Fact Sheet

SUMMARY OF USG HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE TO HAITI FOLLOWING HURRICANES GUSTAV, HANNA AND IKE
(September 17, 2008)

Current status: 

As of September 15, U.S. Government aid for disaster relief to Haiti totaled $29.6 million, which is being granted in addition to logistical and transportation support provided by the U.S. naval amphibious vessel USS Kearsarge. 

Additional aid, particularly for medical needs, infrastructure repair and agricultural sector recovery, is under discussion. 

What is in the $29.6 million?

USAID’s Disaster Assistance Reponse Team (DART) is directing $9.8 million from USAID’s Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) to assist disaster-affected populations in Haiti.   This amount includes $2 million to help repair key bridges and restore humanitarian access, as announced by USAID Administrator Henrietta Holsman Fore on September 16.

 

USAID’s Food for Peace program (FFP) is providing $14 million in food assistance through USAID implementing partner WFP.  

USAID/Haiti is re-directing $5 million in existing program in funds toward food and other assistance to meet critical needs related to the growing humanitarian crisis.

 

The Department of Defense is providing $800,000 in humanitarian assistance funding for relief supplies, in addition to transportation and logistics support being provided by the USS Kearsarge.

Activities: 

·        On September 2, U.S. Ambassador Janet A. Sanderson issued a disaster declaration in response to Hurricane Gustav and resulting flooding throughout Haiti.

·        On September 4, a USAID/OFDA-chartered aircraft arrived in Port au Prince, delivering USAID/OFDA emergency relief supplies including 5,088 hygiene kits, 10,800 ten-liter water containers, and 500 rolls of plastic sheeting. Worth nearly $335,000 including transport, the supplies were transported to affected areas with assistance from the U.S. Coast Guard and implementing partner IOM.

·        USAID/OFDA is providing $500,000 million to PAHO in response to PAHO’s appeal for funding to support health activities for individuals affected by Hurricane Gustav and Tropical Storm Hanna. This funding will assist 10,000 people.

·        USAID/OFDA is also providing more than $1.5 million to IOM. This assistance will support shelter and settlements projects as well as humanitarian coordination activities.

·        On September 7, USAID/OFDA authorized the deployment of a three-person Americas Support Team (AST) to Haiti to supplement the U.N. Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team based in Gonaïves.

·        Early September 8, the amphibious vessel USS Kearsarge began using its landing craft and helicopters to transport food, water and other relief supplies to parts of Haiti that were inaccessible by land.  As of September 15, Kearsarge aircraft and vessels have delivered approximately 560 metric tons of urgently needed supplies to Gonaives, Les Cayes, Jacmel, Jeremie, St. Marc and other communities.  

·        On September 11, a second USAID/OFDA-chartered aircraft arrived with 10,200 ten-liter water containers, 5,088 hygiene kits, 700 rolls of plastic sheeting, and 2 water bladders, valued at $414,512, including transport. This airlift will benefit more than 5,000 families and provide shelter support for temporary facilities such as child-friendly spaces.

·        On September 16, USAID Administrator Henrietta Holsman Fore announced an addition $7 million in food aid and $2 million for bridge and road repair.

·        Personnel from USAID and the USS Kearsarge are working with Haitian authorities and the international community to assess infrastructure damage and help plan priority repairs.  

 

·        The U.S. Center for Disease Control and medical personnel from the USS Kearsarge have also met with representatives from the Pan American Health Organization and to assess additional medical needs.