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USAID Providing Hurricane Relief to the Caribbean
WASHINGTON, DC 20523
PRESS OFFICE
http://www.usaid.gov/
Press: (202) 712-4320
Public Information: (202) 712-4810
2004-031
October, 5 2004
Contact: USAID Press Office
Washington, DC -- Throughout this time of increased hurricane activity, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) stands firm by its Caribbean neighbors to alleviate the human suffering caused by Tropical Storm Jeanne, and Hurricanes Ivan and Frances. To date, USAID has provided more than $13 million in humanitarian aid to Grenada, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas for vital humanitarian relief and emergency resources, such as water, food and shelter. President George W. Bush has also submitted a request to Congress for $50 million in supplemental funding for reconstruction efforts in the Caribbean. This brings the total assistance to the Caribbean, by the United States, to more than $60 million. To date, a total of 11 airlifts have been conducted to affected areas of the Caribbean carrying emergency relief supplies.
USAID has provided more than $4 million for the humanitarian response to Haiti.
- On September 29th, USAID announced an additional $2.1 million in emergency reconstruction assistance to Gonaïves.
- USAID Food For Peace has provided 215 metric tons of food commodities, valued at $122,000 to assist flood victims in Haiti.
- On September 28th, three USAID Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) members were sent to Gonaïves to conduct assessments. The DART Team continues to have a presence in Port-Au-Prince to continue coordination with the response community for planning and future initiatives. The DART Team will conduct assessments, coordinate with international organizations, NGO's and the Interim Government of Haiti.
- On September 23, U.S. Ambassador James Foley announced approximately $2 million in disaster relief assistance to Haiti, provided through USAID. The announcement comes just two days after the Ambassador's disaster declaration due to the damage caused by Tropical Storm Jeanne. This disaster declaration allowed an automatic release of $50,000 to begin the immediate funding and distribution of hygiene kits, cooking sets, blankets, water containers and other relief supplies to those most affected by the floods.
- On September 23, USAID airlifted 300 rolls of plastic sheeting for shelter; more than 5,000 ten-liter water jugs; and 3,660 hygiene kits to Port au Prince.
- USAID has secured an aircraft through Air Serv International to provide aerial assessments and transport of personnel and relief supplies.
USAID has provided more than $900,000 for the humanitarian response to Grenada.
- USAID DART has conducted a full assessment on the island and noted that the northern part of Grenada sustained light to moderate damage as compared to the southern part of the island.
- USAID DART also conducted assessments in 20 communities and reported that Hurricane Ivan destroyed 1,440 houses and 1,398 homes sustained moderate damage in the St. George's South area of Grenada. The damage was primarily to inappropriate roofing material, poor roof construction, lack of reinforcement in the walls, poor foundation, and thin exterior walls.
- As of September 24, USAID has funded four flights of emergency relief supplies to Grenada, carrying plastic sheeting for shelter, hygiene kits and emergency water supplies.
- USAID has provided $100,000 to the U.S. Embassy in Bridgetown to support the local purchase and distribution of emergency relief supplies, in-country air transport and aerial assessments of affected areas.
- USAID has provided $50,000 to fund assessments of the island's electrical system.
- USAID has secured an aircraft through Air Serv International to assist in the humanitarian response.
USAID has provided more than $694,000 for the humanitarian response to Jamaica.
- On September 12, U.S. Ambassador Sue M. Cobb issued a disaster declaration allowing for the automatic release of $50,000 used for the immediate funding of shelter operation costs and initial relief activities.
- USAID has funded two flights of emergency relief supplies, including special boats for search and rescue efforts, life vests, hygiene kits, jerry cans and plastic sheeting for shelter.
- Through partners, USAID has provided nearly $400,000 for the purchase and transportation of medical supplies, hygiene kits and plastic sheeting for shelter.
- The USAID Mission in Jamaica has purchased $25,000 in water tanks.
USAID has provided more than $400,000 for the humanitarian response in the Bahamas.
- Hurricane Jeanne damaged approximately 800 houses and affected a total of 5,000 families on Abaco and Grand Bahama Island.
- On September 28th USAID flight arrived with 2,160 hygiene kits valued at $12,960. The kits will be distributed through the National Emergency management Agency to vulnerable families in Abaco and Grand Bahama Island.
- USAID DART Team traveled to Grand Bahama to conduct a rapid damage assessment to the towns of West End, Pinder's Point and Eight Mile Rock and found the area to have been severely affected by Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne.
- USAID DART reports that approximately 90% of the homes in the Haitian and Bahamian/Haitian settlements of The Mudd and Pigeon Pea near Marsh Harbour and the Haitian community near Treasure Cay have suffered significant water and roof damage. Water levels have yet to recede.
- On September 5, U.S. Ambassador John D. Rood issued a disaster declaration due to the effects of Hurricane Frances.
- USAID has provided $100,000 to support the local purchase and distribution of emergency relief supplies, in-country air transport and aerial assessments of affected areas.
- USAID has funded three airlifts of emergency relief supplies from Miami to the Bahamas, carrying blankets, hygiene kits, jerry cans, plastic sheeting for shelter and a water purification unit.
- USAID has secured an aircraft through Air Serv International to assist in the humanitarian response.
USAID has provided $50,000 for the humanitarian assistance in the Dominican Republic.
- USAID has provided $50,000 for the purchase and distribution of emergency relief supplies, including hygiene kits, mosquito nets, kitchen sets, blankets, bedding, water containers and plastic sheeting for shelter.
THE USAID OFFICE OF U.S. FOREIGN DISASTER ASSISTANCE
Now celebrating its 40th year, the U.S. Agency for International Development Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) is responsible for providing humanitarian assistance in response to international crises and disaster. USAID Administrator Andrew S. Natsios serves as the President's Special Coordinator for International Disaster Assistance. In 2004, with a budget of more than $300 million, OFDA Disaster Assistance Response Teams (DART) have responded to 69 disaster declarations in 58 countries.
USAID OFDA provides humanitarian assistance in response to a declaration of a foreign disaster made by the U.S. Ambassador or the U.S. Department of State. Once a declaration is made, USAID can immediately provide up to $50,000 to the U.S. Embassy or USAID Mission to purchase relief supplies locally, or give a contribution to a relief organization in the affected country. USAID also deploys experts to the field, and in some cases, dispatches a DART.
The Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance is housed in USAID's Bureau for Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance.
The most effective way to help is to make cash contributions to humanitarian organizations that are conducting relief operations. A list of such organizations can be found at http://hurricane.info.usaid.gov. For more information on our ongoing efforts in the Caribbean, please visit our website at www.usaid.gov.
The U.S. Agency for International Development has provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for more than 40 years.
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