whole damage to infrastructure is minor. Just over 10,700 people were temporarily evacuated during last two days and most of these were accommodated with friends and neighbours living in safer locations: most are now returning to their homes. The Nationals Emergency Operations Centre reports that 14 official shelters were activated and these are/were providing shelter for some 500 families mostly in the provinces of Montecristi, Dajabón, Azua, San Pedro de Macorís y San José de Ocoa. Some 2,250 homes in various parts of the country are reported to have been affected in some way - flooding or wind damage. Only a handful of homes are reported to have been destroyed. 26. The Civil Defense, Red Cross and Comedores Economicos (the Government s relief food distribution network) are providing food and support for affected families and the Social Plan of the Presidency announced that it has available a special fund of some US$25 million for assistance for victims through its regular programmes/mechanisms of support to poor families, should this be required. The Health Ministry continues to monitor the situation and undertake epidemiological surveillance. All of its regional and provincial emergency committees remain activated. There are reports of minor damage to water supply systems in a few locations. There have been no reports of major damage to crops/agriculture so far. 27. The UNETE remains on alert and is in constant contact with COE. Agencies are monitoring and accompanying developments through their usual sectoral, and inter-sectoral and local partners. For the time being no special support or

6 Page 6 interventions appear to be needed. The focus will continue to be on supporting preventive and early warning measures and to find sustainable solutions for vulnerable families. JAMAICA 28. As a result of Hurricane Gustav, some 12 deaths are now confirmed. A total of 72 communities have been affected, mainly by flooding. Reports from the Parish Disaster Offices indicate a total of 248 persons in shelters; however this number is diminishing. Early recovery concerns and needs exist, especially in view of the situation around rivers banks and damage on the infrastructure. An assessment was requested as well as disaster mitigation and risk reduction measures. OCHA has allocated a cash grant of US$30,000 to Jamaica. BCPR is in contact with the RC Office for early recovery assistance while the Pan American Disaster Response Unit (PADRU) in Panama has deployed one delegate to Jamaica to support early relief activities. TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS 29. Tropical Storm Hanna continues to affect the islands in the Turks and Caicos with strong winds and heavy rainfall. Preliminary assessments were conducted and flooding has been reported throughout the islands especially in Five Cays, Providenciales. All schools, government offices, business community and private sector establishments remain closed. 30. The National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) which serves as the coordinating centre for all the islands of the TCI remains activated. Yesterday, the Governor met with the NEOC of the Emergency Policy Group to get an update of the impact and to consider critical next steps. The canal gates are also opened at low tide to allow the ponds to drain into the sea and subsequently closed at high tide to prevent seawater from filling the ponds and Salinas. All airports remain closed and non operational due to the adverse weather conditions which include flooding, debris on runway and damaged fence. 31. No deaths have been reported. All missing persons have been accounted for. Shelters remain open, however it was noted that shelter population was greatest at night. Most shelters left at first light. Of the shelters activated Providenciales had approximately 800 people in six shelters. Preliminary damage assessments were conducted and flooding has been reported throughout the islands especially in Five Cays, Providenciales. There was evidence that part of the perimeter fencing at the Providenciales Airport was destroyed by a three foot storm surge. Minor damage to roofs reported. Electricity has been restored to most of the islands. Telephone service remains functional and the internet service continues to be a reliable form of communication except for a very brief period when there was an apparent loss in the service. However, the water supply provided by City Water in Grand Turk is still not operational and the majority of residents are relying on their cisterns. 32. Most roads have suffered damage due to storm surge and flooding. The recently constructed Causeway linking North and Middle Caicos has suffered what appears to be major damage and may even have been destroyed. There were reports of boats washed ashore, damaged or sunken. There is a requirement for Environmental Health Department to monitor the operation of the sewage systems especially in the areas that are experiencing flooding. A structural engineer will be required to assess the level of damage to the causeway linking North and Middle Caicos. BAHAMAS 33. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has received the following updates on the situation from the family of islands. No causalities have been reported so far. Shelters are either operational or ready to be activated with the necessary supplies. There are approximately 139 persons in shelters on Acklins and 20 persons on Long Cay. Electricity has been restored to most of the islands. Reports so far are minimal with minor roof damage and fallen trees. 34. The CDERA Coordinating Unit remains in regular contact with the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos to provide support and advice. The Regional Response Mechanism (RRM) remains on standby. CDERA has been collaborating with the Caribbean Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology for reviewing and analyzing the progress and development of

7 Page 7 tropical systems in the Atlantic. In this regard the CDERA CU is also monitoring the development two other tropical systems, Tropical Storm Ike and Josephine. 35. REGIONAL RESPONSE 36. The IFRC has launched a preliminary Emergency Appeal. The Emergency Appeal seeks CHF 1,778,824 to support the Cuban, Haitian, and Jamaican National Societies to assist 7,000 families for six months. The appeal aims at providing support in food and basic non-food items, shelter, health, capacity building, and early recovery. Further assessments are continuing and it is likely that the assessed needs will increase. A FACT alert for deployment to Haiti has been issued. The Spanish Red Cross is sending experts to Cuba, Haiti and the Dominican Republic and has allocated EURO 39,000 from its emergency funds. Regional Offices deployed specialist teams to Haiti, Cuba and Jamaica. AECID-WFP/HRD coordinated the dispatch 21mt of humanitarian supplies from Panama airport (4 September, at 1300). 37. The OCHA Regional Office in Panama is closely monitoring the situation and is in close contact with the RCs and UNETEs of the affected countries in the region. More information can be found on Reliefweb at and REDHUM at For detailed information please contact: Contact Details Desk Officer (New York) Ms. Heidi Kuttab Office Tel: Office Fax: kuttab@un.org GCMS (Geneva) OCHA Regional Office Latin America and Caribbean Ms. Aoibheann O Keeffe Mr. Douglas Reimer Regional Disaster Response Adviser Office Tel: okeeffe@un.org Office Tel Office Fax Mobile: reimer@un.org Press Contact: (NY) Ms. Stephanie Bunker Office Tel : Office Fax: bunker@un.org (GVA) Ms. Elizabeth Byrs Office Tel Office Fax byrs@un.org