Haiti situation update November 2nd:UN-OCHA report

I. HIGHLIGHTS/KEY PRIORITIES

• According to the Civil Protection (DPC), Haiti is in the trajectory of Hurricane Tomas, which is expected to impact Haiti on Friday 5 November. In collaboration with the DPC, the UN and humanitarian community have activated contingency plans for hurricane response.

• Planning figures of 100,000 families affected means 150,000 tarpaulins and 100,000 blankets will be needed in addition to contingency stock already in country.

• The MSPP, UN and humanitarian community continue to respond to the cholera outbreak.

• The health cluster reports five cholera treatment centres (CTCs) in Port-au-Prince are operational as well as three others in Arcahaie, St Marc and Léogane.

II. Situation Overview

In anticipation of Hurricane Tomas, the Civil Protection (DPC) is taking the lead and has activated its hurricane contingency plans nationwide. The DPC held a press conference on 31 October where delegates and magistrates have been asked to mobilize all resources and to raise awareness amongst the population. Key messages will be shared to urge the population to move into safe houses of friends and relatives. A meeting took place with the President, Prime Minister, the UN and other actors to look at different scenarios of the trajectory of the hurricane, which is expected to cause strong winds and rain nationwide for several days. The National Centre of Meteorology (CMN) is also emphasizing the risk of high tides up to 3 to 3.5 metres, specifically in Les Cayes and Gonaives. The Prime Minister has agreed to the United States mobilizing the USS Iwo Jima, which will augment already existing logistical capability from the logistics cluster and MINUSTAH. The Force Commander of MINUSTAH has been put on stand-by, as well as assets, logistics and engineering capacity. MINUSTAH has also been asked to provide military support in the southern departments. The President will travel to Les Cayes to meet with delegates from all southern departments on 1 November. The UN Humanitarian Coordinator will go to Jacmel, Jérémie, Les Cayes and Miragoane on 1 November to meet with humanitarian actors, the MINUSTAH staff contingence and local officials to discuss preparedness.

In coordination with the DPC, departmental level plans are operational and the humanitarian community is currently mobilizing contingency stocks and logistical assets. All personnel in the west and southern parts of Haiti are on stand by to respond the needs resulting from the hurricane. Additional shelter is being prepared and trucks filled with material are being sent to the coastal areas. Food has been prepositioned in key locations and a barge is available to move cargo along the coast if roads are rendered inaccessible. The Red Cross announced that it’s mobilizing 250 volunteers to perform evacuations, if needed, and the organisation is also contributing 10 million water purification tablets and 12 water treatment plants. An additional 5 million tablets are in reserve, if required.

The Ministry of Health (MSPP) did not release any new numbers of cholera cases today. The MSPP, WHO/PAHO, the UN and humanitarian partners continue to treat cholera cases while working to stop the spread of the disease. Health partners throughout Haiti are preparing for the impact of Hurricane Thomas. Health inventories of supplies that were part of the contingency plan are being replenished.