MFJM01: Impact of Hurricane Gustav on Haiti

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PORT AU PRINCE 001229 SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/CAR STATE PASS TO AID FOR LAC/CAR WHA/EPSC SANTO DOMINGO FOR FCS TREASURY FOR SARAH GRAY E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AEMR ASEC CASC KFLO MARR PREL PINR AMGT EAGR EAID ETRD, ECON, HA SUBJECT: MFJM01: Impact of Hurricane Gustav on Haiti PORT AU PR 00001229 001.3 OF 002 Gustav's Impact on Haiti -------------- ¶1. Category One Hurricane Gustav hit Haiti on August 26. The Government of Haiti's (GoH) Office of Civil Protection (DPC) lifted the hurricane alert in the early morning of August 28. DPC figures indicate, as of August 28, 59 deaths, 7 missing, 25 injured, 8082 people in shelters, 1283 homes destroyed, and 2195 homes damaged. The Southeast Department was the most heavily hit, with other departments suffering damage including the West, Grande Anse, the South and Nippes. These statistics are still preliminary. Damage assessment teams are still out in the field, and some of the more isolated areas have yet to be reached. ¶2. Gustav produced approximately 6 to 12 inches of rainfall over parts of Haiti, particularly in the South East and West Departments. Several areas experienced flooding, especially one of Port-au-Prince's poorest neighborhoods, Cite Soleil (located in the north of Port-au-Prince). Some 4,000 residences of Cite Soleil were evacuated, most of them from the Bois Neuf area surrounding the flood plains of Riviere Grise. The UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that the most significant floods are in Jacmel, Leogane, Petit Goave, Miragoane, the Cul de Sac plain, and Port de Paix, resulting in isolation of some populations. According to the DPC, other cities such as Grand Goave, Petit Goave and Jacmel had 878, 467, and 755 persons respectively in shelters. OCHA reported that several roads were severely damaged and bridges submerged. Hurricane Gustav caused extensive damage to the cropland, livestock and housing. The road damage is expected to hinder the transport of goods and services in the southeastern part of the country, which may subsequently cause an increase in commodity prices in an already inflationary economy. OCHA is responding to several electrical repair and fuel requests. Government of Haiti Response -------------- ¶3. The GoH, through the Ministry of Interior's Office of Civil Protection (DPC),has been quick to publish statistics and figures associated with Gustav's damage. It has also set-up 79 emergency shelters in the southern part of the country. The GoH on August 28 lifted the 'Red Alert', reopened maritime ports and airports in Port-au-Prince, Jacmel, Cap Haitien, Hinche, and Port de Paix. However, the GoH cautioned the population to remain vigilant and not touch fallen electrical or telephone poles. The DPC damage assessment teams are not yet able to assess accurately the damage due to flooding and cut-off roads. The DPC is also working closely with USAID/OFDA. They are in communication with the local Disaster Mitigation Committees (DMCs) and relying on them to begin the initial damage assessment work. USG Response -------------- ¶4. U.S. Coast Guard Seventh District provided a fixed wing aircraft to fly over the southeast corner peninsula of Haiti (the "Southern Claw") on August 28 for an aerial damage assessment, though lingering Gustav cloud cover limited visibility in some hard-hit areas such as Cotes de Fer; the information will be provided to the GoH (DPC) to facilitate response and recovery efforts. Today, a USCG helicopter will take OFDA and DPC staff to observe severely-impacted and isolated areas of the South East, West, and Nippes Departments. Embassy Coast Guard Liaison Office is developing flight plans for these missions with the help of information provided by US SOUTHCOM resources. A USAID/OFDA team of three advisors is in-country to assist on the following: a) Gustav damage assessment; b) hurricane-related reporting, and, c) preparation of a rehabilitation response plan. USAID/Haiti mission staff are involved in these tasks and all of USAID's work is coordinated under the GOH's Office of Civil Protection (DPC). International Community Response -------------- ¶5. OCHA, World Food Program (WFP) and UNICEF are supporting the GoH's emergency relief efforts and were able to assist immediately 3000 families. Most of those persons in the greater Port-au-Prince area who sought temporary shelter from flooded areas have returned to their homes. WFP confirmed that food stocks (i.e. rice, beans, vegetable oil) are available in Jacmel to assist 5,000 to 7,000 families. Pan American Health Organization/WHO has pre-positioned essential medications. UNICEF is taking the lead in providing water and sanitation resources, tents, blankets, and hygiene and kitchen kits. IOM is taking the lead on shelter and non-food items sector. PORT AU PR 00001229 002.2 OF 002 Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and CARITAS are monitoring the situation closely. UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) troops are distributing food and water to flood victims, clearing roads for traffic and providing medical assistance. SANDERSON