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WFP Response
WFP is responding to Hurricane Irma through a
combination of ongoing and new operations:
An IR EMOP (Immediate response emergency
operation) in Haiti, valued at USD 800,000,
mainly for the provision of high energy biscuits
(HEB).
An IR EMOP focussing on the Eastern Caribbean
valued at USD 1.5 million for the provision of
HEBs and Cash Based Transfers (CBT) according
to consultations with local authorities.
An IR EMOP focussing on the Western Caribbean,
valued at USD 400,000, for the provision of HEBs.
A regional Special Operation, to make available
experts and equipment to support the overall
response to the hurricane.
In Cuba, WFP is coordinating and discussing with
national authorities possible response scenarios
and prioritization exercises.
Food and Nutrition Assistance
Today, 15 mt of HEB, prepositioned in Haiti in
preparation for hurricane Irma, arrived in Sint
Marteen. In close collaboration with the local
government and cooperating partner Samaritarian
Purse, the HEBs will be distributed to the population
in need as part of an emergency relief package,
including water, non-food items and food. These
distributions will be crucial until supermarkets,
commercial transport, IT networks, banking systems
resume.
Situation Update
Preliminary results of assessments conducted in
severely damaged islands with difficult access,
such as Anguilla, Barbuda the British Virgin
Islands etc, indicate the level of critical needs and
the support needed for government emergency
response capacities.
WFP staff deployed in Sint Maarten are reporting
that markets, banks and fuel stations are closed
and food stocks are depleting quickly. There are
growing concerns about the continued closure of
ports.
In Cuba, more than 2 million people were
evacuated. National authorities are currently
assessing damages. According to preliminary
reports, over 10,000 hectares of food production
were damaged – mainly in the northern coastal
municipalities in central Cuba –, including major
crops such as plantains, tubers, vegetables,
grains, fruits, as well as poultry and swine farms.
Strong winds and sea penetration affected roads
and the warehouse infrastructure of the most
affected provinces of Cuba.
Preliminary data collected in the Northeast of
Haiti indicates, that Hurricane Irma has critically
damaged main livelihoods, such as agriculture
and fisheries.
Preliminary results from a rapid assessment
conducted by the Haiti Ministry of Agriculture and
FAO estimate that more than 18,000 farmer
families are severely affected in the Northeast
department. Additionally, more than 1,300
hectares of crops were destroyed, rice and
bananas plantations are among the most
affected.
Photo: WFP/Giorgia Testolin
Highlights Damage and needs assessments are ongoing in the affected countries. Preliminary reports indicate that
the most severely affected areas are Anguilla, Barbuda, British Virgin Islands, Saint Martin, Sint Maarten,
Saint Barthélemy and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
WFP has deployed several teams to the islands affected by Hurricane Irma.
WFP will use its pre-positioned stocks and needs to mobilize resources for the purchase additional
commodities to respond to the needs of the population in Cuba.
WFP’s Executive Director David Beasley is hoping to visit Cuba this week to express WFP’s support to the
government.
13 September 2017
Hurricane Irma Situation Report #6
Page | 2
At the request of the Government of Haiti, WFP
started to distribute HEB on 10 September to
thousands of displaced people in shelters in the
north-east of the country. WFP remains ready to
support national and local authorities with
evaluating damage and assisting those affected.
In Haiti, a MIRA (Multi-Sector Initial Rapid
Assessment) is currently being conducted. The
assessment will evaluate the needs and help
inform the design of future interventions.
Preliminary results should be available beginning
of next week.
In Cuba, to support the Government’s response,
WFP has confirmed the availability of a
contingency food stock of 1,600 mt, pre-
positioned in Havana, Cienfuegos and Santiago de
Cuba to cover the food needs of at least 275,000
people for one month.
Additionally, in Cuba, WFP together with the
Government is discussing potential food rations
and target populations.
Supply Chain
In anticipation of Irma, the UN Humanitarian
Response Depot (UNHRD) in Dubai airlifted 63 mt
of HEBs, enough to assist immediately 80,000
people for four days.
Through the regional SO, WFP is transporting
crucial non-food items, including mobile storage
units, tarpaulins, prefabs, generators and other
logistics and telecommunications support
equipment. Meanwhile, WFP is putting together
special teams to assist with damage and needs
assessment, the management of food assistance
and provision of supply chain support.
A WFP helicopter will arrive to Puerto Plata,
Dominican Republic and a Caravan plane to
Antigua this week, to support our response in the
Eastern and Western Caribbean.
In coordination with the Government of Cuba,
WFP is relocating five mobile storage units (MSUs)
to support local authorities.
Emergency Telecommunications
WFP emergency telecommunications teams have
been deployed to ensure that hubs are fully
operational, as well as to support the increase of
connectivity and bandwidth requirements.
WFP will provide Emergency Telecommunication
services to the humanitarian community.
Resourcing Update:
Given the large scale destruction by the hurricane,
WFP urgently needs resources to support all of the
operations.
While some donors have made pledges, no
contributions have been officially registered as
yet.
In Cuba, the UN Emergency Technical Team
(UNETT) is working on a first draft of the
application to the Central Emergency Action Fund
(CERF), a humanitarian fund established by the
General Assembly of the United Nations.
Contacts
Regional Bureau: Alan Brown, Regional
Partnerships Officer — [email protected]
www.wfp.org Hurricane Irma Situation Report #6 13 September 2017
Photo: WFP/Giorgia Testolin
