ACT Appeals

1. Brief description of the emergency

Hurricane Gustav hit the Hispaniola Island Tuesday 26 August 2008 and its effects have continued to plague Haiti even when it has moved slowly Thursday towards Jamaica and has become a tropical storm. According to the National Meteorology Center, the threat of further rains did not stop. What has already resulted, however, is widespread flooding over Haiti’s South East, Nippes, West and Grand Anse regions. This was due to incessant rains that started Tuesday 26 and are expected to continue as Gustav has been stagnated near Haiti. The rains Gustav unleashes have already caused several rivers to burst their banks and major river valleys in the Nippes, South East, West (Capital area) and Grand Anse.

ACT members Christian Aid (CA) and its partners GRAMIR and COHIMRU, as well as the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe (DKH) - local team and partners in the South East, have reported important damages in infrastructure and agriculture in the Nippes, Grand’Anse and the South East as well as in the capital area. In general losses to housing, public infrastructure and agricultural production seem to be heavy. Several bridges are feared damaged and will thus complicate overland travel to reach the affected areas. As the rain is still falling, the danger of further inundations and mudslides increases. It is important to note that the damage to agricultural production is critical in the present situation of food insecurity reigning in the country (2.3 million people at present in a situation of moderate to acute risk).

2. Impact

Gustav crossed the southern peninsula of Haiti on Tuesday evening and the Meteorology Center reported the system remained stationary over the Nippes until early this morning, killing at least 15 people, 7 missing and 23 wounded. Heavy rains pelted the area, bending palm trees and kicking up surf. "If the rain continues, we'll be flooded," U.N. consultant Jean Gardy said from the south-eastern town of Marigot. It was difficult to ascertain the extent of the damage to the nation's crops on Wednesday because the rains did not stop. It is too early to have a full idea about the impact of the hurricane; however it is clear that the South East, the West, the Nippes, and probably Grand’Anse are severely hit. The low ground in the city of Jacmel is flooded. The surrounding cities of Jacmel, Bainet, Marigot, and Cayes-Jacmel registered important damage. Large areas in the department are isolated. The Grand Anse region is also heavily hit and the situation continues to be critical. Christian Aid and LWF partners have reported floods, destroyed infrastructure and material loss.

LWF partners have reported that the river Grise has burst its banks and flooded the areas of Plateau and Vaudreuil in Cite Soleil in the northern part of Port-au-Prince, causing extensive material loss both to property and agricultural cultivation. This information is confirmed by Veterimed, one of Christian Aid partners working in this area. LWF is supporting the CHAAB project there and Christian Aid is supporting Veterimed with a dairy project. No loss of life is reported at this stage by both by Christian Aid and LWF, but houses have been severely damaged, property and belongings destroyed and the damage to the plantations seem extensive. However the Veterimed dairy is intact.

Generally speaking, while many human lives have been saved also thanks to early warning systems, material losses and especially losses of animals, gardens and agricultural cultivations are potentially creating a severe crisis in the weeks and months to come.

3. National and international response

At this stage, actions have focused on coordination through the activation of Emergency Operation Centers, public information and protection of the population. UN/OCHA is coordinating the international response and Direction de la Protection Civile is taking the lead in coordinating efforts in the country. ACT members are part of the coordination.

4. ACT International response

Information gathering and assessment of the situation based on reports is ongoing. No specific actions are underway now as the situation continues to be acute and access to areas is impossible. ACT members are coordinating and sharing information among members and will be meeting in the coming days to determine what specific actions to undertake.

5. Planned activities

As of 27 August ACT members were starting to evaluate the need for response and based on initial assessment some response is foreseen. Initial concrete activities will be planned with the situation developing and taking into account the coordinated response of other major actors (Haitian state authorities, UN, other NGOs). A preliminary appeal is planned to be issued next week when assessments have been made. Initial plans are including both elements of immediate response to the displaced population and rehabilitation activities related to housing and food security.

Any funding indication or pledge should be communicated to Jessie Kgoroeadira, ACT Finance Officer (jkg@act-intl.org).

ACT Alert

Haiti - 35/2008

Hurricane Gustav





									ACT Alert Haiti - 35/2008 Hurricane Gustav Geneva, 28 August 2008 1. Brief description of the emergency Hurricane Gustav hit the Hispaniola Island Tuesday 26 August 2008 and its effects have continued to plague Haiti even when it has moved slowly Thursday towards Jamaica and has become a tropical storm. According to the National Meteorology Center, the threat of further rains did not stop. What has already resulted, however, is widespread flooding over Haiti’s South East, Nippes, West and Grand Anse regions. This was due to incessant rains that started Tuesday 26 and are expected to continue as Gustav has been stagnated near Haiti. The rains Gustav unleashes have already caused several rivers to burst their banks and major river valleys in the Nippes, South East, West (Capital area) and Grand Anse. ACT members Christian Aid (CA) and its partners GRAMIR and COHIMRU, as well as the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe (DKH) - local team and partners in the South East, have reported important damages in infrastructure and agriculture in the Nippes, Grand’Anse and the South East as well as in the capital area. In general losses to housing, public infrastructure and agricultural production seem to be heavy. Several bridges are feared damaged and will thus complicate overland travel to reach the affected areas. As the rain is still falling, the danger of further inundations and mudslides increases. It is important to note that the damage to agricultural production is critical in the present situation of food insecurity reigning in the country (2.3 million people at present in a situation of moderate to acute risk). 2. Impact Gustav crossed the southern peninsula of Haiti on Tuesday evening and the Meteorology Center reported the system remained stationary over the Nippes until early this morning, killing at least 15 people, 7 missing and 23 wounded. Heavy rains pelted the area, bending palm trees and kicking up surf. "If the rain continues, we'll be flooded," U.N. consultant Jean Gardy said from the south-eastern town of Marigot. It was difficult to ascertain the extent of the damage to the nation's crops on Wednesday because the rains did not stop. It is too early to have a full idea about the impact of the hurricane; however it is clear that the South East, the West, the Nippes, and probably Grand’Anse are severely hit. The low ground in the city of Jacmel is flooded. The surrounding cities of Jacmel, Bainet, Marigot, and Cayes-Jacmel registered important damage. Large areas in the department are isolated. The Grand Anse region is also heavily hit and the situation continues to be critical. Christian Aid and LWF partners have reported floods, destroyed infrastructure and material loss. LWF partners have reported that the river Grise has burst its banks and flooded the areas of Plateau and Vaudreuil in Cite Soleil in the northern part of Port-au-Prince, causing extensive material loss both to property and agricultural cultivation. This information is confirmed by Veterimed, one of Christian Aid partners working in this area. LWF is supporting the CHAAB project there and Christian Aid is supporting Veterimed with a dairy project. No loss of life is reported at this stage by both by Christian Aid and LWF, but houses have been severely damaged, property and belongings destroyed and the damage to the plantations seem extensive. However the Veterimed dairy is intact. Generally speaking, while many human lives have been saved also thanks to early warning systems, material losses and especially losses of animals, gardens and agricultural cultivations are potentially creating a severe crisis in the weeks and months to come. 3. National and international response At this stage, actions have focused on coordination through the activation of Emergency Operation Centers, public information and protection of the population. UN/OCHA is coordinating the international response and Direction de la Protection Civile is taking the lead in coordinating efforts in the country. ACT members are part of the coordination. 4. ACT International response Information gathering and assessment of the situation based on reports is ongoing. No specific actions are underway now as the situation continues to be acute and access to areas is impossible. ACT members are coordinating and sharing information among members and will be meeting in the coming days to determine what specific actions to undertake. 5. Planned activities As of 27 August ACT members were starting to evaluate the need for response and based on initial assessment some response is foreseen. Initial concrete activities will be planned with the situation developing and taking into account the coordinated response of other major actors (Haitian state authorities, UN, other NGOs). A preliminary appeal is planned to be issued next week when assessments have been made. Initial plans are including both elements of immediate response to the displaced population and rehabilitation activities related to housing and food security. Any funding indication or pledge should be communicated to Jessie Kgoroeadira, ACT Finance Officer (jkg@act-intl.org). ACT Home Latest news Appeals & Updates Top of Page