Haiti |
Disaster Assistance at a Glance
Recent Disaster Declarations:
Hurricane, Food Crisis, Tropical Storms and Floods
OFDA Response:
Emergency relief supplies, Debris removal, Seed purchase and distribution
OFDA Preparedness:
Disaster preparedness, capacity building
Latest OFDA Report:
Haiti Storms Fact Sheet #8 (82kb
PDF)
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Most Recent Disaster Declaration:
Haiti Hurricane, 09-02-2008
On August 26, Hurricane Gustav passed over Haiti, producing heavy rains and winds, particularly affecting Gonaïves Department as well as Cotes de Fer, Bainet, Jacmel (Marigot), Aquin, and Petit Riviere de Nippes in Southeast Department. Beginning on September 1, the approach of Tropical Storm Hanna led to additional rainfall throughout Haiti. Heavy rains produced floodwaters up to three meters deep in Gonaïves, according to the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince. On August 30, the Government of Haiti (GOH) Civil Protection Directorate announced that flooding had led to 76 deaths, left 9 people missing, injured 35 people, forced 8,789 people to evacuate to shelters, destroyed 2,121 houses, and damaged an additional 8,155 houses. Flooding and landslides cut off land routes and hampered humanitarian access.
On August 28, the first member of a three-person USAID/OFDA team arrived in Haiti. The team worked closely with USAID/Haiti to coordinate the U.S. Government’s humanitarian response with the GOH, U.N. agencies, and other humanitarian organizations. Overflights, assessments, and relief agency meetings also began on August 28.
On September 2, U.S. Ambassador Janet A. Sanderson issued a disaster declaration in response to Hurricane Gustav and resulting flooding throughout Haiti. In response, USAID/OFDA provided $100,000 through USAID/Haiti for the purchase and distribution of emergency relief supplies for displaced populations and for the support of early recovery activities.
Additional Requests for Emergency Assistance:
Haiti Food Crisis , 04-28-08
Between August 2007 and March 2008, the price of basic food commodities increased by up to 65 percent. In November 2007, heavy rains and floods damaged infrastructure and crops in critical production areas, making the recovery of high-cost products difficult. The food price increase led to widespread civil unrest throughout the capital city of Port-Au-Prince and the provinces of Gonaives, Jacmel, Les Cayes, Petit Goave, and St. Marc from April 7 to April 11. On April 12, the Haitian Parliament approved a vote of no confidence, calling for the formation of a new government.
On April 28, U.S. Ambassador Janet A. Sanderson determined that the current food crisis warranted U.S. Government emergency assistance and requested USAID/OFDA disaster support. In response, USAID/OFDA provided $150,000 in consultation with USAID/Haiti through non-governmental organizations for relief activities, including the purchase and distribution of seeds to farmers in urban and peri-urban production areas for the coming growing season.
Floods and Tropical Storm, 11-07-2007
Continuous rains over the past six weeks, exacerbated by the passage of Tropical Storm Noel, resulted in severe flooding in southern, southwestern, and western departments of Haiti, as well as in Artibonite Department. The rains and associated flooding killed 103 people, with 20 others reported missing, and affected more than 25,000 families, according to initial assessments by the Government of Haiti (GOH). In addition, the rains and flooding destroyed nearly 3,200 houses and damaged more than 14,000 others. The GOH’s Directorate of Civil Protection and humanitarian organizations had been managing the response with previously stockpiled relief supplies, which became significantly depleted.
On November 7, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Thomas C. Tighe declared a disaster due to the effects of the floods and tropical storm. In response, USAID/OFDA provided $100,000 through USAID/Haiti for emergency relief activities. A four-person USAID/OFDA assessment team coordinated with the U.S. Embassy in Port-Au-Prince, USAID/Haiti and GOH officials to survey flooding impacts and determine whether additional assistance is needed.
For information on additional USAID disaster responses in Haiti, please see OFDA Annual Reports.
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