HONDURAS SitRep No 10– Emergencies October 2008 UN Disaster Management Team (UNDMT)/UN Emergency Technical Team (UNETT) 14-11-2008 19:00 1. Situation
1. Nature of the Disaster Since October 13th, heavy rainfalls affected the Honduran territory due to the interaction of Tropical Depression 16th with a low depression current accompanied by a swell in the pacific coast. This brought as a consequence intensive rains all over the country, especially in the central and western area causing severe floods and landslides.
On October 19th the President of the Republic of Honduras declared a State of Emergency (Executive Decree No. 0292008). The decree ordered Ministries and specialized institutions under the coordination of the Permanent Commission for Contingencies (COPECO) to take immediate necessary actions utilizing funds from the national budget and the international community. Thus ensuring the relief activities such as rescue and aid support to continue.
2. The most vulnerable communities have lost their livelihoods and income and their survival conditions will remain precarious for several months.
Flooding and landslides have caused loss of lives, injured people and displaced persons as well as damages in houses (many destroyed) and public infrastructure. 17 out of 18 departments are affected. Agricultural land and crops ready to be harvest were lost, potable drinking water systems were either contaminated or destroyed.
In the South part of the country, 1,100 houses were flooded due to a combination of heavy rains, high tides and strong waves. Those families affected did not want to leave their homes because they were under the impression that the water levels will drop rapidly. This situation provoked an environmental sanitary risk because of the flooded and contaminated water wells with waste waters.
It rained enough that it is estimated that just the capital city, Tegucigalpa, received during the month of October twice as much of rain of the annual average.
3. To make the situation worse, the country suffered a Cold Front. This event brought more rain. Thus, leaving more flooding, landslides, more damage and most important, more affected people.
4. To address the emergency situation an Inter‐agency Emergency Response Plan is being implemented and cluster groups were activated for Water and Sanitation, Shelter, Health, Food Security and Nutrition, Early Recovery and Telecommunication and Logistics. To support these actions an UNDAC mission was requested and arrived on October 22nd.
A team of two geologists has arrived to the country as a result of a request of the government of Honduras and through coordination between the United Nations and the Swedish Rescue Services Agency. After a meeting with the National Commission for Contingency, COPECO, a visit was made to one of the highest risk places in the Southern part of the Country.
2. Impact
Table 1: Affected population People living in Provinces Affected Evacuated Injuries Death Missing shelters
Honduras 313,350 50,606 7 49 18 43,349 Atlántida 11,205 3,400 - - 2 523 Colón 22,977 6,587 2 5 2 5,796 Comayagua 11,591 1,613 - 3 4 434 Copan 38,659 1,621 - - - 479 Cortés 14,898 12,397 - 2 - 29,053 Choluteca 52,275 723 1 3 1 1,204 Paraiso 5,183 1,021 2 3 - 815 Fco. Morazan 27,708 1,059 - 11 8 991 Gracias a Dios 1,450 2,518 2 - 1 2,843 Intibuca 2,900 210 - 1 - 140 Islas de la Bahía - - - 1 - - La Paz 1,452 1,160 - 1 - - Lempira 1,541 375 - - - 131 Ocotepeque 265 140 - - - 83 Olancho 69,093 1,547 - 12 - 663 Sta. Barbara 9,478 - - 2 - - Valle 9,183 3,445 - 1 - 194 Yoro 33,492 12,790 - 4 - Sources: COPECO and WFP Food Aid Monitors SITREP
Shelters:
Sheltered people are slowly coming back to their homes due to two reasons. First, out of the fear of losing their goods for theft and second, the houses that initially were flooded are starting to dry off.
Education:
The School Year has finished. Most of the schools that were used as shelters will need to be refurnished and repaired, after hosting large numbers of people. The educational materials, furniture, libraries, sanitation facilities, cooking pots for school feeding are completely deteriorated. Lack of recreational materials and spaces, do not allow children an early psychological recovery and return to joy and normal life.
UNICEF is providing cleaning equipment and material to the families that where sheltered in school buildings so they can leave such premises cleaned.
On the basis of the figures mentioned above, an estimated number of 110,000 children are emotionally affected. Lacking school and psychological attention reduces the chances of improving their living conditions. Far from that, their families have lost their crops and livelihoods, remaining in extreme poverty and without means to support and send the kids to school.
Water and sanitation:
The heavy rains have seriously damaged the water supply and sanitation systems in the most affected areas, including the Valley of Sula in the Departments of Cortés and Yoro, and the Departments of Atlántida and Colón, which were severely affected by the floods. 324 water supply systems are reported damaged in the rural zones of the municipalities of El Progreso, Yoro, Yorito, Santa Rita, El Negrito, Morazán and Victoria (Department of Yoro), San Manuel, Omoa, Villanueva, Potrerillos, La Lima, Pimienta and Puerto Cortés (Department of Cortés) and Tela (Department of Atlántida), leaving approximately 50,000 people among them 25,000 children with no access to safe water. The Association of Municipalities of Honduras report damages in water systems in 49 municipalities.
The sanitation facilities in the flooded areas, mainly latrines, have collapsed and contaminated the wells, exposing communities to the outbreaks of epidemics (cholera, malaria and dengue which are endemic to the area) as well as childhood diseases and infections.
The Western side of the country including the departments of Santa Barbara and Copán and the Department of Olancho in the Eastern part of the Department were severely affected by landslides, which damaged the water sources and pipes in the mountains. This situation left rural communities without access to safe drinking water. The technicians of the National Aqueducts and Sewers Services (SANAA), the municipalities and NGOs are still working on the assessments of the damages.
Nearly 42,000 people, among them approximately 21,000 children, had to leave their homes to be located in shelters, including schools and community centres, which lack adequate sanitation facilities and access to safe drinking water. The municipalities have faced this situation by distributing drinking water through water tank trucks. However their financial resources are diminishing.
Agriculture
Over US $ 741,133 lost potato and vegetable producers in the Department of Intibucá.
3. ‐ National Response
Organization:
On October 19th the Government assigned ministries of its Cabinet in response to the emergency, one for each department.
Expert personnel from the Permanent Commission for Contingencies, COPECO, coordinated with the ministries to attend the affected areas in each department.
COPECO coordinates operations through its seven regional offices.
The municipalities coordinated with COPECO the rescue, evacuation operations and humanitarian aid distribution through CODEM, Municipal Emergency Committees.
COPECO has also coordinated with NGO´s the distribution of humanitarian relief.
Operations
The Permanent Commission for Contingencies, COPECO, has distributed among 37 counties (municipalities) US $ 92,377 to be used to the procurement of humanitarian assistance, such as fuel and rehabilitation and reconstruction work. Moreover the Government through the National Bank Banadesa set apart US $ 1,588,142 to be used for the relocation of the agricultural debt. The National Congress approved the following:
• US $ 6,881,948 as a technological bonus.
• US $ 42,350,450 for rehabilitation and reconstruction of the main roads.
• US $ 3,705,664 for rehabilitation of houses and housing projects additional to the Alba Funds.
As of today COPECO reports the distribution of humanitarian aid through their regional and departmental offices, municipalities, the government, NGO, and other humanitarian actors working in the affected areas.
Table 2: Relief aid distributed
Items Quantity Mattresses 4" 1,743 Mattresses 2" 100 Hygiene Kit 2,608 Kitchen Kit 1,739 Food aid rations 6,001 Blanket 3,163 Flash Lights 15 Used camp beds 45 Sheets 2,666 tents for shelters 39 Pumps to purify water 150 Water, large bottles 5 gallons 304 eggs 8,580 Plastic recipients 1 Water, 0.5 99 Zinc roof‐tops 10" size 28 50 Latrine s 10
Total distribution 27,313
The Municipality of the Capital City, Tegucigalpa, has provided a cash bonus of US $ 79 to families living in shelters so they will use it to relocate and rent a house in safe place.(the number of months to rent was not mentioned)
Early Recovery
The president of the republic of Honduras has designated the Minister of the Presidency to elaborate a National Plan for rehabilitation and early recovery. To achieve this, the government will relocate the Strategy for Poverty Reduction funds. The first draft of this plan is still expected.
4.‐International Response
Coordination:
• UNDAC mission has returned.
• The Flash appeal was officially launched by the Honduras Government and the UN System, requesting to the international community over USD17 millions to support the relief and recovery process in the most affected areas. The Flash Appeal has also been launched in New York, USA.
• The Central Emergency Relief Fund, CERF, has approved USD 1.5 million for relief activities.
Health
• PAHO has been developing the necessary bids to procure medicine and the necessary non food items for the Health Ministry. Those non food items include: 1. 10 Lepton Dipstick Kits fast test of IgM(leptospirosis) each kit has 25 tests( with a total of 250 tests) 2. 40 bottle of Calcium Hypochlorite 65 %, 100 pounds each bottle. 3. 100 kits Clorox matching. 4. 100 reactive packages DPD to measure free chloride. • PAHO has deployed from its Regional Office two SUMA experts. They are providing support to COPECO and the CCHI in San Pedro Sula and Choluteca. • White Helmets from Argentina have deployed dos SUMA specialists. They are providing support to COPECO in Atlántida and will be moving in la Ceiba and Tela.
Food Security
• WFP food aid monitors in coordination with National and local authorities and NGOs are carrying out damages assessment to prepare the rehabilitation plan and providing humanitarian assistance to the most affected population.
• More than 562 MT of food have been distributed during the emergency, benefiting near 34,000 families (169,295 people) in 65 counties.
• 60 MT were delivered to Gracias a Dios to assist the four most affected municipalities and affected population.
Table 3: Number of Beneficiaries and food delivered
Department and Number of beneficiaries Modality (free Number of Delivered Municipality distribution, FFW, days food community kitchen)
Families Persons (MT) Central Region 2909 14545 Free distribution 9 74.80 Suothern Region 2,282 11410 Free distribution 10 63.90 Nothern Region 28273 141365 Free distribution 5 412.53 Western Region 395 1975 Free distribution 11 11.76 Total 33,859 169,295 6 562.98
Sources: WFP Food Aid Monitors SITREP
• More than 5,000 people are isolated in the provinces of Colon. In Gracias a Dios the isolation and competition for transporting commercial goods and food market weakening is increasing food insecurity in the area. One of the vessels transporting commercial goods (not WFP goods) caught fire during the week.
• So far, 18 airlifts have been already carried out in coordination with COPECO and the Honduran Air Force. However, about 15 MT of food need to be delivered (some 25 airlifts) in order to assist 20 isolated communities in the Colon province.
• Food requirements figures are increasing due to high vulnerability and to a low mechanism to cope with the situation. The situation will get worse in the mid term because of the damage occurred to the agricultural sector and to the population wellbeing in general.
• Some provinces are still under high risk (Colon, Cortes and Gracias a Dios) and some others, such as the southern region, need to initiate their family assets rehabilitation throughout the PRRO recovery component.
• WFP urgently needs at least 2,000 MT of food through the regional PRRO 10444.0, in order to start recovery activities. Those requirements had been included in the Flash Appeal documents.
Shelters
• IOM has been able to coordinate activities with CHF, CARE and GOAL. They have identified areas to cover and target population to assist according to affected areas and location of the NGO. Right now IOM has funds for USD 670,000. These funds will be used through agreements of contribution of the NGO´s. At this point IOM is in the process of employing two field monitors to give a follow up to the activities executed by the NGO´s.
Early Recovery
• UNDP has mobilized a BCPR mission to support the Government in methodological aspects to be able to present project proposals related to the development of mitigation, reconstruction and risk reduction activities. This mission will also provide assessment in the institutionalization of the rehabilitation and response planning. One of the main difficulties relies in the evaluation of the causes and the environmental impact of the rainfall. • WFP in coordination with partners (ASONOG, CRS, World Vision and others) is starting the rehabilitation and reconstruction process through the modality of food for work and the provision of non food items. • As a response to the Health Ministry´s request, UNFPA is utilizing out of the Regular and Emergency Funds a total of US $ 110,000 to assist 10 Departments in the areas of Reproductive Health, including birth attention, postnatal care, family planning and VHI prevention through the procurement of: 1) medicine and equipment for basic medical attention, 2) temporary health personnel and 3) logistics support. UNFPA, due to Technical Cooperation’s Secretary´s (SETCO) request, is also programming the humanitarian assistance to some indigenous (Lencas) communities affected by the natural phenomenon.
• WHO continues giving health assistance and is monitoring the sanitary health in the affected zones. There are not reports for outbreaks or medicine shortage. WHO has supported the Health Ministry through paying partial costs for personnel transportation that participated in the immediate relief activities.
Moreover, WHO is negotiating with UNDP the procurement of medicine and equipment to be used for water disinfection and cleaning of water well. Negotiations are undergoing with potential donors to get funds to be used in the vigilance of health. This request is included in the Flash Appeal.
WHO concludes that local authorities have the health situation under control.
• UNICEF continues with the assessment of damages and next week there will be a cluster meeting to come to agreements about the data base gathered and checked the funds available. Through the Water and Sanitation Cluster UNICEF has developed a work plan to restore the provision of safe water in the affected areas.
Out the Regular Programs UNICEF has reoriented US $ 66,000 to the procurement of 1,000 hygienic kits and 400 mattresses. Out the Emergency Funds (EPF, NY) US $ 150,000 to assist the immediate needs of the following sectors: 1. Water and Sanitation: US $ 60,000 2. Health: 50,000 3. Education: 20,000 4. Participation and Social Mobilization: 20,000
Other assistances to assist Water and Sanitation: 1. Out of the Central Emergency Fund, CERF, UNICEF will use US $ 140,190 to assist the immediate needs. 2. Through Canadian Funds as part of the Flash Appeal US $ 210,000. (It´s in process). 3. Sweden Funds as part of the Flash Appeal US $ 630,000. (It´s in process).
International Action by Churches Together, ACT. Coordination Office has approved US $ 60,000 out of its Rapid Response Funds to support the relief aid in Honduras. The proposed assistance is as follows: 1. to provide 1,944 families with food items: each family will receive a food ration consisting of 4 pounds of fat, 5 pounds of sugar, 5 pounds of flour, 10 pounds of beans, 4 pounds of pasta, 4 can of tomato pasta, 4 cans of sardines, 1 pound of salt, 6 pounds of rice. 2. to provide 1,944 families with cleaning kit, consisting of 3 packs of soap, 1 package of detergents and 1 bottle of chlorine. The kits are to cover the needs of 5 persons during 30 days.
The implementation of this assistance will be carried out jointly by the ACT members, under the coordination and responsibility of Christian Aid as the coordinating member of the ACT forum.
Mercy Corps is helping restart agricultural production in flood‐soaked Honduras by distributing corn and bean seeds to 1,300 farmers enough to plant 2,300 acres worth of food crops lost due to torrential rains. The emergency response has included distribution of basic food supplies, critical medicines and health kits, blankets for children and adults, soap and shelter canvases to more than 3,000 families who've lost their homes, crops and livestock.
Mercy Corps has hired additional staff and is distributing seven tractor‐trailer loads of fertilizers to hard‐ hit areas. There is still a small window of opportunity for replanting. Families who do so will harvest a food crop in February and March, while other farm families may not have any food until next September.
PAG and Mercy Corps are also beginning to work to repair more than 70 community water systems that were severely damaged by flooding and landslides. They are helping deliver clean water to more than 50,000 people through a partnership with ITT Watermark. Two village‐scale water‐purification systems on loan from ITT are delivering up to 6,800 liters of potable water an hour each until municipal water is restored. Mercy Corps is an ITT Watermark emergency response partner, which includes a three‐year, $1 million commitment from ITT to help provide safe water during water‐related emergencies such as floods, hurricanes and cyclones.
• OXFAM, through local NGO´s has distributed food aid and hygiene kits to 192 families sheltered in Corquin, Department of Copan, Lepaera, and Department of Lempira for a cost of USD 20,000. OXFAM is programming funds aimed to development projects to assist during the next months the humanitarian situation in the community of El Suctal.
• Honduran Red Cross Distributed all the relief aid recollected through Televicentro (national television network). This week HRC has presented on National TV a complete report of the distribution they carried out in the country. Officials were deployed to the Southern and Northern part of the country to make a damage and evaluation assessment in the following sectors: Food security, water and sanitation, agricultural sector and ways of living and psycho‐
social support. The Honduran Red Cross has distributed humanitarian aid (Kitchen Aid, hygienic kit, food aid) to the affected ones. This relief aid was received from: 1. The International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Half Moon who provided assistance to 1,400 families in the Departments of Choluteca, Valle and El Paraiso and 1,000 families in the rural areas of El Progreso, Yoro. 2. The Swiss Red Cross provided assistance to 1,000 families in the Departments of Valle and Choluteca and 600 families in the Department of Olancho.
• Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in coordination with CARITAS who works directly with the Municipal Emergency Committees (CODEM, abbreviation in Spanish) has provided a relief aid that consists of mattresses, drinking water, food aid, kitchen aid and personal hygienic kit in the departments of Colon, Cortes, Olancho, Copan, Yoro, Choluteca y Valle. This relief aid has a value of US$ 120,000.
Relief Aid
Table 4: Priority relief needs
Quantity per Quantity Item Description Observations Family
29,950 Shelter 52 mts2, to shelter two families per tent 2 families per Two families per Carpas Tent tent Plastic Tents
498,458 food Food aid 5 pounds of beans, 5 pounds of rice, 5 1 ration per Ration to last 5 days aid rations Rations to Pounds of sugar, one kilo of cooking oil, family feed a twho pounds of pasta, 2 bags of salt, 2 family of 7 sobres grandes de pasta de tomate. 1 libra members de café y 4 libras de harina de maíz). Candelas, matchs.
3,750,000 litres Potable Galon of wáter 15 litres daily 15 litres daily per of wáter water per person person per 5 days for a total population of 7,791
182,004 Mattresses 4 inches thick 3 mattresses Family of 7 per family members
499,389 Sheets Unipersonal 2 sheets per person
250,000 towels Cotton towels big and medium 1 towel per Size big and medium person
80,920 Sheet of 10 foot long, size 28 To built the roof, Zinc houses that were destroyed
62,081 Kitchen kit Cooking fryer, pot, spoon, one buring gas 1 kit per family Un kit per a family stove of seven members
117,959 Higiene Kit Bathroon tisue, diapers, soap to wash 2 kits per For a family of 7 for clothes, shower soaps, tooth paste and family 15 days. dental brush.
116,630 Plastics With a capacity to store 5 galons fo water 2 buckets per 2 buckets are containers family needed to store water.
486,000 pieces Clothes for Variety of sizes 2 sets per boys and person. girls and adult women.
20 Water Tanque 2, 500, Bomba Cisterna ¾, pumps to Multimedia 9x48 val/auto, carbón 9x48, provide suavisador 9x48, Pulidor, HT/10, Cautin, drinking Sellos Termiencogibles, Escobillon, 200 water Botellones, 4000 tapas.
300 Electricity ‐10 HP motor Tecumseh con cilindro de generators hierro fundido manga y bajo la protección del petróleo ‐7‐galón tanque proporciona 10,4 horas de tiempo de ejecución al 1 / 2 carga y 7,0 horas de tiempo de ejecución a plena carga ‐Compresión de liberación permite una fácil empezar retroceso ‐Todas las condiciones meteorológicas y carburador para cubrir en el buen funcionamiento de frío o calor ‐Disyuntor de protección y rodamiento de bolas para una larga vida. ‐De 5,000 a 6,000 watts ‐10 caballos de fuerza ‐Enfriado por aire ‐Con panel de control ‐120 voltios 20 Vehicles doble cab 4x4
300 Portable Motorola, PRO7150, 116 Canals, VHF, radios 136 to 172 MHZ
100 Base Motorola, PRO5100, 64 Canals, VHF, Radios 136 to 172 MHZ, 45 Watts
100 Base Motorola, PRO3100, 4 Canals, VHF, 136 Radios to 172 MHZ, 45 Watts
100 Bateries 12 voltios, 115 amperios
100 Antenna Ringo Ranger, OMNI directional, 136 to 172 MHZ
10,000 Latrines
40 Boats Aluminum, 25 foot, engine out of board source: COPECO