OCHA Situation Report No. 1
Haiti: Floods
28 March 2007


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

This situation report is based on information received from the 
Government, UN Agencies, MINUSTAH and other humanitarian partners in 
Haiti.

SITUATION OVERVIEW

1. By mid-March 2007, heavy rains affected several regions in Haiti. The 
National System on Risk and Disaster Management (SNGRD) still maintains 
moderated alert on strong rains, with which may cause the overflowing of 
rivers, floods and landslides, in most of the country. Nevertheless, 
there was a progressive improvement of the weather conditions since 
Tuesday morning, March 27.

2. All the country has been affected by heavy rains, being the 
south-western and the north-eastern the two most affected regions. The 
West Department also registered some damage. The Civil Protection 
Direction (DPC) reported eight (8) deaths, one (1) missing person, and 
seven (7) injured. At least, 381 families (approximately 2,000 people) 
were affected by flooding, of whom 80 families (approximately 500 
people) are in provisional shelters (schools) in the North-East 
Department (Ferrier and Ouanaminthe). It was also reported that 30 
additional families are temporary sheltered in Abricots (Grande-Anse).

3. The DPC further informed that 37 houses were destroyed and 60 more 
seriously damaged. Some roads in North-East and Grande-Anse are blocked, 
and large agriculture areas are flooded.

NATIONAL RESPONSE

4. The departmental committees on risk and disaster management (CDGRD), 
supported by DPC at central level, continue to coordinate rapid 
assessments and emergency response, as well as information on damages 
and needs. In Ouanaminthe (North-East), a "crisis cell" was set-up under 
the leadership of the Mayor and with the support of humanitarian 
partners, including MINUSTAH regional offices,

5. The bad condition of roads and the overflowing of rivers are 
hampering the assessment missions. Sectorial evaluations on agriculture 
damages and the road infrastructure will be carried out in the 
forthcoming days. Prevention and mitigation activities, in particular 
cleaning-up of canals, will be included in a medium-term plan.

6. The Ministry of Interior, the DPC, the Humanitarian and Development 
Coordination Section (HDCS) of MINUSTAH and OCHA agreed that DPC will be 
responsible for the preparation of a consolidated situation report on 
damages and needs. If necessary, DPC, on behalf of the Government, will 
officially appeal for additional assistance. Until now DPC already 
presented three (3) consolidated reports.

7. The Haitian Government allocated an emergency fund amounting at 
Haitian Gourde 2 million (approximately USD 54,000) in order to assist 
the disaster affected people. Under the leadership of the Finance 
Departmental Delegate a committee integrating the Public Works and 
Agriculture Delegates will be responsible for the management of the 
referred fund. In Ouanaminthe the emergency funds will be used for the 
provision of mattresses and clothes for children.

8. The Ministry of Interior requested MINUSTAH support to over-fly 
Cap-Haitian (North), and Ferrier and Ouanaminthe (North-East). A joint 
delegation of the Ministry of Interior, Civil Protection Direction, 
MINUSTAH and OCHA flew over Cap-Haitian and landed in Ouanaminthe. Two 
DPC disaster experts have been deployed to the North-East Department to 
support the CDGRD actions.

HUMANITARIAN PARTNERS RESPONSE

9. At regional level, in support of the CDGRD, the focal points of 
MINUSTAH and other international partners, such as the World Food 
Program (WFP) in North, took part on the coordination meetings. At 
central level, OCHA supported DPC, in terms of compilation and 
verification of information, dissemination of alerts, rapid damage 
assessments, and on the preparation of situation maps.

10. MINUSTAH, in particular the regional offices and the deployed 
military contingents, are supporting the Government to facilitate the 
road assessment and to identify the main damages.

11. The Uruguayan contingent in Ouanaminthe (North) facilitated the 
evacuation of population on at-risk areas and also the provision of 
drinking water.

12. After a first evaluation, WFP decided to provide food assistance to 
approximately 500 people in temporary shelters in Ferrier and 
Ouanaminthe (North), for a period of 14 days. WFP is also considering 
supporting the affected families for an extended period after their 
return to their areas of origin. Two (2) trucks with food aid for the 
sheltered people have already been sent to the above referred affected 
areas.

14. FAO will support the Ministry of Agriculture to conduct agricultural 
assessments on the coming days

15. Concerning the Grande-Anse Department, the Haitian Red Cross (CRH) 
has already mobilized first need NFI, such as blankets, hygiene and 
kitchen kits. 16. Oxfam UK will assist the Northern department 
authorities on the provision of drinking water.

Contact details

In case of emergency only: Tel. +41 22 917 20 10

Desk officer
  NYC - Mr. Ignacio Leon-Garcia, Tel. +1 917 367 9960

Press contact
  GVA - Ms. Elizabeth Byrs, Tel. +41 22 917 2653
  NYC - Ms. Stephanie Bunker, Tel. +1 917 367 5126

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