ReliefWeb

This report is produced by the United Nations in collaboration with humanitarian partners in Dominica. It covers the period from 4 to 7 October, 2017. The next report will be issued on or around 12 October 2017.

Highlights

• Blanket food distribution is ongoing and still required across the country.

• Distribution and installation of emergency roofing supplies such as tarpaulins is needed.

• At least 100 metric tons (MT) of food have been delivered as of 6 October, to meet the needs of about half the people in 80 locations/villages of the country (out of 100) for an average period of three days.

• Potable water in communities, health care facilities, shelters and schools is urgently required until all 44 water networks are repaired.

• 2,751 people are currently residing in 100 collective centers visited by IOM. The total number of displaced people is unclear as some collective centers have not yet been reached and an unknown number of people may be staying with friends or family.

• Road access is improving throughout the island; however, there are limited vehicles available for delivery of relief items and clearance of solid waste.

$31 million needed for relief and recovery efforts in Dominica
Source: UN Flash Appeal

71,000 affected people
Source: UN Flash Appeal

65,000 people targeted for aid
Source: UN Flash Appeal

90 per cent buildings damaged or destroyed
Source: Aerial estimate by Pacific Disaster Center

Situation Overview

Three weeks after category 5 Hurricane Maria devastated Dominica, the situation is improving slowly; however, continued assistance is required to meet basic needs. Water and electricity services are returning in the main urban centers although periodic breakages continue to be reported, and much of the rural areas are without water. The Government reports that 100 per cent of communities have been reached with some sort of relief delivery; however, this does not mean that 100 per cent of the people have received individual assistance.

Food and safe water distribution remains a priority as the majority of commercial businesses remains closed and water supply systems have only been partly re-established. Foreign military assets assisted in the air and sea delivery of immediate relief supplies during the first two weeks of the response. Most have now departed as road access improved; however, deliveries by road are hindered by the lack of trucks.

The Government of Dominica has prioritized this week the continued blanket distribution of food and water, as well as emergency shelter materials. According to the Government, shelter assistance should be provided to health facilities, homes for the elderly, and people in collective centers to encourage people to return home and allow the buildings, including schools, to return to their original purpose.

As of 6 October, the Government, with the assistance of its partners and the WFP, had dispatched enough food aid to meet the food security needs of about half of the population located in over 80 locations/villages of the country (out of 100) for an average period of three days. 100 MT of food have been delivered so far, out of which 17 MT were High Energy Biscuits provided by WFP. WFP has also provided the necessary logistical support to ensure that most food distributions were accompanied with water. Some 89,000 liters of water have been delivered. Tens of thousands of people continue to require food and water assistance every day.

As of 3 October, water supply had been restored to 10 water networks, including parts of Roseau water network. Authorities have warned residents that the water of Roseau city water network, although treated, is not safe to drink as there are breaks in pipes. The restoration of supply will free up trucks to provide water to other areas of the country. An assessment of 36 per cent of the 44 water supply systems across the country is pending.

The Roseau city sewage network sustained damage and raw sewage water is outflowing in several streets within the city exposing the population to serious health risks. A rapid assessment by Dominica Water and Sewerage Company Limited (DOWASCO), USAID and UNICEF revealed that the technical, human and financial support required to ensure that sewage system becomes operational again is significant. A detailed assessment conducted by experts is needed.

At least 2,800 people are residing in collective centers throughout the country, including in primary and secondary schools. The Government has prioritized assistance to people in collective centers to support the quick return to their homes; however, equitable assistance should be provided to vulnerable families outside the shelters.