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Hurricane Ivan & Tropical Strom Jeanne: What the UK is doing to help, Information Note #3

Hurricane Ivan

Hurricane Ivan took one week, from 7 to 14 September, to travel across the Caribbean, causing over 70 deaths and severe damage along its way. The hurricane caused devastation in Grenada and Grand Cayman, significant damage in Jamaica, and lesser damage in other areas such as Trinidad and Tobago, and Cuba.

Hurricane Ivan hit Grenada the hardest. Thirty-seven people died and 352 people were injured. Approximately 90% of homes have sustained damage, and 10% to 15% of homes are completely destroyed or will have to be demolished. More than half of the entire population, approximately 60,000 people, were left homeless. Many of the schools were destroyed causing the start of the school to be delayed until 2005. There has also been significant damage to some 50 to 70% of the police stations across the island.

Only 60 feet above sea level at its highest point, Grand Cayman suffered 180 miles per hour winds and 20-foot storm surges for over sixteen hours. The hurricane caused widespread devastation across the island, resulting in a complete breakdown of communications, power, and water as well as severe damage to individual properties and commercial buildings. Approximately 3,000 residents took refuge in eight government shelters. In the circumstances, it is extraordinary that only one person was killed.

Due to information and preparedness measures, the death toll in Jamaica was limited to 17 people. Approximately 5,000 homes will need rebuilding or extensive repair, cash and subsistence crops are extensively damaged, and there remains a serious problem with access to clean water and electricity. The number of people directly and significantly affected by the hurricane is thought to be around 25,000 people. This is primarily the result of loss of electrical power and interrupted water supply.

Hurricane Ivan crossed over northwestern Cuba as a category 5 hurricane on 13 September. Cuban authorities undertook appropriate measures in advance of the arrival of the hurricane; over 1.5 million people evacuated into shelters. Nevertheless, the hurricane has created some humanitarian need. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies' regional appeal includes support to 3,000 families in Cuba, including shelter and various non-food items.

DFID is the UK department working to promote sustainable development and eliminate world poverty. Our response so far:

- A two person DFID assessment team visited Jamaica and Grand Cayman from 13-21 September 2004. The team made a full assessment of the national and international response to the impact of Hurricane Ivan on Jamaica and undertook a rapid needs assessment of the impact of Ivan on the Cayman Islands.

- One of the first relief flights into Grenada was a DFID Antonov 12 from Miami. It carried essential plastic sheets and collapsible jerry cans for 4,000 households.

- On behalf of the Foreign Secretary, Baroness Howells travelled to Grenada on 22 September to assess the situation and convey condolences to the people. A DFID humanitarian adviser accompanied her.

- A DFID-funded airlift carrying 5,000 tarpaulins arrived in Grand Cayman on 16 September.

- The airlift also carried telecommunications equipment, including satellite equipment, which was made available for the Hurricane Committee, the Cayman Islands Government and Governor's Office to assist in the co-ordination of the relief operation.

- DFID sent 500 cots, water purification tablets for 7,000 people for 1 month, and chain saws to help relief efforts in the Caymans.

- 40 tonnes of bottled water was sent to the Cayman Islands on 18 September.

- DFID contributed =A3156,000 to Save the Children for distribution of non-food items, and repairs to schools and households in Jamaica.

- DFID has contributed =A3500,000 to the regional appeal of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

- DFID has contributed =A3250,000 to the regional appeal of the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO).

- The European Union has contributed =A34.65m in emergency relief and post emergency rehabilitation for Grenada. This includes a commitment of =A32.01m from the European Commission's Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO) towards the country's emergency needs and to assist St Vincent and the Grenadines. The UK share of this humanitarian assistance is about =A3740,000.

Tropical Storm Jeanne

Tropical Storm Jeanne passed through Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands on Wednesday 15 September killing two people. It made landfall on the Dominican Republic as a category 1 hurricane and moved slowly northwest Thursday 16 and Friday 17, losing strength but causing extensive damage. Eleven deaths were reported on the Dominican Republic.

Tropical Storm Jeanne reached Haiti 17 September, with heavy rain falling over deforested hills in the north. Flooding started slowly on Saturday 18 September and then increased quickly to flash flooding causing fast run off into the valleys and towns.

The Directorate of Civil Protection in Haiti estimates the total number of dead currently at 1,514, with 952 still missing, and 2,600 injured. Some 300,000 people have been affected by flooding, with 4,471 houses destroyed resulting in 20,000 people left homeless. The city of Gonaives was the most seriously affected by the hurricane. Other towns in the peninsula between Gonaives and Port de Paix were also affected, including Ennery, Gros Morne, and Ans Rouge.

After Haiti, the storm passed over the northwestern Bahamas on 25 September as a category 5 hurricane. The most significant damage in the Bahamas was caused to the islands of Grand Bahama and Abaco. No deaths or serious injuries were reported but approximately 100 homes were damaged. The Bahamas Red Cross have undertaken an initial assessment that indicates up to 5,000 families are in need of assistance. The International Federation of the Red Cross are providing support to the Bahamas Red Cross, having utilised funds from their Disasters and Emergency Relief Fund (to which DFID makers an annual contribution).

DFID's response so far:

- DFID has sent two airlifts to Haiti carrying 700 family tents, four generators, two Land Rovers and radio equipment. CARE International received the items and will distribute the tents to internally displaced people.

- A DFID humanitarian adviser travelled to Haiti from 27-29 September to assess the situation on the ground and recommend a continuing short to medium term humanitarian response through partner agencies.

- ECHO has contributed =A31 million towards emergency relief in Haiti; the UK portion of this is approximately =A3190,000.

Useful information links

- For more information on the ongoing relief efforts across the Caribbean, visit: www.reliefweb.int, www.cdera.org

- FCO help line for concerned relatives and friends: 0207 008 0000. Information can also be accessed at www.fco.gov.uk, or through the British High Commission (https://www.gov.uk/world/embassies)

How the UK public can help

The following UK-based charities have appealed for support: British Red Cross (www.redcross.org.uk), Oxfam (www.oxfam.org.uk), Save the Children (www.savethechildren.org.uk), and the Adventist Relief and Development Agency (www.adra.org.uk).

For more information, see www.dfid.gov.uk.