Situation Reports - Public

Press Release:More CARICOM Health Personnel for Haiti

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 21:29:00 GMT

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CDEMA Situation Report 11

Sun, 07 Feb 2010 17:23:00 GMT

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Haiti Earthquake update #10

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 21:50:00 GMT

Please see attached.

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CDEMA Sitrep#9 CARICOM Strengthening Haiti Relief Activities

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 22:02:00 GMT

SIT REP #9

HAITI EARTHQUAKE

By CDEMA

Thursday, January 21, 2010

MESSAGE: 7.0 HAITI EARTHQUAKE UPDATE #9 CARICOM Strengthening Haiti Relief Activities (As at 16:00 hrs, January 21, 2010)

THE SITUATION:

An aftershock of magnitude 6.1 was felt as late as yesterday January 20, 2010 in Haiti. No significant damages were reported as a result of the aftershock.

However, the situation on the island is improving slowly. Efforts are being made to clean the main thoroughfares and collect some of the garbage off the streets. There are at least two areas where garbage is set on fire in an attempt to dispose of it.

Commerce has restarted throughout the city of Port-au-Prince along the roadside with hundreds of vendors selling from cooked food to gasoline and general merchandise.

Thousands of people continue to traffic throughout the city during the daylight periods (in vehicles and on foot) and there are numerous traffic jams especially en-route to and from the airport. There are no reports of dead bodies around the roadside

REGIONAL RESPONSE ACTIONS:

The CARICOM Contingent continues to provide emergency response and relief support to the affected population in Port of Prince from two locations.

Main Base: A main base camp is established at the Food for the Poor compound where the administration and logistics functions are carried out. This is about one mile from the airport and is a secure and clean location. The CARICOM forces provide the security for the entire complex and are supported by the local security guards who function as translators.

Command Post: CARICOM has established a command post at the Toussaint L’Ouverture International Airport to manage the logistics and coordination of CARICOM relief aid and personnel arriving in Haiti.

Duties: The Contingent continues to provide Security for search and rescue teams and security details around both camps. They are also providing escorts for both the United Nations food distribution and Food for the Poor convoys.

Communications: The Command Post has established radio communications to support operations on the ground. Digicel, the local telecommunications network, has donated 20 hand held radios to support CARICOM relief activities. Local cell phone service remains intermittent text messaging has proven to be more reliable.

Regional Fund Raising and Pledges (New)

Antigua and Barbuda has dispatched relief supplies via the LIAT provided aircraft to the regional staging point for relief activities in Haiti, Jamaica. The Government of Antigua and Barbuda has opened an account at the Antigua Commercial Bank to receive donations for the Haiti relief fund. Other find raising activities are being planned.

Guyana: US$13, 000.00 was raised in a countrywide telethon for the Haiti relief effort. Guyana also has available for donation two (2) containers of lumber as well as bottled water, bottled refined oil and pharmaceuticals.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines: EC$ 37,000.00 was raised in a countrywide telethon for the Haiti relief effort. They are also making available a 20 ft container with water and a 40 ft container with food supplies.

Virgin Islands: US$80,000.00 has been pledged to the Haiti relief effort and. Another US$180,000.00 was raised by civil society. In addition two (2) doctors along with orthopedic tools and supplies for surgeries were sent to Haiti via charter flights secured by the Rotary Clubs.

CONTACT DETAILS: The CDEMA CU 24-hour contact number is (246) 425 0386.

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Haiti Earthquake Situation Report # 8

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 00:57:00 GMT

SIT REP #8

HAITI EARTHQUAKE
By CDEMA
Monday, 18, January, 2010

MESSAGE: 7.0 HAITI EARTHQUAKE UPDATE #8 CARICOM�s front line response in Haiti providing health services and search and rescue support (As at 15:30 hrs, January 17, 2010)

THE EVENT:

Port-au Prince, the capital city of Haiti has been devastated by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake which struck the island on Tuesday, January 12, 2010. Damage has been of catastrophic proportions with almost 80 percent of the structures in the capital destroyed. There has been significant loss of life and it is estimated that approximately three (3) million people (or one third of the population) has been affected. An aftershock measuring 4.6 magnitude was reported to have been felt this afternoon.

THE SITUATION:

The Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), leading the CARICOM Response in Haiti, has identified areas that have been severely affected and have not received humanitarian support. Additionally, the distribution of supplies is being challenged by limited transport and limited fuel supplies.

Search and Rescue efforts are continuing despite the passage of the critical 72 hour period but are reportedly hampered by inaccessibility to areas, lack of heavy duty equipment and limited fuel supplies.

CARICOM support teams are communicating via email, satellite phones and VHF radios even as overall communication in Haiti remains a major challenge.

According to the Haiti Ministry of the Interior, Department of Civil Protection: many injuries, deaths and loss of homes are reported from Leogane (1,300 injured, 581 deaths), Petit Goave (2,000 injured), Grand Goave (3,000 injured, 14,000 homeless, and Gressier (80% of homes destroyed.

There has been an influx of people to Gonaive, San Marc and Jiman. Local hospitals are overwhelmed.

ACCESSIBILITY:

The airport in Haiti is open for daytime operations and at this time entry is restricted to military and humanitarian flights. There is no possibility of any over-flights due to very limited staffing.
Refueling options at Port au Prince Toussaint L'Ouverture International Airport (MPTT) are uncertain. Once (if) the ground stop is released, aircrafts filed for MPTT should plan at least one hour of holding fuel and enough extra fuel to get to a secondary airport after departing.

The Port is currently non-operational.

Availability of ground transportation in Haiti is a challenge for rescue operations. The main access road into Port au Prince has been cleared and is open. Secondary roads are still blocked. The road from Jacmel to Port au Prince is passable for "all terrain" vehicles (i.e. 4WD). The road from Santo Domingo to Port au Prince is becoming congested as much cargo is already moving.

REGIONAL RESPONSE ACTIONS:

The Tactical Advance Party (TAP) for CARICOM arrived in Haiti yesterday and met with the Cabinet Minister of the Interior Ministry Mr. Pierre Andre Paul to discuss Haiti�s immediate needs and CARICOM�s proposed responses. The team is also liaising with international donor and response agencies providing humanitarian support to the Government of Haiti.

Logistical arrangements on the ground are being advanced to strengthen CARICOM�s front line response through Jamaica, the Sub Regional Focal Point, which is being executed as follows:

1. Medical staff are performing minor surgeries and procedures at the Bernard News Hospital and the Freres Community Hospital in Haiti.
2. Firefighters from the Jamaican Fire Brigade assembled into two teams are performing Search and Rescue missions under the auspices of the International Search and Rescue Association located at the Toussaint L�Ouverture International Airport. Preliminary reports indicate that three people have been rescued by the team so far; and
3. CARICOM�s Contingent members are performing security tasks associated with search and rescue and medical intervention missions.

The CARICOM Secretariat facilitated a teleconference today with the Bureau of CARICOM Health Ministers comprising the Honourable Leslie Ramsammy of Guyana, Honourable Donville Inniss of Barbados, Honourable Anne Peters of Grenada and CDEMA and PAHO to discuss the further actions for implementing the CARICOM health intervention in Haiti. This will be further elaborated through a teleconference involving Ministers of Health and Chief Medical Officers of CARICOM states tomorrow Tuesday, January 19, 2010.

The outcomes of this teleconference will be shared with National Disaster Coordinators of CDEMA Participating States at a teleconference immediately thereafter where the logistical details and country pledge assistance for the delivery of the intervention will be advanced.
Director of National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) in Saint Lucia Ms. Dawn French will be deployed to Haiti tomorrow January 19, 2010 to provide Emergency support to the Emergency Operations Centre in support of the Civil Defence Commission in Haiti.

Arrangements are currently underway to facilitate deployment of the CARICOM Disaster Relief Unit (CDRU) into Haiti on Thursday 21, January 2010. The CDRU is estimated to comprise thirty-one (31) members from the CDEMA Participating States, namely Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Guyana, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Areas of critical need are being identified.

CDEMA continues to communicate with the JDF and the Department of Civil Protection in Haiti following the initiation of contact on January 14, 2010 and the Tactical Advance Party (TAP) who are currently in Haiti. HAM Radio communication although limited, is being monitored with the support of the Barbados Amateur Radio Society who is keeping CDEMA updated on critical information as it emerges.

PLEDGES:

Pledges continue to be received:

The Virgin Islands UK has pledged US$80,000.00 to the Haiti relief activities.

CONTACT DETAILS: The CDEMA CU 24-hour contact number is (246) 425 0386.

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Haiti Earthquake Update #6 CARICOM advances efforts to provide health related support to Haiti.

Sat, 16 Jan 2010 21:20:00 GMT

SIT REP #6
HAITI EARTHQUAKE
By CDEMA
Saturday, 16 Jan, 2010

MESSAGE: 7.0 HAITI EARTHQUAKE UPDATE #6 CARICOM advances efforts to provide health related support to Haiti. (As at 15:30 hrs, January 16, 2010)

THE EVENT:
Port-au Prince, the capital city of Haiti has been devastated by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake which struck the island on Tuesday, January 12, 2010. Damage has been of catastrophic proportions with almost 80 percent of the structures in the capital destroyed. There has been significant loss of life and it is estimated that approximately three (3) million people (or one third of the population) has been affected.

THE SITUATION:
Search and Rescue efforts are continuing but are reportedly hampered by inaccessibility to areas, lack of heavy duty equipment and limited fuel supplies. Communication on the ground remains very poor. All efforts are being made to restore communication as soon as possible.

ACCESSIBILITY:
Jamaica has offered the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston as a staging area for the deployment of relief assistance to Haiti. The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assumed responsibility for facilitating access by air. Entities proposing flights into Haiti are encouraged to make contact with the Director of Civil Aviation in Jamaica.

The airport in Haiti is open for daytime operations and at this time entry is restricted to military and humanitarian flights. No possibility of any over-flights due to very limited staffing.

There is no fuel available at Port au Prince Toussaint L'Ouverture International Airport (MPTT). Once (if) the ground stop is released, aircraft filed for MTPP should plan at least one hour of holding fuel and enough extra fuel to get to a secondary airport after departing MTPP without refueling.

The Port is currently non-operational.

Main urban roads in Port au Prince (including the airport road) are being cleared by MINUSTAH and the Brazilian battalion. The road from Jacmel to Port au Prince is passable for "all terrain" vehicles (i.e. 4WD). The road from Santo Domingo to Port au Prince is becoming congested as much cargo is already moving.

REGIONAL RESPONSE ACTIONS:
The Tactical Advance Party for CARICOM, previously called “The Regional Technical Assessment Team”, is confirmed to depart Barbados for Haiti on Sunday, January 17, 2010 at 6:30 AM. This team will harness information and establish logistical arrangement for delivery of the Region’s Health Sector intervention.
CDEMA convened a meeting today with the Minister of Health in Barbados, Honourable Donville Inniss and the Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Joy St. John as an input to strengthen the arrangements for CARICOM intervention in the health sector in Haiti.
As part of the CARICOM effort in Haiti, the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) has deployed 254 soldiers and 29 medical personnel to Haiti. Warehousing facilities have been established and they are receiving relief supplies. A base has been secured to accommodate the CARICOM Disaster Relief Unit (CDRU) contingent, which is expected to arrive in Haiti on Tuesday, 19 January 2010.

JDF personnel will work towards restoring cell phone communications and disseminate relief supplies. The Office for Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) in Jamaica has secured limited fuel supplies (air and sea) for search, rescue and relief operations to be carried out by JDF and CDRU.

CDEMA continues to communicate with the JDF and the Department of Civil Protection in Haiti following the initiation of contact on January 14, 2010. HAM Radio communication although limited, is being monitored with the support of the Barbados Amateur Radio Society.

PLEDGES:
Pledges continue to be received:

i.    Three volunteers from Grenada have offered support relief efforts in Haiti.
ii.    Anguilla Fire and Rescue Service is working through a Miami Fire Agency offer support to response teams and the Anguillan Red Cross has two accounts set up to receive donations for Haiti. Other forms of relief items are being sought from the general public.
iii.    The Government of Suriname has pledged an initial amount of USD 1 million, and military and police troops to assist in the security and relief efforts. There is a 40 ft container load with Blankets, water, stretchers ready to be shipped. The Fire Department of Suriname also has a rescue unit and Hi-Jet Helicopters ready to be deployed.

CONTACT DETAILS: The CDEMA CU 24-hour contact number is             1(246) 425 0386         1(246) 425 0386

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Haiti Earthquake Update #5- CARICOM Intervention in Haiti to focus on the Health Sector

Sat, 16 Jan 2010 02:12:00 GMT

SIT REP #5
HAITI EARTHQUAKE
By CDEMA
Frida y, 15 Jan, 2010

MESSAGE: 7.0 HAITI EARTHQUAKE UPDATE #5 CARICOM Intervention in Haiti to focus on the Health Sector. (As at 9.00 PM, January 15, 2010)

THE EVENT:
Port-au Prince, the capital city of Haiti has been devastated by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake which struck the island on Tuesday, January 12, 2010. Damage has been of catastrophic proportions with almost 80 percent of the structures in the capital destroyed. There has been significant loss of life and it is estimated that approximately three (3) million people (or one third of the population) has been affected.

THE SITUATION:
Search and Rescue efforts are continuing but are reportedly hampered by inaccessibility to areas and lack of heavy duty equipment. Hospitals and health facilities have been severely affected and the health issues of those affected remain an immediate concern.

ACCESSIBILITY:
Jamaica has offered the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston as a staging area for the deployment of relief assistance to Haiti. The airport in Haiti is open for daytime operations and at this time entry is restricted to military and humanitarian flights. The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assumed responsibility for facilitating access by air. Entities proposing flights into Haiti are encouraged to make contact with the Director of Civil Aviation in Jamaica.

There has been damage to both sea ports in Haiti. Roads are reportedly extremely difficult to navigate.

REGIONAL RESPONSE ACTIONS:
The high-level meeting convened on January 14, 2010 by The Chairman of CARICOM, the Honourable Roosevelt Skerrit, Prime Minister of Dominica; and hosted by the Honourable Bruce Golding, Prime Minister of Jamaica has identified the Health Sector as the agreed area of focus for the coordinated regional intervention.

CDEMA Participating States have been invited to identify areas of potential support based on the requirements of the health based intervention.

The Regional Technical Assessment team is undertaking final preparations for deployment to Haiti on Sunday, January 16, 2010. This team will harness information to inform the nature and scope of the region’s Health Sector intervention.
The Government of Jamaica has agreed to receive earthquake victims in their hospitals which have been placed on alert.

The Secretariat of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States has been engaged to assist in the procurement of medical supplies for the coordinated intervention.

The Emergency Relief Grant Funding through the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) is being accessed by CDEMA on behalf of Haiti.

Options are being explored for the transportation of relief supplies and personnel.

CDEMA continues to communicate with the Department of Civil Protection in Haiti following the initiation of contact on January 14, 2010. HAM Radio communication although limited is being monitored with the support of the Barbados Amateur Radio Society.

PLEDGES:
Pledges continue to be received:

i.   The Government of Grenada has pledged US $100,000.
ii.   Regional air carrier LIAT has pledged one aircraft and pilots to support the regional response efforts.
iii.   CARILEC the regional association of electric utilities has pledged support to assist with Haiti’s electric utilities.
iv.   LIME Jamaica intends to launch a “TEXT” appeal and all funds received will be made available to CDEMA for the regional response to Haiti.
v.   The International Telecommunication Union has allocated over US$1 million. Equipment and personnel are being deployed to re-establish communication links. ITU will also be setting up a complete cellular system to enable wireless communications. This system is specially designed to assist in strengthening response and recovery mechanisms in a disaster zone.

CONTACT DETAILS: The CDEMA CU 24-hour contact number is 1(246) 425 0386

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7.0 HAITI EARTHQUAKE UPDATE #4 - Jamaica is staging area for flights into Haiti

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 02:27:00 GMT

MESSAGE: 7.0 HAITI EARTHQUAKE UPDATE #4 Jamaica is staging area for flights into Haiti (As at 9.00 PM, January 14, 2010)

The Event:
Haiti was struck by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake on Tuesday, January 12, 2010. The earthquake has resulted in catastrophic damage to the capital Port-Au-Prince and significant loss of life. It is estimated that approximately three (3) million people have been affected.

Reports suggest that several thousand people remain trapped in collapsed buildings making search and rescue a critical need.

Hospitals and health facilities have been severely affected. Immediate health priorities include: treatment of people with major trauma injuries; preventing the infection of wounds; provision of clean water; sanitation; and ensuring breast-feeding is continued.

Communication options remain limited.

Accessibility
Only military and humanitarian flights are being allowed into Haiti at this time. The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is responsible for facilitating access by air.

Jamaica has offered the airport in Kingston as a staging area into Haiti. Entities proposing flights into Haiti are encouraged to make contact with the Director of Civil Aviation in Jamaica.

Both sea ports in Haiti have been damaged. There have been reports of extensive damage to roads.

Regional Response Actions
CDEMA has established contact with the Department of Civil Protection in Haiti who are regrouping and mobilising resources. HAM Radio communication with Haiti has been achieved with some success though limited and is being monitored.

The CARICOM high level delegation left for Haiti today and are expected to arrive in Haiti tomorrow as scheduled. CDEMA’s Executive Director is with the delegation.

The Regional Response Assessment team will now be deployed to Haiti on Saturday January 15, 2010 instead of tomorrow as previously advised due to some unforeseen delays.

The Government of Saint Lucia has launched a Haiti Earthquake Appeal Fund.

The Turks and Caicos Islands have pledged heavy duty equipment and operators as well as medical supplies and personnel.

Pledges
Pledges continue to be received:

i. DHL has confirmed that shipping of relief supplies will be done in conjunction with the Red Cross. DHL Barbados office has also pledge financial aid.
ii. The Government of Canada has pledged 1500 VHF radios and the value of $10,000.000 Canadian dollars worth of batteries.

CONTACT DETAILS: The CDEMA CU 24-hour contact number is 1(246) 425 0386

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7.0 HAITI EARTHQUAKE UPDATE #3 CDEMA Coordinating Pledges of Aid for Haiti

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 23:14:00 GMT

MESSAGE: 7.0 HAITI EARTHQUAKE UPDATE #3 CDEMA Coordinating Pledges of Aid for Haiti

THE EVENT:
A magnitude 7.0 earthquake located 18.451°N, 72.445°W struck the island of Haiti on Tuesday January 12th, 2010 at about 5:53 PM Atlantic Standard Time (AST). According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake struck 15 km (10 miles) South West of Port-au-Prince at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). Aftershocks are still being felt.

Reports indicate that there has been extensive damage to Port-au-Prince and causalities may be in excess of 100,000 and hence an urgent need for search and rescue support. It is estimated that approximately three (3) million people have been affected.

CDEMA has initiated a level three (3) response based on preliminary reports on the extent of devastation in Haiti. This level of activation is initiated in cases where disasters overwhelm the capacity of the affected state(s) to respond. It is the highest level of activation by CDEMA and triggers the Regional Response Mechanism.

PROGNOSIS:
There remains a continuing threat from aftershocks resulting in collapse of damaged structures and the possibility of landslides.

THE SITUATION:
Current preliminary information indicates that there has been wide spread damage in Port Au Prince. Hospitals, government agencies and international organizations buildings are among the buildings that have been damaged or destroyed.

Communication:
CDEMA has established contact with the Department of Civil Protection in Haiti who are regrouping and mobilising resources. HAM Radio communication with Haiti has been achieved with some success though limited and is being monitored.

Utilities:
Utilities including water, electricity and telephone services have been disrupted and communication remains a challenge.

Health:
Hospitals and health facilities have been severely affected. The main hospital in Port-au-Prince has collapsed and two (2) hospitals have been destroyed. PAHO has indicated that immediate health priorities include: search and rescue of survivors trapped underneath rubble; treatment of people with major trauma injuries; preventing the infection of wounds; provision of clean water; sanitation; and ensuring breast-feeding is continued.

Accessibility:
The airport is open to day time flights only. Both sea ports have been damaged. There have been reports of extensive damage to roads

Regional Response Actions

Departing from Barbados today is a regional high powered delegation including the CARICOM Secretary General Edwin Carrington; Chairman of CARICOM, Honourable Roosevelt Skerrit, Prime Minister of Dominica; Prime Minister of Barbados, the Honourable David Thompson; Mr. Jeremy Collymore, Executive Director, CDEMA; Mr. Grantley Watson, the Regional Security Coordinator, RSS, and the Vice President Operations Caribbean Development Bank, Mr. P. Desmond Brunton departed Barbados this evening to meet with Hon. Bruce Golding in Jamaica on Thursday January 14. The delegation will travel to Haiti tomorrow Friday January 15, 2010 to gather data to further inform the nature and scope of the region’s assistance.
The Regional Security System and Search and Rescue teams remain on standby.
A technical team comprising representatives from the CARICOM Secretariat, CDEMA, UWI, IMPACS (the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security) and the Regional Security System (RSS) will be deployed to Haiti on Friday January 15, 2010 to support the political team and carry out the initial assessment. The team will seek :
- To express solidarity with the Government and people of Haiti at this time of need.
- To assure the Government and people of Haiti of the region’s commitment to support the Haiti response efforts in a tangible and effective manner.
- To establish an initial picture of the Government of Haiti’s priority response and recovery needs.
- To conduct an initial assessment of the earthquake impact and identify priority needs.
- To initially define how the CARICOM region’s response can be best articulated for a tangible and effective response from the region.
- To identify logistical arrangements such as transportation, accommodation and other arrangements for receiving incoming humanitarian supplies and personnel, being deployed from the region.
- To determine the way forward for CARICOM support especially in the area of law enforcement and maintenance of public order.
CDEMA is working with international and regional carriers to coordinate the securing of pledges and aid distribution to Haiti.
CDEMA has also defined operational scenarios to inform the scope and framework of the CARICOM interventions.
CDEMA continues to receive pledges from donors and partners.
Suriname has pledges to provide military and police personnel for Haiti. They are currently filling a four (4) feet container with drinking water, blankets and rice to provide assistance in the initial stages.
The CDEMA Coordinating Unit also met with the British High Commission in Barbados to discuss the situation in Haiti and to examine issues surrounding the response efforts. The Department for International Development deployed a five (5) member technical team which is expected to arrive in Haiti today. The team includes four (4) technical experts from the United Kingdom and Mr. Roger Bellers previously deployed on Tuesday. DFID and CDEMA have agreed to liaise on the ground in Haiti for a coordinated response.
Today the CDEMA Coordinating Unit discussed the response efforts for Haiti with the Australian High Commission. The Government of Australia has pledged AUS$10 million for the Haitian Response AUS$1 million of which will be chandelled through CDEMA. CDEMA has already initiated arrangements to access these funds.
The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) will deploy Mr. Phillip Cross, the Caribbean Representative of the ITU who will deliver satellite phones to various organizations to assist in addressing some of the communication challenges being experienced.Action by Partners and CDEMA Non Participating States:

The International Federation of Red Cross has launched an appeal for US $10 million in cash, kind, or services to support the Haitian National Red Cross Society to assist 20, 000 families (100,000 beneficiaries) for nine months.

CONTACT DETAILS: The CDEMA CU 24-hour contact number is 1(246) 425 0386

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(no subject)

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 14:33:00 GMT

MESSAGE: 7.0 HAITI EARTHQUAKE UPDATE #2

THE EVENT:

A magnitude 7.0 earthquake located 18.451°N, 72.445°W struck the island of Haiti on Tuesday January 12th, 2010 at about 5:53 PM Atlantic Standard Time (AST). According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake struck 15 km (10 miles) South West of Port-au-Prince at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). Aftershocks are still being felt.

Initial unconfirmed reports indicate that there has been extensive damage to Port-au-Prince and there may be in excess of 100,000 causalities and hence an urgent need for search and rescue support. It is estimated that approximately three (3) million people have been affected.

CDEMA has initiated a level three (3) response based on preliminary reports on the extent of devastation in Haiti. This level of activation is initiated in cases where disasters overwhelm the capacity of the affected state(s) to respond. It is the highest level of activation by CDEMA and triggers the Regional Response Mechanism.

PROGNOSIS:

Affected areas remain under threat from continuing aftershocks and the possibility of landslides. Additionally, there is the threat from the collapse of damaged structures.

THE SITUATION:

Current preliminary information indicates that there has been wide spread damage in Port Au Prince. Hospitals, government agencies and international organizations buildings are among the buildings that have been damaged or destroyed.

Utilities:

Utilities including water, electricity and telephone services have been disrupted and communication remains a challenge.

Health:

Hospitals and health facilities have been severely affected. The main hospital in Port-au-Prince has collapsed and two (2) hospitals in Turgeau have been destroyed. PAHO has indicated that immediate health priorities include: search and rescue of survivors trapped underneath rubble; treatment of people with major trauma injuries; preventing the infection of wounds; provision of clean water; sanitation; and ensuring breast-feeding is continued.

Accessibility:

The airport is open to humanitarian and private flights only.

There have been reports of extensive damage to roads. The zone of Turgeau, Pakot and Canape Vert are inaccessible.

Response action by Partners and CDEMA Non Participating States:

The World Care Centre of the United States a non-profit organization has made pledges in the form of services.
The United Nations has invoked the International Charter on Space and Major Disasters and it is anticipated that satellite imagery of the affected areas will be available by Friday January 15, 2010. This will allow for coordination of specific response to the affected areas.
he United States Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) has placed additional Search and Rescue resources on standby for additional support. An eleven (11) member administrative team along with communications equipment has already been deployed.
The Caribbean Development Bank through its Emergency Grant Programme has made available US$200,000 and arrangement for accessing is being initiated by CDEMA.
The Government of Australia has also made an offer of immediate response assistance to Haiti through the CARICOM Secretariat. The scope of this support is being defined.
International Telecommunications Union has offered an emergency communications pack.
PAHO and WHO are also collecting data on the health impact of the earthquake to disseminate to other humanitarian aid providers. In addition, PAHO is deploying a 12-member team of health and logistics experts, including specialists in mass casualty management, coordination of emergency health response and the management of dead bodies.
The United Nations has invoked the International Charter on Space and Major Disasters and it is anticipated that satellite imagery of the affected areas will be available by Friday January 15, 2010. This will allow for coordination of specific response to the affected areas.
The Red Cross has deployed the Pan American Disaster Response Unit (PADRU) to lead the initial response in Haiti.
An International FAC is in Santo Domingo and is expected to arrive in Haiti tomorrow.
Puerto Rico is offering services on emergency vector management and control.

REGIONAL RESPONSE

The Northwestern Donor Group of the CDEMA Regional Response Mechanism convened a meeting at 2.00pm today to discuss the earthquake impact and the response actions for Haiti. The Meeting was held at the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) Headquarters in Jamaica, the CDEMA sub-regional focal point for Haiti.

A high level team from Jamaica is scheduled to be deployed to Haiti on Thursday, January 14, 2009, including the Director General of ODPEM, Ronald Jackson and other government representatives to provide an initial overview of the situation on the ground.

Several governments of the CDEMA Participating States, including Anguilla, Barbados, Belize, Grenada and Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago held meetings today to determine the coordination of national relief efforts to support the regional response. Pledges are being offered from public and private entities, NGOs and the general public.

The Caribbean Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH) has been running models on potential rainfall levels in an attempt to ascertain possible mudslides/landslides over the affected areas.

The Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility is process of disbursing approximately US$3 Million dollars to Haiti.

A Regional 12 man team will be deployed on Friday, January 15 to undertake an assessment and determine the level of the emergency effort, the humanitarian needs, logistics coordination and operational support that is required for Haiti. The team will be comprised of CDEMA, CARICOM Regional Security System (RSS), CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS), University of the West Indies (UWI) and other technical personnel.

Pledges by Participating States:

Pledges of support have been coming from our CDEMA Participating States; Partners and other countries in the Region. So far these include:

US$1 Million dollar donation by The Republic of Guyana.
The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is deploying a team comprising of Disaster Medical and search and rescue personnel.
The Government of Saint Lucia, Belize, Trinidad and Tobago and University of the West Indies Jamaica have all pledged aid in the form of services for the affected state.
The Government of Bermuda has offered a twelve seater aircraft.
Grenada is reaching out to the Grenada Diaspora for donations of water and transportation of such to Haiti.
The Grenada Broadcasting Television has also schedule a telethon for Monday 18th January 2010.
The government of the Virgin Islands is offering to deploy a Search and Rescue team.
The Government of Barbados has established a mechanism for the coordination of national relief efforts and has identified military personnel to support the Community’s response.
A Jamaica Defence Force vessel with technical, medical and military personnel and relief supplies is being deployed to Haiti.

Please click here to view a preliminary list of humanitarian aid responses identified.

CONTACT DETAILS: The CDEMA CU 24-hour contact number is 1(246) 425 0386

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Haiti Earthquake Update #1 - CDEMA commences regional response

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 21:28:00 GMT

MESSAGE: 7.0 HAITI EARTHQUAKE UPDATE #1 (As at 1:00pm, January 13, 2010)

CARICOM’s frontline response has commenced with assistance out of Jamaica, the sub regional focal point.
A Jamaica Defence Force vessel with technical, medical and military personnel and relief supplies is being deployed to Haiti today.
A high level team from Jamaica is scheduled to be deployed to Haiti on Thursday, including the Director General of ODPEM, Ronald Jackson and other government representatives to provide an initial overview of the situation on the ground.
A team comprising representatives of CDEMA, other regional partners, and donors is in preparation for deployment to Haiti by Friday, January 15, 2010 to assess the situation and inform the nature and scope of the region’s assistance.

Regionally, several Participating States have offered support in the form of military assistance, search and rescue teams, medical personnel, artisans and aircrafts. CDEMA is therefore in the process of collating and processing pledged assistance.

The Sub Regional Focal Point for Haiti is Jamaica who is being engaged to coordinate the response efforts on behalf of the affected member of the sub-region.

CONTACT DETAILS: The CDEMA CU 24-hour contact number is 1(246) 425 0386

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