Haiti: Tropical Storm Hanna, Gustav, Ike OCHA Situation Report No. 20

OVERVIEW OF THE SITUATION

According to the national meteorological center's forecasts from 6 to 8 October, sporadic rains are expected in the South-East, South, Nippes, Centre, Artibonite and North-East departments. Populations living in areas at risk must comply with the security advisory instructions in case of bad weather.

The joint Post Disaster Needs Assessment being undertaken with the World Bank, the EU, the UN system and other partners will be launched on 7 October at the Montana Hotel. The agenda for tomorrow focuses on the methodology being used by the World Bank for their Damages and Loss Assessment; followed by a presentation by the UN/BCPR support team who will present the methodology for an early recovery needs assessment in Haiti. The final report is to be presented on 21 October.

As of 1 October 2008, according to an update from the Government of Haiti, tropical storms have affected 165,337 families, resulted in 548 injured, 793 deaths and 310 missing persons. In addition, 22,702 houses were totally and 84,625 were partially damaged. Ongoing response efforts include the following sectors' coordinated efforts:

Early Recovery: The United Nations Development Program is working closely with the DPC/COUD (National Civil Protection Unit) on opening pathways to drain water in Gonaives as well as to reopen routes for economic activities.

Agriculture: As of 1 October, FAO has distributed 1,395 kilograms of seeding to 7073 farmers in the Nippes, South, Center departments and La Gonave Island. Next week, FAO will provide 3,200 additional gardeners with 640 kilograms of seeding in the North-West, North-East and West (Cabaret) departments.

Shelter and Non-Food Items: The IOM has a significant amount of relief supplies pending and has surged up its field teams, added a distribution partner and is focused on ensuring rapid delivery of field and pipeline items. Pending items include 5,104 cooking kits, 10,121 hygiene kits, 31,191 bedding support items, 6,042 tool kits, 12,980 tarpaulins and 5,950 mosquito nets.

Food: As of 3 October, in coordination with its implementing partners, WFP distributed 3,097 metric tons of food to 589,559 beneficiaries including 369,191 persons from Gonaives.

Health: With the support of the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the Ministry of Health is currently investigating on 96 persons clinically supposed to suffer from measles over the past weeks in Gonaives. According to WHO and the Ministry of Health, the measles immunization coverage rate in this region is at 104 % (given that some non-residents were vaccinated) and 78 % for children under four years.