Source: International Federation of Red Cross And Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)
Date: 27 Aug 2008
The International Federation's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) is a source of un-earmarked money created by the Federation in 1985 to ensure that immediate financial support is available for Red Cross and Red Crescent response to emergencies. The DREF is a vital part of the International Federation's disaster response system and increases the ability of national societies to respond to disasters.
CHF 25,000 (USD 23,809 or EUR 15,291) has been allocated from the Federation's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) to support the National Society of Haiti in order to jump start their early relief and assessments activities. Unearmarked funds to repay DREF are encouraged.
Summary: The National Societies of Haiti, Jamaica, Cuba and Dominican Republic, as well as the overseas branch of the British Red Cross in the Cayman Islands have been in close contact with the International Federation as Hurricane Gustav is affecting the region. Haiti and the Dominican Republic are experiencing heavy rains. This DREF Bulletin is focused on providing initial support to the Haitian National Red Cross Society (HNRCS). More detailed information will be available once damage and need assessments are completed.
The situation
On 25 August 2008, a tropical depression in the Caribbean strengthened into Tropical Storm Gustav; on 26 August it rapidly became a category one hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale, causing heavy rain in the south-eastern part of Haiti. The eye of hurricane Gustav made landfall on the south west peninsula of Haiti, approximately 10 miles west of Jacmel, on 26 August shortly after 13:00. Airports, sea ports and public offices have been closed and evacuation activities have begun. The government has opened some 76 emergency shelters in the southern part of the country and has maintained a red alert in the central and southern departments (South East, South, Nippes, West, Grand-Anse, Artibonite and Centre Orange). Local authorities (local civil defence) and local Red Cross branches have been actively coordinating the information and relief activities. Regular information bulletins were provided by the government officials.
Gustav is moving northwest at approximately 5 mph with a west-northwestward motion. If the hurricane follows this track, it should pass between Jamaica and the south eastern coast of Cuba on 28 August. Gustav's maximum sustained winds are near 60 mph with higher gusts and will likely weaken as it moves over Haiti; however, it will re-strengthen as it moves away from Haiti. Gustav is expected to produce total rain accumulations of six to twelve inches of rain over Hispaniola, eastern Cuba, Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. These rains will likely produce life threatening flash floods and mud slides.
The civil defense in Cuba ordered a preventive evacuation of some 13,000 people and livestock that are at most risk, especially in the eastern provinces of Santiago de Cuba, Granma, Holguin and Las Tunas. The government has opened 184 emergency shelters. There is a hurricane warning in effect for the provinces of Guantanamo, Santiago de Cuba and Granma, while a hurricane watch is in effect for the provinces of Las Tunas and Holguin.
On 26 August, the government of the Dominican Republic issued a
red alert for the provinces of Barahona, Pedernales, Independecia,
Elias Pina, Santo Domingo, among others. According to data provided by
the Emergency Operations Center (Centro de Operaciones de Emergencia –
COE), 871 houses were damaged and one house was destroyed in the south
east region of the country forcing approximately 4,360 people to
evacuate as a preventive measure. Approximately 15 emergency shelters
have been activated in the southern region of country, housing 1,888
people. A red alert is in effect for the provinces of Barahona,
Pedernales and Independencia.
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