Highlights and Numbers from the April 16, 2010 OCHA Situation Report

For thorough data and situation reports on the most recent situation in Haiti, refer to the OCHA and USAID reports (see previous post) OCHA and USAID stand for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Efforts and the US Agency for International Development.

Highlights from the April 16, 2010 OCHA Situation Report

• Please note that this is the last Situation Report on the 12 January Earthquake response. OCHA Haiti will now produce Humanitarian Bulletins from 22 April 2010.

• Situation Overview – Three months after the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti on 12 January, killing over 200,000 people, humanitarian partners have reached the following milestones in the response:
• Over 3.5 million people have received food assistance
• 1.3 million people have access to potable water through the installation of water points
• Over 1 million people have received emergency shelter material
• Some 510,000 people have benefited from hygiene kits
• More than 500,000 people (adults and children), have been vaccinated against common diseases
• The main priorities for humanitarian assistance in Haiti remain: Emergency Shelter, Site Management and Sanitation.
• First lady Michelle Obama and Dr Jill Biden visited Haiti on 13 April to see first-hand the progress of relief efforts. They met with President René Préval to reiterate the support of the United States in assisting Haiti to build back better. Both ladies visited a camp for displaced people in Champs de Mars and a school which offers children a sense of normalcy during this relief and recovery phase. They recognized the effort of humanitarian actors and the global commitment to assist Haiti.
• Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) - Figures from the latest camp management mobile monitoring (Displacement Tracking Matrix or DTM) identifies 1,325 sites (excluding sub-sites) in Port-au-Prince, Jacmel, Leogane, Petit and Grande Goave. This makes a total displaced population of 401,688 households and 2,088,107 individuals. Of these identified sites, only 273 have Camp Management agencies registering an overall coverage rate of 21%.
• Shelter/Non-Food Items (NFI) - The cluster is on target for delivering 2 tarpaulins per family by 01 May. Cluster members have reached 96% of the known caseload (of 1.3 million instead of 1.5 million people as mentioned in earlier reports) with emergency shelter materials. However, constant rain over the past weekend has revealed that some tents are not waterproof, requiring additional plastic sheeting.
• Agriculture - WFP and FAO are planning to carry out a “Food and Crop Assessment Mission (CFSAM)” in Haiti. The primary purpose of a CFSAM is to provide an accurate picture of the extent and severity of crisis-induced food insecurity. The CFSAM also examines existing or expected food crisis in the country (or in specific areas) so that timely and appropriate actions can be taken by the Government and the international community to mitigate the impact of the crisis on affected populations. A CFSAM is a focused exercise to prepare and present clear estimates for crop production, the overall food supply situation, and the food security situation at household level.
• Food - WFP started distributing meals to school age children during the last week of February and is now using the already established school feeding network as an emergency safety net for children affected by the earthquake. WFP is currently working with the national school feeding programme (Programme National des Cantines Scolaire) and NGOs to extend coverage to children of school age progressively, incorporating schools that will re-start educational activities in April, and in some sites children who are not enrolled in school. WFP has currently reached approximately 550,000 school children nation wide and plans to reach 800,000 by the end of June.
• Nutrition –
• About 494,600 children under five and 197,840 pregnant and lactating women were affected by the earthquake. They are all considered to be at risk of malnutrition and are being targeted for blanket supplementary feeding.
• About 28 stabilization centres for in-patient management of severe acute malnutrition with medical complications are currently functioning throughout the country. While 126 out-patient therapeutic feeding centres (OTPs) for the out-patient management of severe acute malnutrition without medical complications are also functional.

• Health –
• A general study on neonatal care in various health facilities is underway. The objective is to develop a national strategy for care of newborn babies at risks of acute health threats such as malnutrition and disease. The study will take into consideration the health needs of pregnant women.
• A mapping of referral centres for pregnant women, including those in settlements is underway to identify needs and gaps.
• Maternal health facilities need qualified health professionals and appropriate equipment. Meanwhile, care for amputees and individuals with other disabilities needs to be increased. There is a lack of specialized facilities outside Port-au-Prince.
• Sites without health care coverage are still being identified. This week Isole and Terre Noir were added to the list of areas in need of health care coverage by partner agencies. Health gaps also exist in mental health, psychosocial support, maternal and child health, HIV/AIDS, and rehabilitation.
• Protection - Reports have been received of displaced population in the Provinces making their return to Port-au-Prince. In Grand Anse, the Jeremie municipality indicates that an average of three buses leave the town everyday towards Port-au-Prince. Population interviewed explained that their return is justified by the lack of humanitarian aid, the poor quality of education in the region and for better economic opportunities. Displaced population in other Provinces express similar concerns. In Plateau Central, for example, the MINUSTAH Human Rights section identified displaced population in spontaneous settlements which have never been reached with humanitarian assistance since their arrival.
• Education –
• According to the Ministry of Education, there are 4,700 damaged or destroyed schools in the affected areas.
• The Ministry of Education has officially reopened schools in the regions most affected by the 12 January earthquake. UNICEF has supported the reopening of 40 priority schools benefiting 34,000 children; Save the Children supported a further 50 schools. A survey of 70 schools revealed that approximately 75% of children enrolled prior to the earthquake have now returned to school.
• Gaps & Constraints:  Inspection and certification of school buildings safe for re-occupation has been slow, and the Ministry of Education has stated that children should not return to unsafe structures. Therefore, there is likely to be a great need for temporary and transitional learning spaces until the certification process is completed.
• Logistics - Road Status Monitoring (RSM) has begun and is intended to inform the humanitarian community about the accessibility of all major supply routes in Haiti. The first publication of an updated RSM map is expected on 13 April.