Cuba and Dominica: Hurricane response situation report

Highlights

• Following a rapid site verification from 4–6 October that identified 108 occupied collective centres housing 2,911 individuals, the IOM Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) team in Dominica rolled out rapid site assessments targeting all these centres from 11–17 October.
  Nineteen collective sites in schools scheduled to reopen by 16 October were targeted as priority locations in order to support the provision of assistance and deliver return or relocation support from these locations.
• On 11 October, IOM delivered 60 solar lamps to a community focal point in Sylvania and Desport.
  Furthermore, IOM facilitated the distribution of 50 solar lamps, 93 hygiene kits and 93 kitchen kits in Good Hope. On 14 October, IOM delivered 300 blankets and 100 solar lamps in Thibaud, 460 blankets and 152 solar lamps in Vielle Case, and 740 blankets and 133 solar lamps in Penville. Overall, IOM has distributed 146 shelter kits, 500 water purification kits, 2,269 solar lamps, 1,500 blankets, 526 hygiene kits and 321 kitchen kits.
• In Cuba, IOM has purchased 2,800 mattresses and 2,800 sheets, which are expected to arrive at the Port of Mariel on 17 October. These non-food items (NFIs) will be distributed to 1,400 families who have not yet been able to return to their homes. The purchase of 244 250-liter water tanks is underway and these goods are expected to arrive on 31 October.
  These tanks will be used to support returns to affected areas.

Situation Overview

Dominica was worst-affected by hurricane Maria, a category 5 storm when it impacted the island on 18 September. The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) has reported 26 confirmed fatalities and 31 people still missing in Dominica. Buildings across the country have experienced significant roof damage. As per the Joint Flash Appeal issued on 29 September, 15,000 households are in urgent need of shelter assistance.

Rapid site verification of the 143 official and unofficial hurricane collective centres was completed on 6 October by the IOM DTM team. The DTM team identified 108 official and unofficial collective centres in use, housing 2,911 people. From 11-15 October, DTM rapid site assessments were conducted in over 90 of these centres. The Government of Dominica released a list of schools scheduled to open from 16 October onwards, including 19 being used as collective centres. DTM rapid site assessments therefore prioritised these 19 collective centres, and a preliminary report was issued on 15 October.
Assessments of the remaining collective centres are ongoing with a report anticipated to be released on 20 October.

Original source and full report: International Organization for Migration.
Posted on 17 October 2017