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Caribbean Red Cross Societies
are still supporting thousands of people affected by Hurricane
Dean, distributing vital relief items, and helping communities
take the first slow steps towards recovery.
Dean which began as a category two hurricane around August
16, tore through Dominica, Martinique, St Lucia and Jamaica,
before developing into a category five as it reached Mexico’s
Yucatan peninsula, just above the border with Belize. Nineteen
people were killed by the storm and severe damage has been
recorded right across the region
In Dominica, Dean destroyed 99 per cent of the country’s
banana industry. In St Lucia, communities in the north of
the island were left without any water and electricity for
days.
In Jamaica, the government declared
an island-wide, month-long state of emergency. In Belize
at least 2,500 families were affected.
The Dominica Red Cross worked with their local authorities
to carry out damage assessments in the most affected areas
south of the capital of Roseau. Reports suggested that
approximately 500 poorly constructed, low income houses
lost all or part of their roofs.
Kathleen Pinard-Byrne, director general, Dominica Red Cross,
said after the hurricane, Red Cross volunteers distributed
tarpaulins and other relief items to those affected.
“At least 50 per cent of houses that were affected have replaced their
old galvanized sheets, but these will need to be replaced as they continue
to leak,” she said.
With this in mind, the Dominica Red Cross appealed for
building materials such as zinc sheeting, capping and nails
for 500 homes as well as household items for 200 families.
The Red Cross has also issued a manual on safe construction
techniques titled ‘Make the Right Connection’.
Since the hurricane passed through Jamaica, Red Cross volunteers
have been out in the field conducting damage assessments and
needs analyses.
“Areas in Portland Cottage and Rocky Point were devastated and will require
a sustained and dedicated effort” said Dr Jaslin
Salmon, president of Jamaica Red Cross.
“There was much damage to roofs and agriculture. We are trying to provide
people with seeds and other items so that they can begin the recovery process,” added
Yvonne Clarke, director general of Jamaica Red Cross.
Jamaica Red Cross is working closely with the Office of Disaster Preparedness
and Emergency Management (ODPEM) and other members of the national Disaster Committee
to address the needs identified.
In Belize, approximately 2,500 families were affected. According to Karen Diaz,
president of the Belize Red Cross Society, the districts of Corozal and Orange
Walk, plus the islands of Ambergris Caye and Caye Calker experienced some damage.
The Corozal district experienced the most damage and 1,800 families were affected.
Four hundred homes were destroyed and a further 1,500 were damaged. As ever,
the worst affected people in Belize are those who were already economically marginalized
before the storm hit.
The International Federation’s Pan American Disaster
Response Unit (PADRU) sent relief items with the assistance
of the European Commission Humanitarian Aid Department
(ECHO) to St Lucia, Dominica, Jamaica and Haiti and has
several disaster management delegates in the field to support
the emergency operations.
The International Federation has launched a revised emergency appeal for CHF
2,399,670 (US $1.9 million) to assist 21,710 families affected by Hurricane Dean
for six months.
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