DREF operation update Dominican Republic: Tropical Storm Isaac

DREF operation n° MDRDO005 GLIDE n° TC-2012-000152-DOM Update n°1 – 20 November 2012

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC) Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) is a source of un-earmarked money created by the Federation in 1985 to ensure that immediate financial support is available for Red Cross and Red Crescent emergency response. The DREF is a vital part of the International Federation’s disaster response system and increases the ability of National Societies to respond to disasters.

Period covered by this update: 3 September to 6 October 2012.

Summary: CHF 290,116 was allocated from the IFRC’s Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) on 3 September 2012 to support the Dominican Red Cross (DRC) in delivering assistance to some 12,500 beneficiaries

This DREF operation is to support the operations in the province of Barahona in the Dominican Republic after the passage of Tropical Storm Isaac on 24 August 2012. The operation supports 2,500 families by providing safe water, hygiene and sanitation promotion, vector disease control activities and psychosocial support. This operation is expected to be implemented in 3 months, Dominican Red Cross team providing a segment of Haitian community and completed by December 2012. In line members with information on processing and distribution of water in with Federation reporting standards, the Polo, Barahona province. Source: DRC. Final Report (narrative and financial) is due 90 days after the end of the operation (by March 2013).

The major donors and partners of DREF include the Australian, American and Belgian governments, the , the and government, Danish Red Cross and government, the European Commission Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection (ECHO), the Irish and the Italian governments, the Japanese Red Cross Society, the Luxembourg government, the Monaco Red Cross and government, the and government, the and government, the Spanish Government, the and government, the United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID), the Medtronic and Z Zurich Foundations, and other corporate and private donors. ECHO and the Canadian Red Cross and government have replenished the DREF with 97 per cent of the allocation made to this operation. The IFRC, on behalf of the national society, would like to extend thanks to all for their generous contributions. http://www.ifrc.org/en/what-we-do/disaster-management/responding/disaster-response-system/financial- instruments/disaster-relief-emergency-fund-dref/

The situation

Tropical Storm Isaac affected the island of Hispaniola as of 23 August, bringing heavy rains and flooding to the Dominican Republic. Areas close to the border with Haiti were severely affected by flood waters and landslides which caused several water pipelines to malfunction, diminishing people’s access to safe water. The most affected provinces were Independencia, Azua and Barahona.

The DRC selected beneficiary families based on its initial rapid assessments targeting the area of Polo in the province of Barahona, which was severely affected by the overflowing of the Colorao river. The municipality of Polo incurred damage to three water systems; as a result, access to safe water for the entire population (12,500 people) was impacted. The government water authority, the Instituto Nacional de Agua Potable y Alcantarillados (INAPA) estimated approximately three months as the time needed to repair the water system. leaving families with poor sanitation and potable water. In addition, 60 per cent of crops were assessed as damaged. Preventive measures were planned in order to minimize the risk of the spread of vector-borne and diarrhoeal disease.

The initial plan of action covered a total of 2,500 families affected by Tropical Storm Isaac in the municipality of Polo where affected community members include Haitian immigrants as well as Dominicans. Therefore, the DRC took a bilingual approach with materials in Spanish and Creole to carry out the operation in Polo. As the assessments revealed poor hygiene conditions, stress among the community members due to loss of crops, livelihoods and as a result of the overall situation, the National Society planned community cleaning campaigns, hygiene promotion and psychosocial support activities.

Based on further damage and needs assessments and on discussions between the DRC, the IFRC DM focal point and the main donor, ECHO, it was agreed that the plan of action would cover more areas hit by the rains. As a result, this DREF funded operation now seeks to assist beneficiaries in the municipality of Polo (province of Barahona), as well as in the municipalities of Boca de Cachón and Tierra Nueva (province of Independencia) and the municipalities of Majagual and Barreras (province of Azua). All these provinces were heavily affected by Tropical Storm Isaac and are located on the coast to the east of the capital, Santo Domingo. In each of these areas community members include Haitian immigrants. Based on the Ministry of Health’s epidemiological bulletin no. 42 dengue is prevalent in these provinces, worsened by stagnant water as well as poor sanitary conditions (especially in the most affected areas in the Independencia and Azua provinces); therefore necessary steps will be taken under this DREF-funded operation to implement hygiene promotion and cleaning campaigns.

The table shows the areas and numbers of families affected based on needs assessments:

Province Areas Total number of families affected Independencia Boca de Cachón and Tierra Nueva 900 Barahona Polo 2,500 Azul Majagual and Barreras 703 Total 4,103

Coordination and partnerships

The National Society has worked together with the Ministry of Public Health (MPH) with regard to disease surveillance, and hygiene, sanitation and health promotion. With the government water authority INAPA, collaboration has resulted in the National Society providing 2 water tankers with a capacity of 9,464 litres for each distribution site to provide safe water to the affected population. Furthermore, the Dominican Red Cross has worked together with the INAPA team to restore water services and monitor the water quality in the affected areas.

Red Cross and Red Crescent action

Progress towards outcomes

IFRC delegates and Regional Intervention Team (RIT) members participating in the RIT training held in the Dominican Republic provided support to the DRC directly after the passage of Tropical Storm Isaac in particular by assisting the team to complete rapid needs assessments and to draw up an initial plan of action.

Water, sanitation and hygiene promotion Outcome: The risk of waterborne and water related diseases has been reduced through the provision of safe water, adequate sanitation as well as hygiene promotion for 2,500 families (or 12,500 beneficiaries) in the Municipality of Polo, province of Barahona, municipalities of Boca de Cachón and Tierra Nueva province of Independencia, and the municipalities of Majagual and Barreras, province of Azua.

Output 1: Safe water is distributed to 2,500 families. • Identification of water sources to use for treatment. • Acquisition of 50 tanks for water storage to be installed at the community level. • Deployment and installation of water treatment plants. • Distribution of water following Sphere standards. • Distribution of water storage (jerry cans and buckets) equipment at household level. Output 2: Some 2,500 families are reached with basic sanitation and vector control measures to reduce the risk of diarrheic diseases and dengue. • Creation of a cleaning and disinfection brigade. • Hiring of a facilitator with skills in water, sanitation and hygiene promotion that resides in the affected area. • Disinfection with chorine solution of schools and health centres. • Community cleaning days. • Educational campaigns on dengue prevention both in Spanish and Creole. • Fumigation to control mosquito breeding grounds. Output 3: At least 80% of the target population in the Polo municipality is reached with hygiene promotion. • Conduct a refresher course for volunteers on the PHAST methodology. • Community trainings using PHAST methodology both in Spanish and Creole. • Distribution of one hygiene kit per family to 2,500 families. • Creation and distribution of informative materials (brochures and posters) on personal hygiene and health both in Spanish and Creole. • Transmission of key messages through the local radio and loudspeakers.

Progress made based on outputs (as 6 October 2012):

Output 1 - Safe water is distributed to 2,500 families.

The DRC identified water sources for treatment and installed three water purification units in Polo. Access to safe water was ensured by providing a total of 30 tanks for water storage in different parts of Polo. The water purification units have provided a total of 1,161,680.48 litres of water for the community during the first month (1 September to 2 October) - 3 litres of potable water a day per person, for the total target population of 12,500 persons. The water provided was tested daily to ensure water quality was following the standard of: chlorine in the distribution point residual chlorine 1.0-1.5 mg/L and in the last supply point residual chlorine 0.5-1.0 mg/L. Community leaders together with responsible DRC staff had the task of monitoring the tank conditions. In addition, 1,551 buckets with taps were distributed to support the delivery of safe water in Polo, benefitting a total of 7,555 people. Also, a total of 2,500 jerry cans were prepositioned so as to benefit the affected population based on needs.

Output 2 - Some 2,500 families are reached with basic sanitation and vector control measures to reduce the risk of diarrheic diseases and dengue.

Cleaning and disinfection brigades have been formed in target communities in Barahona and Azua and as of 6 October, the communities have been engaged in cleaning days as per the table below:

Province Cleaning day Communities (disinfection done) Barahona 12 Municipality of Polo: central area of Polo, La Cañada, Los Cartones, El Barrio la Policía, Polo market, La Q, La Muda, Bretón. Azua 1 Majagual

A nationwide educational health campaign has been carried out in collaboration with the health authorities. In addition, fumigation was carried out in three communities in Polo in coordination with the Ministry of Public Health. The areas covered were: Los Arroyos Arriba, Arroyo Abajo, Nuestra Señora del Amparo and Los Cartones where the MPH had identified a total of 60 households at high risk of disease spread by mosquitoes.

Output 3 - At least 80 per cent of the target population in the Polo municipality is reached with hygiene promotion.

The National Society held a refresher training in the Participatory Hygiene and Sanitation Transformation (PHAST) methodology for 20 volunteers. After this, volunteers provided training in the PHAST methodology to a total of 518 persons both in Spanish and Creole. Below is the breakdown per training.

PHAST Community Men Women Boys Girls Total Arroyo Arriba 33 57 0 0 90 Los Timbeses 3 7 0 0 10 Pedro Bello 8 15 0 0 23 Nuestra Señora del Amparo 13 17 0 0 30 Los Cartones 2do. 12 16 0 0 28 Fondo de Aristeo 14 20 0 0 34 Las Auyamas 30 76 0 0 106 Los Cartones 2do 2 14 0 0 16 Nuestra Señora del Amparo 3 21 0 0 24 Los Pinvices 1 15 0 0 16 Fondo de Pedro Bello 0 14 0 0 14 Los Pinvices 2 24 0 0 26 Los Arroyos 20 48 0 2 70 Nuestra Señora del Amparo 3 28 0 0 31 TOTAL 144 372 0 2 518

Further capacity development within communities has led to total of 2,590 persons benefitting from PHAST. In addition, some 1,483 families received hygiene kits (1 month supply of items); at the same time hygiene and sanitation promotional informative materials were distributed in form of brochures, leaflets, banners, flipcharts and posters on personal hygiene and health both in Spanish and Creole in the selected communities in the provinces of Barahona, Independencia and Azua. Additionally, TV and local radio messages were used for awareness-raising amongst the public.

The National Society has distributed posters on chlorination and conservation of water to increase hygiene promotion in the affected communities. In schools located in the municipality of Polo, 500 students have received epidemic disease prevention and health promotion (hygiene and sanitation) awareness raising information in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health.

The National Society together with the Ministry of Public Health, worked on 5 October on the national day for water “Agua, como un derecho humano – Water as a human right” in the provinces of Barahona and Santo Domingo, both affected by Tropical Storm Isaac.

Emergency Health Outcome 1: The health risks have been reduced through the provision of preventive information, epidemiological surveillance and psychosocial support to 2,500 families (or 12,500 beneficiaries) in Polo Municipality, province of Barahona, municipalities of Boca de Cachón and Tierra Nueva province of Independencia, and the municipalities of Majagual and Barreras, province of Azua. Output 1: At least 90% of the target population in Polo Municipality is reached with epidemic control measures. Activities: • Carry out community talks on the prevention of dengue, malaria, cholera and leptospirosis both in Spanish and Creole. • Hire a promoter on community health that resides in affected area. • Support the Ministry of Health with epidemiological surveillance. • Complete community cleaning days. • Distribute 2 mosquito nets per family to 2,500 families. • Coordinate with Ministry of Health officials to complete community and households fumigations. Output 2: The effect of stress is reduced through the provision of psychosocial support in seven communities affected by floods Activities: • Conduct a refresher course for volunteers on psychosocial support. • Conduct stress management activities with children and adults. • Provide psychological first aid.

Progress made based on outputs (as by 6 October 2012):

Output 1: At least 90 per cent of the target population in Polo Municipality is reached with epidemic control measures.

As of 6 October, the Dominican Red Cross had carried out trainings in Spanish and Creole on health promotion for the prevention of diseases such as dengue, malaria, cholera, leptospirosis and HIV/AIDS, using the Community-Based Health and First Aid (CBHFA) methodology as per the table below:

CBHFA

Community Men Women Boys Girls Total Centro de Polo 44 34 45 24 147 Centro de Polo 4 1 3 2 10 Centro de Polo 2 6 1 3 12 Centro de Polo 1 4 6 8 19 Centro de Polo 4 6 5 3 18 Barrio la Peña 12 5 0 0 17 Fondo de Benito Arriba 9 8 1 2 20 Fondo de Benito Abajo 9 8 1 2 20 Calle Nueva 10 20 0 0 30 Los Arroyos 31 59 0 0 90 Los Arroyos 12 24 0 2 38 TOTAL 138 175 62 46 421

The National Society has worked in close collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health and has increased epidemic surveillance to minimize the risk of diarrheal diseases, leptospirosis, dengue and malaria among the affected population. As of 6 October, some 2,964 mosquito nets (2 nets per family, 1,482 families assisted) have been distributed in the municipality of Polo. In collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health, the National Society has performed targeted fumigation in high risk areas and houses, with 60 households fumigated in the following communities in the municipality of Polo: Los Arroyos Arriba, Arroyo Abajo, Nuestra Señora del Amparo and Los Cartones.

Output 2: The effect of stress is reduced through the provision of psychosocial support in seven communities affected by floods.

The National Society performed a refresher training in psychosocial support (PSP) for 20 volunteers who assisted a total of 261 persons as per needs below:

Psychosocial support (PSP)

Community Men Women Boys Girls Total Fondo de Benito 0 0 8 5 13 Fondo de Benito 0 0 9 5 14 Fondo de Benito 0 0 14 6 20 Centro de Polo 0 0 7 14 21 Centro de Polo 1 0 9 8 18 Centro de Polo 0 0 7 9 16 Centro de Polo 0 0 8 10 18 Centro de Polo 0 0 13 5 18 Centro de Polo 0 0 20 17 37 Centro de Polo 0 0 7 10 17 Centro de Polo 0 0 13 7 20 Centro de Polo 0 0 3 7 10 Centro de Polo 0 0 11 7 18 Centro de Polo 0 0 8 13 21 TOTAL 1 0 137 123 261

Additional PSP support has been given to staff and volunteers of the Dominican Red Cross based on needs among the staff working under this DREF supported operation.

Overall challenges

The National Society’s reporting has been delayed due to modifications to the plan of action, in order to cover two more provinces - Independencia and Azua based on needs assessed.

Contact information For further information specifically related to this operation please contact: • Dominican Red Cross: Gustavo Lara, general director, Dominican Red Cross; phone: +1.809.6291.673; email: [email protected]

• IFRC regional representation: Joe Lugo, regional organizational development coordinator, Latin Caribbean; phone: + 1 809 334 4545; email: [email protected] • IFRC Americas zone office: Benoit Porte, acting PADRU coordinator; phone: 507 317 3050; and email: [email protected]

In Geneva: Christine South, Operations Support, Phone: +41.22.730.4529, email: [email protected] Americas Zone Logistics Unit - Global Logistics Service: Douglas Baquero, zone logistics coordinator; phone: +507.316.1001; email: [email protected] For Performance and Accountability (planning, monitoring, evaluation and reporting enquiries) In IFRC Zone: Jane Grimshaw, PMER manager; phone: +507.317.3050; and email: [email protected]

DREF history: • This DREF was initially allocated on 3 September 2012 for CHF 290,116 for 3 months to assist 12,500 beneficiaries. • Targeted areas under this DREF were revised in accordance with a request from the Dominican Red Cross and based on additional information provided to the Disaster Management focal point on assessments done. The change in the DREF-funded operation was discussed and agreed upon with main donor, ECHO. 

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How we work All IFRC assistance seeks to adhere to the Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO’s) in Disaster Relief and the Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response (Sphere) in delivering assistance to the most vulnerable.

The IFRC’s vision is to inspire, encourage, facilitate and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies, with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering, and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.

The IFRC’s work is guided by Strategy 2020 which puts forward three strategic aims: 1. Save lives, protect livelihoods, and strengthen recovery from disaster and crises. 2. Enable healthy and safe living. 3. Promote social inclusion and a culture of non-violence and peace.