Contact:
Nancy Rousseau
Office of Representative Marie St. Fleur
617-722-2380
Nancy.rousseau@
Massachusetts Campaign Launched to Create a New Paradigm for Haiti—
In Response to Devastation in the Wake of Major Storms
BOSTON – October 12, 2008 — Representative Marie St. Fleur (D-Dorchester)
In a country already overwhelmed by poverty, four major storms—Hurricane Gustav, Tropical Storms Fay and Hanna, and Hurricane Ike—have inflicted devastating damage on Haiti since August, claiming more than 800 lives, injuring over 500, and affecting close to a million people. “Our responsibility to be conscientious world citizens requires we explore ways to help Haiti,” said Representative St. Fleur. “This effort, beginning with our discussion tomorrow evening, will focus on the impact these storms have had on Haiti’s infrastructure. These storms damaged and inundated roads and bridges and crippled the country’s ability to respond to this escalating crisis.” Officials have also expressed concern with the destruction of the country’s system of agriculture, and have called for immediate assistance to avert mass hunger.
The Haitian government is reporting that 45,900 homes were destroyed and 151,000 people are currently living in shelters. Fuel is scarce and there is limited availability of helicopters, impacting access to the affecting areas. As the country continues its search and recovery efforts and seeks further international assistance, there is significant fear that another storm might have an even greater impact on the country. In response to the crisis, there is a continuing focus on water and sanitation, health services and shelter, especially in the three most affected departments of Artibonite Grand’Anse and Sudest.
“We are committed to assisting Representative St. Fleur in her efforts to find a new approach to humanitarian aid to Haiti,” said Karen Payne, President of the Boston Branch, NAACP. “We have a significant Haitian population in Massachusetts, and many of their families need our help. In these difficult economic times for most Americans, there is a need to remember how fortunate we are and offer our assistance to the people of Haiti.”
Last month, the United Nations launched a flash appeal, seeking over $107 million to assist up to 800,000 people for a period of six months. Due to the global economic crisis, there is a concern that Haiti will not receive the necessary assistance and further lives will be lost.
For more information contact Nancy Rousseau, Chief of Staff, Office of Representative Marie St. Fleur, #617-722-2380 or nancy.rousseau@
http://www.reliefweb.int/
KEY DEVELOPMENTS
As of October 6, the Government of Haiti (GOH) Office of Civil Protection reported that the four tropical storms and hurricanes resulted in nearly 800 deaths and injured an estimated 548 people. As of October 8, the tropical storms and hurricanes had affected more than 800,000 people, according to the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
In response to a GOH request for international assistance to reconstruct and rehabilitate six bridges damaged by the storms and hurricanes, U.S. military engineers completed assessments of each of the six bridges. Rehabilitation and reconstruction plans remain ongoing.
Based on recommendations made by U.S. military engineers, in consultation with Haitian authorities and donors, a temporary bridge will be installed at the location of the Ennery Bridge, one of the bridges damaged by the storms. The U.N. Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) plans to provide approximately 60 percent of the span; working with USAID/Haiti, USAID/OFDA plans to provide funds for the purchase the remainder. The GOH Ministry of Public Works, Transportation, and Communications will submit the proposal and cost estimates to military engineers by October 17. Upon approval, USAID/OFDA will begin the process to purchase needed construction materials. The World Bank has committed to provide funds for the reconstruction of Chalon, Latheme, and Duvivier bridges.
On October 7, the USAID Disaster Assistance Response Team (USAID/DART)
NUMBERSAT A GLANCE
Total Affected Population
Dead 793
Missing
IDPs(1)
IDPs in Shelters
Other Damage
84,625 houses damaged
FY 2008 AND FY 2009 HUMANITARIAN FUNDING TO DATE FOR HAITI HURRICANES IN 2008
USAID/OFDA Assistance(2):
USAID/FFP(3)
USAID/Haiti Assistance: $5,000,000
DOD(5) Assistance: $2,631,877
DHS(6) Assistance: Amount Forthcoming Total
USG Humanitarian Assistance to Haiti for Hurricanes in 2008: $31,642,545
CURRENT SITUATION
On October 9, OCHA reported that the re-establishment of the road access at Montrouis, on the border of West and Artibonite departments, and Miragoane in Nippes Department has allowed the routine provision of fuel and medical supplies to all of the country's hospitals and the majority of pharmacies.
According to OCHA, road transport remains an issue, particularly in southern Haiti, where priority is given for cargo. In addition, the road from Port au Prince to Jimani in Dominican Republic remains heavily flooded. The roads to Miragoane and Anse a Veau districts in Nippes Department continue to be blocked and access to Les Cayes and Jeremie is limited.
