Caribbean: Storm (Michelle) - OCHA-10: 11-Nov-01
OCHA Situation Report No. 10
Hurricane Michelle - Honduras
11 November 2001
Honduras
1. Rainy conditions continue in the north of Honduras (Atlantic coast) as
a cold front interacts with a low-pressure system. As a precautionary
measure, the Permanent Contingency Commission (COPECO) declared a yellow
alert for the departments of Gracias A Dios, Colon, Atlantida, Cortes,
Yoro and Islas de la Bahia.
2. As a consequence of current weather conditions, the airport in La
Ceiba was closed 10 November and humanitarian airlift operations between
La Ceiba and Puerto Lempira in the department of Gracias A Dios had to be
suspended.
3. According to the latest update provided by COPECO on 10 November, the
impact caused by Tropical Storm Michelle is as follows:
Deaths 7
Persons missing 14
Evacuated 25,270
Affected 61,000
Damaged bridges 12
Destroyed bridges 46
Houses affected 1,229
Houses destroyed 73
Schools affected 7
Public buildings damaged 10
4. The United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team,
in country since 8 November, has reported that the United Nations Disaster
Management Team (UNDMT) met on 9 November, with representatives from FAO,
IOM, UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF, UNV, WFP and WHO/PAHO. Great deal of support is
being provided by the UN agencies, particularly by UNDP and IOM, for the
UNDAC team to become quickly operational and integrated with the country
team. Terms of Reference of the UNDAC team and a work programme were
discussed.
5. The UNDAC team also met with officials of COPECO. Coordination
arrangements and joint damage assessment missions were on the agenda for
discussion.
6. The UNDAC team also made contacts with the International Federation of
Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), Honduran Red Cross,
USAID/OFDA, and Save the Children.
7. Two field assessment missions left Tegucigalpa, the capital city, on
10 November. One team, consisting of three UNDAC members and a UNDP staff,
is in San Pedro Sula, Cortes, where COPECO operates an Emergency
Operations Center. This team will cover the departments of Cortes, Santa
Barbara and Yoro. Another team, consisting of two UNDAC members and an IOM
staff, is in La Ceiba, Atlantida. This team will cover the departments of
Atlantida, Colon and Gracias A Dios. COPECO is also operating an Emergency
Operations Center in La Ceiba.
8. Both teams will work in close cooperation with the Emergency
Operations Centers of COPECO, and will be accompanied by COPECO officials
throughout the duration of the damage and needs assessment missions.
International Response
9. The following cash/in-kind contributions have been reported to the
UNDAC team:
Mexico Humanitarian flight with tents, mattresses, etc. 3 helicopters for
logistics operations
Republic of China USD 63,600 to COPECO
USA USD 50,000 to COPECO for logistics and fuel
USD 50,000 through America Red Cross
100 rolls of plastic sheeting to COPECO (value: USD 35,000)
4 flights of Cheenook helicopters (value: USD 70,000)
3 disaster management experts
German Red Cross USD 25,000 through Honduran Red Cross
Mexican Red Cross Humanitarian flight with 8 MT of food
10. WFP will assist 3,500 families in the department of Yoro through the
project 'food for work'. 504 MT of food supplies, valued at USD 250,000,
will be used to rehabilitate the water supply and drainage systems and for
the agricultural sector.
11. PAHO/WHO will support the Ministry of Health in the following
activities among others:
- To facilitate travels of the officials of the Ministry of Health for
assessment missions
- To provide two sanitation experts to support needs analysis and response
activities in San Pedro Sula and La Ceiba
- Epidemiological surveillance and vector control
12. UNICEF, with the support of UNICEF- El Salvador, distributed the
following items with the collaboration of COPECO:
- 20 water containers (5,000 and 7,500 liters)
- 1,400 water filters (family kit for 6 people for 4-6 months)
- 2,000 oral rehydration salts (one liter)
- 10 tents ( 25 square meters )
- 3,000 liters of milk and 3,638 gallons of water to assist 3,000
families
13. For coordination purposes, donors are requested to inform OCHA
Geneva, on relief missions/pledges/contributions and their corresponding
values by item. Donors are encouraged to notify OCHA Geneva of their
contributions to this disaster using the OCHA Standardised Contributions
Recording Format, available electronically at the OCHA Internet Website at
http://www.reliefweb.int.
14. OCHA is prepared to serve as channel for cash contributions to be
used for immediate relief assistance, in co-ordination/consultation with
relevant organizations in the United Nations system. Funds should be
transferred to OCHA account no. CO-590.160.0, Swift code: UBSWCHZ12A at
the UBS AG, P.O. Box 2770, CH-1211 Geneva 2, with reference: "OCHA -Name
of Country- Hurricane Michelle-". OCHA provides donors with written
confirmation and pertinent details concerning the utilization of the funds
contributed.
15. This situation report, together with further information on ongoing
emergencies, is also available on the OCHA Internet Website at
http://www.reliefweb.int.
Telephone: +41-22-91712 34
Fax: +41-22-917 00 23
E-mail: ochagva@un.org
In case of emergency only: Tel. +41-22-917 20 10
Desk Officers (OCHA Response Coordination Branch):
Mr. E. Haegglund / Ms. M. Kondo
Direct Tel. +41-22-917 32 99 / 1997
Press contact:
(GVA) Ms. Elizabeth Byrs, direct Tel. +41-22-917 26 56
(NYC) Ms. Phyllis Lee, direct Tel. +1-212-963 48 32
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