USAID/DART ASSESSMENTS IN JACMEL

UNCLAS PORT AU PRINCE 000184 AIDAC SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID ECON PGOV PINR PREL PREF HA SUBJECT: USAID/DART ASSESSMENTS IN JACMEL ¶1. Summary. On February 15 and 18, USAID Disaster Assistance Response Team (USAID/DART) staff conducted rapid health and protection assessments in Jacmel, as well as met with Logistics Cluster personnel operating in the area. USAID/DART staff observed the ongoing provision of health services through USAID's Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA) partners Save the Children U.S. (SC/US) and International Medical Corps (IMC),as well as visited four child-friendly spaces established by SC/US with USAID/OFDA support. During meetings with USAID/DART logisticians, Logistics Cluster members confirmed several significant logistics challenges for humanitarian operations in Jacmel and outlying areas. The USAID/DART continues to monitor earthquake-affected areas to identify assistance gaps. End Summary. -------------- Health -------------- ¶2. On February 15, a USAID health assessment team visited Saint Michael's, the only public hospital in Jacmel. With external financial and staff support, the facility continues to provide inpatient, surgical, and outpatient services at pre-earthquake levels. The assessment team reported low admission and consultation rates at Jacmel's numerous private health care facilities, likely due to the free care provided at Saint Michael's. Public dispensaries in the area remain severely understaffed, according to the assessment team. ¶3. USAID/OFDA partners SC/US and IMC are operating mobile and fixed primary health care centers to assist displaced persons residing in spontaneous settlements in and around Jacmel, the largest of which hosts approximately 6,000 people at night. The seven SC/US mobile health teams are treating 800 patients per day at up to 24 different sites. ¶4. SC/US has been conducting the only vaccine campaign in the Jacmel area as the coordinated U.N. and Government of Haiti (GoH) Ministry of Health vaccine campaign has not yet reached the Jacmel area. As of February 19, SC/US had reached more than 2,000 children with measles and rubella vaccines. SC/US had reported shortages of cold chain vaccines, but is now receiving assistance from U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) teams in Port-au-Prince to augment supplies. Children receiving vaccinations from SC/US are also screened for acute malnutrition, while the children's families receive insecticide-treated mosquito nets and soap. ¶5. While agencies have not conducted a systematic health assessment in the area, inpatient and outpatient health facility data suggest non-epidemic disease incidence rates and a return to pre-earthquake patient census levels at local facilities, with the exception of increased numbers of post-operative rehabilitation and disability cases, skin infections, and sexually transmitted infections. -------------- Protection -------------- ¶6. On February 18, the USAID/DART protection advisor visited child-friendly spaces (CFS) in Jacmel, constructed by USAID/OFDA implementing partner SC/US. To date, SC/US has established seven CFS in Jacmel and plans to establish a total of 30 in Jacmel town and surrounding areas. USAID/DART staff observed between 90 and 140 children at each of four visited sites. SC/US reports increased attendance at the CFS in recent days, and plans to conduct community outreach programs to encourage children with disabilities to participate in CFS activities. ¶7. The USAID/DART protection advisor reports that the spaces consist of a yard demarcated with a simple fence and a sheltered area. SC/US has either procured large tents or employed local carpenters to construct a basic shelter made of wood and plastic sheeting for the CFS. SC/US provides safe drinking water for the children at the CFS and plans to establish latrines and hand-washing facilities in the coming days. ¶8. To augment staffing in affected areas, SC/US has transferred personnel from Gona????ves to Jacmel to train additional staff and community members to manage program activities at the CFS. The community members organize several activities and services for the children, including the provision of basic psychosocial support and education, as well as organized physical exercise. SC/US provides CFS staff with a standard cash-for-work daily wage. -------------- Logistics -------------- ¶9. On February 18, a USAID/DART logistician met with Logistics Cluster personnel in Jacmel. Cluster members confirmed several significant logistics challenges for humanitarian operations in the area, including limited storage capacity, fuel shortages, poor road conditions, and limited port availability. Logistics Cluster personnel are working to address challenges, although note concern regarding the upcoming rainy season potentially impeding road access between Port-au-Prince and Jacmel. ¶10. According to the Logistics Cluster, humanitarian agencies in Jacmel have faced fuel shortages, as only one gas station and distributor is currently operational. The U.N. World Food Program (WFP) plans to deliver additional fuel from Port-au-Prince in approximately one week to augment current supplies. ¶11. In addition, the current WFP warehouse in Jacmel is at capacity, storing 1,000 metric tons (MT) of food and 350 MT of relief commodities, according to USAID/DART staff. WFP is scheduled to complete construction of a second, prefabricated warehouse with similar storage capacity within 14 days, which UNICEF will also utilize. ¶12. Seven of 13 WFP trucks in Jacmel are currently operational, with the other trucks utilized for spare parts. WFP reports that road conditions are generally poor, and all trucks transporting commodities to affected individuals in mountainous areas require U.N. Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) security escort. WFP has utilized helicopter flights for hard-to-reach locations near mountain peaks; however, heavy clouds and lack of helicopter availability constrains access to these areas. ¶13. WFP expressed concern regarding the potential for the upcoming rainy season to severely reduce or cut off access from Port-au-Prince due to poor road conditions along the Port-au-Prince-Jacmel highway. ¶14. Several factors have impeded the delivery of emergency relief commodities by ship to Jacmel. A USAID/DART logistician reports significant damage to the only pier in the immediate area, shallow water depth, and lack of offloading capacity have prevented all but small vessels from docking at the pier. -------------- Conclusions -------------- ¶15. During February 15 and 18 assessments to Jacmel, USAID/DART staff reported no significant gaps in health care, noting that anecdotal evidence suggests non-epidemic disease rates and pre-earthquake patient census levels at local facilities. In addition, USAID/OFDA-supported CFS are providing spaces for children to resume normal activities and SC/US is offering training and income generating opportunities for community members. Although the Logistics Cluster continues to address constraints, the upcoming rainy season may significantly hamper logistical operations to and around Jacmel. The USAID/DART will continue to monitor conditions in Jacmel to identify assistance gaps and humanitarian needs of earthquake-affected populations. 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