OCHA Situation Report No. 1
Haiti: Floods
17 October 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 the 
field.

SITUATION OVERVIEW

1. Since late September 2007, heavy rains have affected most of the 
regions in Haiti. During the first two weeks of October 2007, the 
Meteorology National Center of Haiti has launched several warning alerts 
to inform population about eventual disasters. Although a progressive 
improvement of the weather conditions was envisaged as of Monday 15 
October, the National System on Risk and Disaster Management (SNGRD) 
maintains a yellow alert level (moderate risk), with persistent threats 
of overflowing rivers, floods and landslides.

2. The entire country has been affected by heavy rains with major impact 
in the South, West and Artibonite Departments. Proper assessment has 
been rendered difficult by the lack of access in the most remote areas. 
The Haitian Government reported a total of 37 deaths, 4 missing people 
and 78 wounded individuals. According to the Department of Civil Defense 
(DPC), at least 14,504 families were affected by the latest flooding 
among which 3,349 persons in the South, West, Artibonite Departments 
were temporarily displaced. Cabaret, in the West Department, is one of 
the most affected areas with reportedly 27 deaths and 985 people in 
temporary shelters.

3. Regarding material damages, the DPC further informed that 1,008 
houses were destroyed and 4,708 were seriously damaged. Some roads in 
the South and Artibonite Departments were blocked, and large agriculture 
areas flooded.

NATIONAL RESPONSE

4. The Departmental Committees on Risk and Disaster Management (CDGRD), 
supported by the DPC at central level, continue to coordinate rapid 
assessments and emergency response, as well as the information 
management on damages and needs. Until now, eight consolidated reports 
summarising damages and needs were produced, as well as reports on 
completed and on-going actions.

5. Bad road conditions and overflowing rivers are hampering the 
assessment missions. However, several field missions were carried out by 
the Ministry of Interior. Two overflights allowing a general assessment 
of the situation were organized with MINUSTAH and OCHA support in the 
South and the Artibonite Departments. The ministries of Public Health 
and Social Affairs dispatched technical staff to evaluate the situation 
and support the population. Sectorial evaluations on agriculture damages 
will be held in the forthcoming days.

6. Emergency funds amounting Haitian Gourde 10.2 million (about USD 
290,000), were released by the Haitian Government to facilitate the 
delivery of assistance. In addition, the Ministry of Interior provided 
2,500 mattresses and 1,259 hygiene kits to the most affected families. 
The Ministry of Public Works is already engaged in roads repair in the 
Artibonite, and streets cleaning in Cabaret (West Department).

10. The Haitian Red Cross provided 100 hygiene and kitchen kits, 100 
mattresses, 200 blankets and 205 mosquito nets.

HUMANITARIAN PARTNERS RESPONSE

11. At regional level, MINUSTAH emergency focal points, as well as 
present international partners, played a supportive role and assisted 
the CDGRD, in coordinating activities, compiling and verifying 
information, disseminating alerts, carrying rapid damage assessments, 
and preparing situation maps.

12. In addition, MINUSTAH, in particular the regional offices and the 
deployed military contingents, is supporting the Government to evacuate 
population and carry out road and overall damage assessment.

13. International partners present in affected areas also provided 
humanitarian aid, mainly from their pre-positioned stocks. In the South, 
Concern provided 500 hygiene and kitchen kits, and 1,000 blankets. CRS 
also provided 50 hygiene and kitchen kits. Furthermore, the Foundation 
Terre des Hommes provided 200 hygiene kits, 100 kitchen kits and 2,000 
aquatabs. In the Artibonite, CARE deployed 16 tents for temporary 
shelters and supported rapid assessments. World Vision distributed 
clothes, shoes, sheets, and plastic sheeting for affected people in the 
West Department.

14. As far as UN Agencies are concerned, UNICEF provided 1,000 hygiene 
kits, 300 kitchen kits, 25 baby hygiene kits and 600 water containers 
for the South Department. Furthermore, in the West and Artibonite 
Departments, UNICEF provided 1,000 hygiene kits, 500 kitchen kits, 25 
baby hygiene kits, 1000 water containers, and 1,000 blankets.

15. In addition, PAHO/WHO supported the damage assessment in the health 
center in Cavaillon (South). In the Artibonite, IOM distributed 159 
blankets, 96 towels, 204 units of toilet paper, 300 toilet soap units, 
50 boxes of cloth washing soaps, and 30 packets of diapers. WFP made 
available HEB stocks for 3-day emergency food distribution in the 
Artibonite and West Department.

16. Regarding other international partners, the Canadian Embassy granted 
Canadian Dollar 20,000 (USD 20,500) for affected people in the South.

Contact details

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

Desk officer (New York):
Mr. Ignacio Leon-Garcia (leoni@un.org )
Tel. +1 917 367 9960

Press contact (Geneva):
Ms. Elisabeth Byrs (byrs@un.org)
Tel. +41 22 917 2653

Press contact (New York):
Ms. Stephanie Bunker (bunker@un.org )
Tel. +1 917 367 5126

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