Torrential rains, storm surges and landslides caused by the hurricane left a trail of destruction across the region, with homes razed, roads and bridges washed away, and large areas still without power, internet access and other telecommunications.
The UN Office of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said aid supplies were on the way and emergency teams were supporting government responses in Jamaica, Cuba and Haiti.
Jamaica, food support
In Jamaica, the World Food Program (PAM) helped the government with logistics, communications and cash support, delivering 5,000 food kits, enough to feed 15,000 people for a week.
The situation in the south of the country remains “apocalyptic”with homes submerged, roads blocked and people sleeping in the streets, said Brian Bogart, WFP country director.
Despite this, Mr. Bogart noted that advance preparation efforts had helped speed up the response, but stressed that Jamaica’s resilience “must now be supported”.
The UN deploys emergency medical teams, supports water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) efforts, provides psychological care and contributes to disease surveillance.
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is preparing to send 5.5 tons of humanitarian aid, including health and trauma kits, medical backpacks, tents, water supplies, mosquito nets and personal protective equipment.
More than 284,000 Jamaican children now urgently need help in health, education, nutrition and protection, the local UN children’s agency said (UNICEF) team.
“Yesterday we were on our way to Black River in St Elizabeth, one of the hardest hit areas, but the roads were blocked by fallen trees and power lines, preventing us from reaching the most affected communities.“, said Olga Isaza, the most senior UNICEF official on the island.
The agency is responding quickly to help the government and other partners assess needs and deliver prepositioned supplies, including food, clean water, medicine and emergency hygiene kits. Additional humanitarian aid is ready to be flown in.
Cuba, health aid
At the same time, from its regional strategic stockpile in Panama, PAHO shipped 2.6 tons of humanitarian aid to Cuba.
The shipment includes emergency kits containing medicines, medical and surgical equipment sufficient to treat 5,000 people for three months. It also includes chlorine tablets to treat millions of liters of water, as well as essential medical supplies and shelter.
UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said that in eastern Cuba, “preliminary assessments indicate serious damage in Santiago, Holguín, Granma and Guantanamo, including to homes, roads and health facilities,” adding that “hundreds of communities remain isolated and access continues to be hampered by damaged road, rail and air infrastructure.”
Once ground communications are restored, supplies will be delivered to the worst-affected areas of eastern Cuba.
Mr Dujarric said the UN “together with our partners is supporting national authorities with assessments and early recovery plans”.
UN News interviewed Dennis Zulu, UN Resident Coordinator and highest official in Jamaica, about the immediate priorities on the ground:
Publicado anteriormente en Almouwatin.
