IOM and its partners are assisting in the provision of relief assistance to populations affected by flash floods triggered by tropical storm Noel and torrential rains that hit Haiti throughout the month of October.
At least 66 persons were killed, an estimated 2,801 homes completely destroyed and above 12,000 damaged. More than 14,000 families have been directly affected by the flash floods and continue to need assistance.
IOM this year has taken a leading role in the coordination and provision of shelter support during disasters and to date has assisted flood-affected victims in Gonaives, Cabaret and the West region with non-food items, including blankets, towels, diapers, bath and laundry soap, and toilet paper.
With recent funding of US$100,000 received from USAID/OFDA, IOM has identified 900 affected families located in the Commune of Cite Soleil or displaced to other parts of Port-au-Prince and who are being provided with hygiene and kitchen kits.
With support from the UN's Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), IOM is also conducting renovation work to improve temporary shelter infrastructure which suffered heavy damage in the South region following hurricane Dean. Work is scheduled to finish by the end of December.
As this year's hurricane season draws to a close, it is expected that shelter and emergency response capacity needs will continue to increase in Haiti whose vulnerability to climate change and natural disasters is acute.
For more information, please contact Judy Dacruz, IOM Port-au Prince, Email: jdacruz@iom.int Tel: +509.244.1218.