ACT Alert - Update

Caribbean - 2/2004

Hurricane Ivan

Geneva, 15 September, 2004

Hurricane Ivan continues its trail of devastation across the Caribbean. According to the latest report from the Miami-based US National Hurricane Center, Ivan is moving into the Gulf of Mexico and a hurricane watch has been issued for the Northern Gulf coast of the United States. So far, Ivan has hit 11 countries: Barbados, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Cayman Islands, Haiti, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela, Sta Lucia, St Vicent and the Grenadines, and Cuba.

However, the countries most affected by Hurricane Ivan are Grenada, Jamaica and Cuba. In Grenada the death toll has risen to 39 and the destruction is appalling. 90% of the houses have been damaged or destroyed, with many having their roofs ripped off. Electricity and telephone services are cut and shortages of food and drinking water are reported.

In Jamaica the death toll has reached 19 people and there is large-scale damage to housing and infrastructure with many buildings having their roofs ripped off and suffering flood damage. Large areas have been cut off by severe flooding and debris. Much of the country is without electricity. The most affected areas are the rural areas in the western part of the island.

In Cuba no casualties are reported due to the evacuation plan set up by the government. Cuba has been pointed out as a model in hurricane risk management in developing countries by the United Nations. The worst affected areas in Cuba were Pinar del Rio and Isla de la Juventud in the eastern part of the island. They are the same areas that were also heavily affected by Hurricane Michelle in 2001 and Isidore and Lily in 2002. Last month Cuba suffered an estimated one billion dollars in damages from Hurricane Charley that hit the Havana province.

ACT member, Christian Aid (CAID) reports that their partners in Jamaica -Jamaica AIDS Support, Women’s Resource Outreach Centre, S-Corner Clinic and Community Centre, St Patricks Foundation, the Association of Development Agencies, Women’s Construction Collective and 3Cs – Children and Community for Change- are assessing the situation and possible response. CAID is also in contact with the Caribbean Policy Development Center (CPDC), which is based in Barbados, and has 9 members in Grenada. CAID will deploy an emergency officer this week to support partners in Jamaica and Grenada. The CAID emergency officer will also contact with ACT members in the region -the Jamaican Council of Churches and the Caribbean Council of Churches (CCC) - to support them if needed.

ACT member in Cuba, the Cuban Council of Churches (CIC), who worked in 2001 and 2002 responding to Hurricane Michelle, Isidore and Lily, will send a mission assessment to the region to assess the damages and their possible response. The ACT CO is already processing an appeal from CIC to respond to the damages caused by Hurricane Charley last month.

ACT member in Haiti, The Lutheran World Federation (LWF), reports that although Haiti was affected in the coastline, the Haiti ACT Forum has decided not to apply for external support.

An appeal might be forthcoming for Grenada, Jamaica and Cuba. The ACT CO would appreciate any indications of possible support from funding members.