HIGHLIGHTS

Eastern Caribbean Development Partners Group for Disaster Management (ECDPG/DM)
The Eastern Caribbean Development Partners Group for Disaster Management (ECDPG/DM) met on Thursday, September 4, 2015 to discuss and provide updates on the humanitarian response to Dominica. Key updates from the meeting are as follows:

CARICOM Secretariat
The CARICOM Secretariat has provided US$50,000 to support the emergency response through the Dominica Office of Disaster Management (ODM). The CARICOM Secretarial General made an official visit to Dominica on September 4, 2015. Whilst there, he participated in the national briefing on September 4, 2015.

Caribbean Development Bank (CDB)

• CDB will deploy a team to Dominica to discuss possible support for re-construction. They are expecting to arrive on Sunday 6th September.
• CDB is also facilitating a US$200,000 emergency grant on behalf of Inter-American Development Bank.

Canada
The Government of Canada will contribute CAN$50,000 Canadian to the Dominica Office of Disaster Management to support relief operations.

United Kingdom

• The Government of the United Kingdom through the UK Department for International Developement (UK DFID) has provided £240, 000 (approximately EC$ 1 million dollars) towards the purchase of medical supplies through the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO).
• British Frigate (RFA Lyme Bay) has set up a field kitchen and is supporting water distribution and land clearing efforts in Dublanc.
• A medical services post has also been set up in Dublanc

United States of America
The Government of the United States of America has processed the release of US$50,000 for emergency relief supplies through the Dominica Red Cross.

World Bank

• The World Bank has informed that the Contingent component of Disaster Vulnerability Reduction Project (DVRP) has been triggered and this will allow access to US$1 million for support to Dominica.
• The World Bank is also collaborating with partners to undertake a rapid assessment on request from the Government of Dominica

United Nations Agencies

Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO)

• A rotation of the initial PAHO deployment has commenced.
• A surveillance advisor has been deployed from Barbados on 3rd September 2015.

United Nations Development Programme

• UNDP has announced that a cash grant of US$50, 000 from the Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) will be channeled through the Dominica Office of Disaster Management Dominica.

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
An emergency specialist is being deployed from the UNICEF Guyana Office and is expect to arrive in Dominica on Monday 7th September.

DAMAGE ASSESSMENT AND RECOVERY
Preliminary estimates of damage have been provided and are as follows:

• Airport - EC$39.5 million
• Agriculture - livestock – EC$577 000, Crops – EC$9,716,000, infrastructure – EC$11,910,000, farm housing, equipment and inputs – EC$2,380,200
• Fishing industry at- EC$1,775,000
• Infrastructure (main roads and bridges) - EC$612,700,000
• Tourism Sector – EC$28.9 million.

Utilities

Electricity

• 1,070 customers continue to be affected as at September 3, 2015
• For safety purposes some homes will have to be re-certified before power can be restored

Water

• 60% of the water systems have been restored as at September 3, 2015
• Approximately 70% of the population are receiving potable water as at Sep 3, 2015
• Currently trucking water to some areas
• Need for additional water purification tablets and water purification units

Telecommunications

• Telecommunications providers, LIME and DIGICEL, have reported that service has been restored to 98% of the subscribers as at September 3, 2015

EVENT
Erika became the fifth named storm of this year’s Atlantic Hurricane Season on August 24, 2015. Erika began impacting the CDEMA Participating States from Wednesday, August 26 and degenerated to a trough of low pressure on Saturday, August 29, 2015.

The centre of Tropical Storm Erika passed about 90 miles to the North of the Commonwealth of Dominica at its nearest point, with the storm producing intense rainfall across the island. The Canefield Airport near the capital of Roseau, Dominica, recorded 12.64 inches of rain in a 12-hour period from Erika on Thursday, August 27. This resulted in severe flooding and landslides and wide spread damage across the island. As of September 2, 2015 the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) has confirmed 11 dead and 24 reported missing.

Following a preliminary assessment of the impact, the Prime Minister of Dominica declared nine (9) Special Disaster Areas on August 29, 2015. The Prime Minister’s address to the nation and declaration can be accessed at https://soundcloud.com/rooseveltskerrit

Special Disaster Areas

The Government of Dominica has declared nine (9) Special Disaster Areas. These are:

• Petite Savanne
• Pichelin
• Good Hope
• Bath Estate (Paradise Valley)
• Dubique
• Campbell
• Coulibistrie
• San Sauveur
• Petite Soufriere

A hotline has been established with the Office of Disaster Management (ODM) and the Dominica Red Cross to offer assistance to persons seeking information on family members. The number is 1 (767) 448-8280.

The Government of Dominica has established an account at the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank to receive contributions in support of its recovery and reconstruction efforts following the passage of Tropical Storm Erika.

The account details are as follows:
United States Dollars (USD)
Federal Reserve Bank (NY)
SWIFT: FRNYUS33
ECCB’s account number at the FED: 021083695
FFC Government of Dominica account 310301005

NATIONAL DAYS OF MOURNING AND PRAYER
The Prime Minister of Dominica has declared Thursday, September 3rd and Friday, September 4th, 2015 as National Days of Mourning. He has also designated Saturday, September 5th , and Sunday, September 6th, 2015 as National Days of Prayer.

IMPACT AND RESPONSE

Casualties
Dead, Missing and Injured
As of September 3rd, 2015, the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) has confirmed 12 dead, 22 missing and 20 injured.

Homeless
574 persons

Evacuees
713 evacuated from Petit Savanne
Dubique has been evacuated

Shelters and shelterees
Eight (8) shelters were opened, with approximately 411 shelterees.

DAMAGE ASSESSMENT AND NEEDS ANALYSIS
Damage assessment and needs analysis are ongoing. Data is currently being collated at the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC).

Housing Stock
Preliminary damage assessment has indicated:

• 271 houses damaged or destroyed of which 217 are in Petite Savanne and 54 in the rest of the country as of September 2, 2015.

Infrastructure

• Several communities remain cut off as a result of damage to roadways and bridges.
• Clearing of roads blocked by debris is ongoing.

Preliminary estimates of damage to roads and bridges are estimated at EC$612.7 million as of September 2, 2015.

Health (as at September 3, 2015)

• Three (3) Hospitals and 43 Health Centres are operational
• Three (3) Health Centres are not operational

The Ministry of Health has activated its Emergency Response Plan and Health Emergency Operations Centre (EOC). The Health EOC is located at the APU Building at Princess Margaret Hospital.

Transport (as at September 1, 2015)

• Roseau southwards to Soufriere is accessible.
• Roseau to Loubiere to Bellevue is accessible.
• Roseau, northwards along the west coast to Batalie is accessible.
• Four wheeled drive vehicles can access Portsmouth via that route.
  There are diversions at Coulibistrie. River path was created in Coulibistrie to facilitate commuting.
• From Roseau to Pond Case to Castle Bruce, Kalinago Territory into Marigot is accessible.
• Northwards, from Portsmouth to Marigot is accessible and Portsmouth to Capuchin is accessible.
  Portsmouth to Vielle Case and Penville are also accessible.
  Galleon is not accessible

Police/Military Facilities
Police headquarters is reachable via cell phone.

Ports of entry

• Melville Hall’s airport suffered damage and remains closed to commercial flights.
• The Canefield airport is operational for helicopter and small aircraft use.
• All sea ports remain functional and open.
  The preliminary estimates of damage to the Airports is estimated at EC$39.5 million

Utilities

Electricity
Dominica Electricity Services (DOMLEC) has reported that they continue to work on restoring power within the affected areas.

• Several hydro systems were significantly affected
• 1,070 customers continue to be affected as at September 3, 2015
• For safety purposes some homes will have to be re-certified before power can be restored

Water
Dominica Water and Sewerage Company Limited ( DOWASCO ) has reported the following:

• 100% of national water system was affected
• 60% of the water systems are restored as at September 3, 2015
• Approximately 70% of the population are receiving potable water as at Sep 3, 2015
• Water is being delivered to some areas
• Need for additional water purification tablets and water purification units

Communications
All FM stations are operational along with 2 television stations.

Telecommunications Service Providers
LIME and DIGICEL collaborated on restoring service in the post Erika efforts.

LIME

• Underground fiber optic transmission network was significantly compromised due to flooding and the washing away of bridges and river crossings
• Lime mobilized and received support from regional colleagues in Jamaica (9), Antigua (5), and Saint Lucia (1) as well as Miami (1).
• 98% of the subscribers have had service restored as at September 3, 2015
• Sites not restored include Douglas Charles airport. This will be restored when the facility is fully operational
• LIME is supporting the humanitarian response. The company has established a text to donate initiative across the network in the region. Each text generates US$1.00 for the Dominica relief efforts

DIGICEL

• DIGICEL services were also impacted. The network was completely down on Friday, August 28, 2015.
• 98% network availability as at September 3, 2015
• DIGICEL is supporting the humanitarian efforts through a variety of interventions including the establishment of a text to donate initiative across the Region

Education

• The Ministry of Education (MoE) in Dominica has indicated that of the 75 schools (primary and secondary), 22 are either unreachable or damaged, and one extensively damaged.
• A number of early childhood centres are also damaged, but extent and number are yet to be ascertained.
• The opening of schools is postponed from next week to September 21st. The Permanent Secretary, MoE has indicated that one of the largest schools is being used as a shelter.
• The MoE has asked head teachers and teachers to report to work and start with the clearing of schools in readiness for the opening.

Agriculture:

• Loss of access to farms and farm lands due to washing away of bridges, roads and feeder roads
• Crops, livestock, land, fertile top soil has been destroyed
• Initial assessment puts damages as follows: livestock – EC$577 000, Crops – EC$9,716,000, infrastructure – EC$11,910,000, farm housing, equipment and inputs – EC$2,380,200
• Preliminary assessments puts the damage to the fishing industry at EC $1,775,000
• Abandoned farm animals in Petite Savanne stand the risk of dying of starvation; Delices is also making a plea for animal feed.
• 600 acres of bay leaf compromised and distillery destroyed.

Tourism
Preliminary assessment of the Tourism Sector has indicated damage in excess of EC$28.9 million.

REGIONAL ACTIONS:
The Regional Response Mechanism (RRM) remains activated. The RRM is an arrangement for the coordination of disaster response among CDEMA Participating States, and Regional and International Agencies. The RRM is coordinated by CDEMA through the Regional Coordination Centre in Barbados.

Deployment, quantification of needs and priorities are ongoing and are being coordinated by the CARICOM Disaster and Assessment Coordination (CDAC) team on the ground. The National Emergency Operations Centre is also being supported by the CARICOM Operational Support Team (COST). Additionally, CDEMA has initiated its first rotation of the CDAC and COST teams to relieve those deployed in the immediate aftermath of the event.

UPDATES ON PLEDGES AND SUPPORT

CDEMA Participating States

Antigua and Barbuda:
A container of relief supplies was dispatched to Dominica on Monday night (August 31) containing 63 boxes of clothing and shoes, toiletries, dry goods and canned goods. The Government of Antigua and Barbuda has also committed an immediate US$100, 000 and relief experts to the Government of Dominica.

Barbados:
The Government of Barbados continues to support the transit of essential personnel and relief supplies from its port to Dominica.

Jamaica:
The Government of Jamaica has advised, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, of a contribution of US$100,000 to support Dominica’s Relief Efforts.

Saint Lucia:
The Government of Saint Lucia continues to support the transit of essential personnel and relief supplies from its ports to Dominica.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines:
The Government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines has committed 100 meters Bailey Bridges. They are scheduled to depart Saint Vincent by Friday 4th September, 2015.

Trinidad and Tobago:
Helicopters used in the early stages of the response have completed the initial hours pledged.

Please See Annex 1 for summary of pledges and support by CDEMA Participating States

Regional Institutions Support

CARICOM SECRETARIAT

• The CARICOM Secretariat has provided US$50,000 to support the emergency response through the Dominica Office of Disaster Management. CARICOM Secretarial General made an official visit to Dominica and he participated in the National Briefing on September 4, 2015.

CARIBBEAN DEVELOPMENT BANK (CDB)

• CDB has engaged a local engineer to liaise with the Government of Dominica Department of Works Engineers
• CDB has made available to Dominica US$200,000 under its Emergency relief Grant (ERDG) facility. CDB is also facilitating a US$200,000 emergency grant on behalf of Inter-American Development Bank.
• CDB will deploy a team to Dominica to discuss possible support for re-construction. They are expecting to arrive on Sunday 6th September.

Please See Annex 2 for summary of pledges and support by Regional Institutions Support

Development Partner/Non-CDEMA Participating States

United Kingdom:

• United Kingdom Department for International Development (DIFD) has provided £240 000 (approximately EC$1 million dollars) towards the purchase of medical supplies through PAHO.
• Lyme Bay has set up a field kitchen and is supporting water distribution and land clearing efforts in Dublanc.
• A medical services post has also been set up in Dublanc
• The vessel delivered emergency relief supplies.

United Nations Development Programme:
UNDP has announced that a cash grant of US$50, 000 from the (Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) OCHA will be channeled through the Dominica Office of Disaster Management.

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF):
An emergency specialist is being deployed from the UNICEF Guyana office and is expect to arrive in Dominica on Monday 7th September.

PAHO:

• A roster of volunteer health workers has been developed
• A water and sanitation engineer has been deployed and arrived in Dominica September 2nd p.m. equipped with water testing kits
• PAHO advises countries to secure the agreement of the Ministry of health of Dominica prior to deploying volunteer health workers
• A rotation of the initial PAHO deployment has commenced.
• A surveillance advisor has been deployed from Barbados 3rd September 2015.

Government of Canada:
The Government of Canada will contribute CAN$50,000 Canadian to the Dominica Office of Disaster Management to support relief operations.

Government of the United States of America:

• The Government of the United States of America has processed the release of US$50,000 for emergency relief supplies through the Dominica Red Cross.
• 3 technical personnel are on the ground in Dominica supporting the relief efforts

World Bank:

• The World Bank has informed that the Contingent component of Disaster Vulnerability Reduction Project (DVRP) has been triggered and this will allow access to US$1 million for support to Dominica.
• The World Bank is collaborating with partners to undertake a rapid assessment on request from the Government of Dominica
• Supporting the assessment are experts in the following areas: transport, water, energy, airport assessment, GIS, environment and sanitation, and social services

Please See Annex 3 for summary of pledges and support by Development Partner/Non-CDEMA Participating States

Private Sector:
NAGICO Insurance has pledged EC$75,000 in $100 food vouchers.

CDEMA is coordinating the Regional Response Mechanism and providing direct support to Dominica.

CONTACT DETAILS: The CDEMA CU 24-hour contact number 1(246) 434-4880