Skip to main content

Hurricane Lili Situation Report No. 6

Countries
Cuba
Sources
UN DHA
Publication date

Ref: DHAGVA - 96/0431
COORDINATION MEETING WITH GOVERNMENT AND HEADS OF INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMMES/AGENCIES/FUNDS

1. In the context of the international appeal launched by the Cuban Government through DHA, Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Public Health, and Foreign Investment and Economic Collaboration held a meeting on Monday 21 October 1996 with heads of international programmes, agencies and funds represented in Cuba.

2. The Minister of Foreign Affairs highlighted the adverse economic and social impact derived from Lili. Most of the damage caused by the hurricane will have consequences in the short and medium term: additional scarcity of staples in the months to come (banana, coffee, citric, rice and other crops) and considerable negative impact on next sugar cane harvest as 43 per cent of the surface planted has been affected.

3. Cuban Civil Defence Bureau summed up national preparedness measures which had involved intense public information campaign, evacuation of almost 270,000 citizens. More than 270,000 livestock had been brought to safe areas.

4. The Foreign Minister emphasized the traditional and excellent relationship between the UN System and the Cuban Government during previous emergency situations and expressed the hope that, as before, the international community will respond positively.

Damage

5. Homes destroyed: 5,640, homes damaged: 78,855.

6. Around 21,500 ha of banana plantations devastated, more than 656,000 ha of sugar cane plantations and 36,000 ha of other crops affected.

7. In Santa Clara and Cienfuegos Provinces power plants have been damaged and transmission lines ruined. For this reason, water service has been interrupted during several days in important cities and villages.

8. Industrial plants, schools, hospitals and other institutions have also been affected. Assessment ongoing.

Emergency requirements

9. In order of priority:

A) Food for three months: powdered milk, cooking oil, canned meat and fish, wheat flour or wheat.

Remark: list with quantities available with DHA upon request.

B) Health sector: control of diseases affecting digestive system, leptospirosis control, control of acute respiratory diseases and pneumonias, water chlorination, vector control, disinfectants for hospital use, other biological products and materials.

Remark: request for information on quantities and specifications should be addressed to WHO/PAHO, Emergency Preparedness Programme in Washington: phone: +1/202/974 33 99, fax: 001/202/775 45 78.

C) Cleaning and sanitation materials for two to three months: domestic detergent, industrial detergent, toilet soap, washing soap, brooms.

Remark: list with quantities available with DHA upon request.

D) Construction materials (zinc roof tiles, fibrocement roof tiles, wood (boards), plain glass, mastic for glass installation, electric wire, electric lamps, fluorescent tubes, fluorescent lighters, transformers, tiles for indoor roofing, plastic tubing, telephone wires, batteries for electric power generators, materials for prevention of water leaking, electric power generators.

Remark: list with quantities and specifications available with DHA upon request.

E) Agricultural inputs: fertilizers, plaguicides, animal fodder.

10. Contributions

UN SYSTEM USD
DHA Emergency Grant 30,000
Governments
Norway Emergency Grant through DHA 50,000
Other Organizations
IFRC Disaster Relief Emergency Fund: provisionally earmarked for household items, food, housing repair, additional needs (CHF 2 million) 1,600,000

11. DHA is prepared to serve as a channel for cash contributions to be used during the immediate relief phase. Funds are spent in coordination with relevant Organizations of the UN System, and DHA provides donor governments with written confirmation on utilization of funds contributed.

12. Funds should be transferred to DHA Account No. Co. 90.160.1 at Swiss Bank Corporation, case postale 2770, CH-1211 Geneva 2 with reference: Cuba Hurricane, DHA Geneva.

13. For coordination purposes, donors are requested to inform DHA Geneva, as indicated below, of relief missions/ pledges/ contributions and their corresponding value by item.

Telephone No: +41-22-917.12.34
In case of emergency only: +41-22-917.20.10

Desk Officer:
Mr. E. Haegglund
direct tel: +41-22-917.32.99
Mr. C. Pereira
direct tel: +41-22-917.13.83

Press to contact:
Ms. M. Moulin-Acevedo
direct tel: +41-22-917.28.56
Telex: 414242 dha ch
Fax: +41-22-917.00.23
Email: dhagva @ dha.unicc.org