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Belize + 4 more

Hurricane Dean in the Caribbean: Situation Report 19 Aug 2007

Jamaica

Up to 230 communities in Jamaica are thought to be vulnerable to Hurricane Dean. The country's Emergency Operations Center has been activated and is calling for health departments and hospitals to activate all preparedness plans, as currently only non-critical patients have been discharged and admissions limited to emergencies. A limited supply of basic pharmaceuticals is thought to be on hand. It is almost certain that small water containers (5-10 gallons) and larger water tanks will be needed, as well as water purification tablets.

At a meeting in Kingston, UN agencies and donor countries reviewed the standby emergency procedures they have in place.

Belize

- PAHO/WHO and the UN Country Team are on standby until they receive the "all clear" from the National Emergency Management Office. Preparations were being made for a potential relocation of offices, pending a decision on Monday morning.

- PAHO/WHO will be coordinate the arrival of the OCHA Team on Monday, August 20, if it is necessary to mobilize one.

- In planning for a worst-case scenario, evacuation of the Cays in Belize has already begun. The government has called for putting all emergency into operation by Monday evening.

- In coordination with the Ministry of Health, the PAHO/WHO country office will remain on stand by tracking the path of the hurricane during Sunday.

- PAHO/WHO Regional Health Response Team is on stand by and ready to arrive in Belize if so requested by the Ministry of Health.

Haiti

Before Hurricane Dean struck Haiti on Sunday, August 20, hospitals in the departments of Sud and Sudest had already activated their emergency plans. Patients were released or placed in a safe area. Extra medical staff was deployed or on stand-by and where possible, medical supplies were pre-positioned.

Once the storm passed, it was reported that most damage, while relatively minor, was confined to the southern peninsula. Two deaths were reported and dozens injured. A PAHO/WHO/Ministry of Health assessment confirmed that the roof of the Hopital St. Michel in Jacmel was not damaged because of the storm, but rather because it was already in a precarious condition, which allowed the operating room to be flooded. Cleanup operations have already begun. The Hopital Imaculee Conception in Cayes and the Hopital St Antoine in the town of Jeremie are both functional. No deaths were reported, although 5-6 people were injured during the storm. PAHO/WHO is currently conducting damage and needs assessments in the most affected areas. Conditions in the water and sanitation sector are being assessed, but no major problems have been reported at the time of this report.

Dominican Republic

Hurricane Dean's rains affected the eastern part of the Dominican Republic and some families in the most at-risk areas were moved in temporary shelters until the storm passed. One death was reported and the ensuing floods caused some economic damage. The National Emergency Commission credits coordination by the country agencies that form the Commission with helping to minimize damage.

St. Lucia

The Victoria Hospital is Saint Lucia's main public hospital and has a capacity of 160 beds. It is one of five hospitals in the island of 72,000. The hospital lost the second story roof over the paediatric ward (capacity 29 beds); the children had already been evacuated because authorities were aware of the vulnerability of the roof. The hospital is running on stand-by power.

There were no reports of damage to health clinics or the hospital in southern part of the Saint Lucia.

Martinique

On Sunday, August 20 Hurricane Dean left 70% of the island is without electricity or water. It is expected to take five days to restore service. The island's entire crop of bananas and sugar cane was lost. No strategic infrastructure (hospital, EOC, airport, refinery) was affected. The supply of medicines was not affected. Epidemiological surveillance for dengue has been initiated. Hurricane Dean had a greater impact along the southern Atlantic coast (Marin and St. Anne) than in the capital, Fort de France.