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Haiti

Haiti: Floods OCHA Situation Report No. 1


This situation report is based on information received from the Government, UN Agencies, MINUSTAH and other humanitarian partners in the field.



Figure 1. Location of most affected areas


SITUATION OVERVIEW

1. Since late September 2007, heavy rains have affected most of the regions in Haiti. During the first two weeks of October 2007, the Meteorology National Center of Haiti has launched several warning alerts to inform population about eventual disasters. Although a progressive improvement of the weather conditions was envisaged as of Monday 15 October, the National System on Risk and Disaster Management (SNGRD) maintains a yellow alert level (moderate risk), with persistent threats of overflowing rivers, floods and landslides.

2. The entire country has been affected by heavy rains with major impact in the South, West and Artibonite Departments. Proper assessment has been rendered difficult by the lack of access in the most remote areas. The Haitian Government reported a total of 37 deaths, 4 missing people and 78 wounded individuals. According to the Department of Civil Defense (DPC), at least 14,504 families were affected by the latest flooding among which 3,349 persons in the South, West, Artibonite Departments were temporarily displaced. Cabaret, in the West Department, is one of the most affected areas with reportedly 27 deaths and 985 people in temporary shelters.




Figure 2. Affected population as reported by the Civil Defense

3. Regarding material damages, the DPC further informed that 1,008 houses were destroyed and 4,708 were seriously damaged. Some roads in the South and Artibonite Departments were blocked, and large agriculture areas flooded.

NATIONAL RESPONSE

4. The Departmental Committees on Risk and Disaster Management (CDGRD), supported by the DPC at central level, continue to coordinate rapid assessments and emergency response, as well as the information management on damages and needs. Until now, eight consolidated reports summarising damages and needs were produced, as well as reports on completed and on-going actions.

5. Bad road conditions and overflowing rivers are hampering the assessment missions. However, several field missions were carried out by the Ministry of Interior. Two overflights allowing a general assessment of the situation were organized with MINUSTAH and OCHA support in the South and the Artibonite Departments. The ministries of Public Health and Social Affairs dispatched technical staff to evaluate the situation and support the population. Sectorial evaluations on agriculture damages will be held in the forthcoming days.

6. Emergency funds amounting Haitian Gourde 10.2 million (about USD 290,000), were released by the Haitian Government to facilitate the delivery of assistance. In addition, the Ministry of Interior provided 2,500 mattresses and 1,259 hygiene kits to the most affected families. The Ministry of Public Works is already engaged in roads repair in the Artibonite, and streets cleaning in Cabaret (West Department).

10. The Haitian Red Cross provided 100 hygiene and kitchen kits, 100 mattresses, 200 blankets and 205 mosquito nets.

HUMANITARIAN PARTNERS RESPONSE

11. At regional level, MINUSTAH emergency focal points, as well as present international partners, played a supportive role and assisted the CDGRD, in coordinating activities, compiling and verifying information, disseminating alerts, carrying rapid damage assessments, and preparing situation maps.

12. In addition, MINUSTAH, in particular the regional offices and the deployed military contingents, is supporting the Government to evacuate population and carry out road and overall damage assessment.

13. International partners present in affected areas also provided humanitarian aid, mainly from their pre-positioned stocks. In the South, Concern provided 500 hygiene and kitchen kits, and 1,000 blankets. CRS also provided 50 hygiene and kitchen kits. Furthermore, the Foundation Terre des Hommes provided 200 hygiene kits, 100 kitchen kits and 2,000 aquatabs. In the Artibonite, CARE deployed 16 tents for temporary shelters and supported rapid assessments. World Vision distributed clothes, shoes, sheets, and plastic sheeting for affected people in the West Department.

14. As far as UN Agencies are concerned, UNICEF provided 1,000 hygiene kits, 300 kitchen kits, 25 baby hygiene kits and 600 water containers for the South Department. Furthermore, in the West and Artibonite Departments, UNICEF provided 1,000 hygiene kits, 500 kitchen kits, 25 baby hygiene kits, 1000 water containers, and 1,000 blankets.

15. In addition, PAHO/WHO supported the damage assessment in the health center in Cavaillon (South). In the Artibonite, IOM distributed 159 blankets, 96 towels, 204 units of toilet paper, 300 toilet soap units, 50 boxes of cloth washing soaps, and 30 packets of diapers. WFP made available HEB stocks for 3-day emergency food distribution in the Artibonite and West Department.

16. Regarding other international partners, the Canadian Embassy granted Canadian Dollar 20,000 (USD 20,500) for affected people in the South.

Contact details

In case of emergency only: Tel. +41 22 917 20 10

Desk officer (New York):
Mr. Ignacio Leon-Garcia (leoni@un.org )
Tel. +1 917 367 9960

Press contact (Geneva):
Ms. Elisabeth Byrs (byrs@un.org)
Tel. +41 22 917 2653

Press contact (New York):
Ms. Stephanie Bunker (bunker@un.org )
Tel. +1 917 367 5126

Disclaimer

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
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