International Coordination Meeting Emergency Operations Center NEOC - 17 November 2017

Update by Sector

Food Security WFP and UNICEF will transition to cash-based interventions, in coordination with the Government, supporting livelihoods and food security for up to 25,000 people through a joint emergency cash transfer project. Jointly with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MoAF), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and WFP have drafted a concept note for an assessment of the status of damaged feeder roads to ensure farmers’ access to food markets. A review of secondary data and satellite imagery is taking place to confirm the relevance of carrying out the proposed assessment. MoAF are distributing short-cycle vegetables seeds procured by FAO.

Shelter & Collective Centres Non-food item distributions started on 15 November at two schools in Portsmouth, the Government shipped construction materials to begin repairs on internally displaced persons´(IDPs) homes, facilitating their return. As of 13 November, the Shelter Sector has distributed approximately 10,000 blankets, 146 generators, 2,000 kitchen sets, 2,600 mosquito nets and 5,500 solar lights. More than 25,000 tarpaulin packages have been distributed to date. IOM has finished two contractor trainings in Marigot and Woodford Hill. IOM assessed 15 houses and repaired five as part of the training.

Water, Sanitation & Hygiene 57,437 people gained access to drinking water thanks to quick repairs of the water networks by DOWASCO; however, regularity of water services remains fragile. DOWASCO, IFRC/Dominican Red Cross Society and Samaritan’s Purse are operating six mobile treatment plants in strategic areas. A total of 4,307 students in 45 schools have access to water through DOWASCO or water trucking. Water trucking by DOWASCO, IFRC/Dominican Red Cross Society, International Medical Corps, Samaritan’s Purse and UNICEF continues in areas where networks remain non-operational.

Health Thirty-one of the 49 heath facilities are functional with 12 offering services from an alternate site or with partial services and six remain non-functional. Twenty-five of 49 health facilities have access to municipal water, five are receiving water from trucks and 17 get water from rain catchment, rivers or springs. Only two health facilities have electricity and the rest have generators installed. No dengue cases have been confirmed; however, mosquito larvae have been found in 34 out of 63 household sites surveyed last week though a household survey. Fogging and treatment of swamp areas is currently underway. 

Education & Protection The Ministry of Education together with IsraAID and UNICEF have defined a target for short and medium term activities. By the end of the year the goal is to have 90 schools (early childhood development centers and primary and secondary schools) open with safe learning spaces, access to water and sanitation, basic school supplies and teaching material. UNICEF will support the Ministry of Education with 47 temporary living spaces that will provide temporary learning spaces. Approximately 70 community-based volunteers have been trained on how to provide psychosocial support to children in child friendly spaces. Four child friendly spaces are active in the southeastern section of the country and more are planned to start their activities by next week.

Logistics & Emergency Telecommunications As of 15 November, WFP coordinated the dispatching of 629 MT of relief cargo from the Roseau seaport, which includes both in-kind food and non-food items (NFIs). 343 new registered users with well over 686 unique devices are registered on the expanded emergency telecommunications (ET) networks in Good Hope and Saint Sauveur (East Coast). The ETC sector is providing fuel for electric generators to maintain the satellite balloons and core equipment turned on 24 hours/day to provide 24/7 WiFi service Good Hope and Saint Sauveur (East Coast).

Early Recovery On Monday, 13 November, the Ministry of Planning began a training programme, certifying builders and contractors on the New Housing Standards for enhanced earthquake/hurricane resistance that was developed together with Engineers Without Borders and UNDP in consultation with the associations of architects, builders, contractors and engineers. The comprehensive Building Damage Assessment, led by the Ministry of Housing with the technical assistance of UNDP and Microsoft is progressing and approximately 7,000 buildings have already been assessed throughout Dominica. Roofing activities will start early December 2017 as the procurement of materials is being completed.