In a period of just three weeks, starting 17 August, Haiti was hit by an unprecedented sequence of hurricanes and tropical storms; Fay, Hanna, Ike and Gustav, that led to widespread flooding and left vast areas of the country completely cut-off due to the total disruption of the already poor road network and the destruction of seven bridges.
WFP took the lead since the catastrophe struck in coordinating and organizing the logistics for the humanitarian inter-agency response. This ensured prompt distribution of food to the most affected people in urban and rural areas, especially in the temporary shelters of the city of Gonaives and in the Southern coastal areas.The food was provided through the IRA-EMOP and the relief component of the current PRRO 10674.0.
Based upon the extent of the damages and the number of affected people – initially estimated at approximately 800,000 people requiring immediate assistance the UN System launched a Flash Appeal on 18 September 2008. The WFP components – Food assistance is considered under this EMOP.
WFP food aid in the form of family dry food rations will be provided for a period of up six months. Depending on the beneficiary status and the situation analysis, activities will be implemented in the context of immediate response and relief assistance through: general food distributions (GFD), emergency school feeding and food-for-work (FFW) activities.
When possible, children under five, pregnant women, lactating mothers and other vulnerable groups will be supported through blanket supplementary feeding activities through health centers and other community level nutrition centers supported by Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs).
Free food distribution will be implemented during the first phase of this emergency operation.
Whenever feasible, a gradual shift from relief distribution to some recovery components as short term food for work which will support effort in school and other public spaces cleaning and land rehabilitation will be implemented. This will enable the affected population to start improving its food security situation.
In the most affected areas, as soon as schools reopen, WFP assistance will also provide emergency school feeding to 100,000 children in schools not covered by the current PRRO.
The EMOP is in line with WFP’s Strategic Objective (WFP-SO) one, saving lives and protect livelihoods in emergencies.
The emergency operation’s objectives are to:
This EMOP is also in line with MDGs 1, 2 , 4 and 5.
