AID EFFORTS CONTINUE IN HAITI, GRENADA

 

NEW YORK, 24 September (OCHA) -- In Haiti, 40 tons of food were distributed yesterday, led by the non-governmental organization CARE with Argentinean troops from United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) providing security at two distribution points.  Despite a tense situation, the distributions were carried out without any major incidents.  However, the security situation remains extremely tense in Gonaives and continues to be a major concern.  MINUSTAH said that a Uruguayan company will be operational in Gonaives within 48 hours to provide extra security.  This could allow the opening of additional distribution points.

The World Food Programme (WFP) has indicated that, in order to better coordinate the delivery and provision of security for relief workers and convoys, CARE has agreed to make its warehouse available to centralize the distribution of humanitarian assistance.  Trucks with foodstuff and water supplies would converge on the warehouse before the actual distribution is undertaken.

The five remaining members of the eight-member United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination Team (UNDAC) arrived yesterday in Port-au-Prince with equipment and generators, and a three member team today has been deployed to Gonaives.  They will first concentrate their activities on Gonaives before expanding to the surrounding areas of Port-de-Paix, Gros Morne, Anse Rouge and Ennery and other areas also affected by the floods.

Meanwhile in Grenada, United Nations humanitarian agencies continue to assist the country in the wake of the devastation wrought by hurricane Ivan earlier this month.

Day-to-day activities are slowly getting back to normal, with an increasing number of banks, public services, shops and a very limited number of restaurants and hotels, resuming their activities.  However, power has not been restored, except in ministries and hospitals.  Water supply continues to be regularized, but still some access problems persist.  There are still great difficulties in distributing food and relief supplies due to the lack of logistical capacity, particularly transport.  Soil erosion is a serious concern, since tree coverage on the island was almost completely wiped out, increasing the risk of landslides as the hurricane season progresses.

In response, the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency (CDERA), the National Emergency Relief Organisation (NERO) and UNDAC are setting up storage facilities at PearlsAirport, located on the north-eastern coast of the island.  This will be used as a distribution point for relief supplies for the northern part of the country.

United Nations agencies are carrying out a range of other humanitarian programmes. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), for example, is continuing its activities in the area of rehabilitation of schools and psychosocial support.  Its action is now concentrated in St George's around its 19 schools in order to create minimal conditions for the school year to start.  An expert from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is conducting an assessment for the short- and medium-term.  The situation is critical in both agriculture and fishing, with many fishermen in need of urgent support.

Later today, the United Nations Resident Coordinator will launch a Flash Appeal in Bridgetown, Barbados.  The Appeal intends to respond to urgent and immediate needs of the population of Grenada for the next six months and to establish the basis for the rehabilitation of social services and economic recovery.

For further information, please call:  Stephanie Bunker, OCHANY, tel.:  917 367 5126, mobile:  917 892 1679; Elizabeth Byrs, OCHA Geneva, tel.:  41 22 917 2653, mobile:  41(0) 79 473 4570.

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