VZCZCXRO5231
RR RUEHQU
DE RUEHPU #1229/01 2421559
ZNR UUUUU ZZH ZDK - THIS WILL BE THE LAST ZDK - CLR LOGS
R 291559Z AUG 08
FM AMEMBASSY PORT AU PRINCE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8755
INFO RUEATRS/DEPTTREAS WASHDC
RUEHZH/HAITI COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PORT AU PRINCE 001229 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR WHA/CAR 
STATE PASS TO AID FOR LAC/CAR 
WHA/EPSC 
SANTO DOMINGO FOR FCS 
TREASURY FOR SARAH GRAY 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: AEMR ASEC CASC KFLO MARR PREL PINR AMGT EAGR EAID
ETRD, ECON, HA 
SUBJECT: MFJM01:  Impact of Hurricane Gustav on Haiti 
 
PORT AU PR 00001229  001.3 OF 002 
 
 
Gustav's Impact on Haiti 
------------------------- 
 
¶1.  Category One Hurricane Gustav hit Haiti on August 26.  The 
Government of Haiti's (GoH) Office of Civil Protection (DPC) lifted 
the hurricane alert in the early morning of August 28.  DPC figures 
indicate, as of August 28, 59 deaths, 7 missing, 25 injured, 8082 
people in shelters, 1283 homes destroyed, and 2195 homes damaged. 
The Southeast Department was the most heavily hit, with other 
departments suffering damage including the West, Grande Anse, the 
South and Nippes.  These statistics are still preliminary.  Damage 
assessment teams are still out in the field, and some of the more 
isolated areas have yet to be reached. 
 
¶2. Gustav produced approximately 6 to 12 inches of rainfall over 
parts of Haiti, particularly in the South East and West Departments. 
 Several areas experienced flooding, especially one of 
Port-au-Prince's poorest neighborhoods, Cite Soleil (located in the 
north of Port-au-Prince).  Some 4,000 residences of Cite Soleil were 
evacuated, most of them from the Bois Neuf area surrounding the 
flood plains of Riviere Grise.  The UN's Office for the Coordination 
of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that the most significant 
floods are in Jacmel, Leogane, Petit Goave, Miragoane, the Cul de 
Sac plain, and Port de Paix, resulting in isolation of some 
populations.  According to the DPC, other cities such as Grand 
Goave, Petit Goave and Jacmel had 878, 467, and 755 persons 
respectively in shelters.  OCHA reported that several roads were 
severely damaged and bridges submerged.  Hurricane Gustav caused 
extensive damage to the cropland, livestock and housing.  The road 
damage is expected to hinder the transport of goods and services in 
the southeastern part of the country, which may subsequently cause 
an increase in commodity prices in an already inflationary economy. 
OCHA is responding to several electrical repair and fuel requests. 
 
 
Government of Haiti Response 
----------------------------- 
 
¶3. The GoH, through the Ministry of Interior's Office of Civil 
Protection (DPC), has been quick to publish statistics and figures 
associated with Gustav's damage.  It has also set-up 79 emergency 
shelters in the southern part of the country.  The GoH on August 28 
lifted the 'Red Alert', reopened maritime ports and airports in 
Port-au-Prince, Jacmel, Cap Haitien, Hinche, and Port de Paix. 
However, the GoH cautioned the population to remain vigilant and not 
touch fallen electrical or telephone poles.  The DPC damage 
assessment teams are not yet able to assess accurately the damage 
due to flooding and cut-off roads.  The DPC is also working closely 
with USAID/OFDA.  They are in communication with the local Disaster 
Mitigation Committees (DMCs) and relying on them to begin the 
initial damage assessment work. 
 
USG Response 
--------------------------------- 
 
¶4. U.S. Coast Guard Seventh District provided a fixed wing aircraft 
to fly over the southeast corner peninsula of Haiti (the "Southern 
Claw") on August 28 for an aerial damage assessment, though 
lingering Gustav cloud cover limited visibility in some hard-hit 
areas such as Cotes de Fer; the information will be provided to the 
GoH (DPC) to facilitate response and recovery efforts.  Today, a 
USCG helicopter will take OFDA and DPC staff to observe 
severely-impacted and isolated areas of the South East, West, and 
Nippes Departments.  Embassy Coast Guard Liaison Office is 
developing flight plans for these missions with the help of 
information provided by US SOUTHCOM resources.  A USAID/OFDA team of 
three advisors is in-country to assist on the following: a) Gustav 
damage assessment; b) hurricane-related reporting, and, c) 
preparation of a rehabilitation response plan.  USAID/Haiti mission 
staff are involved in these tasks and all of USAID's work is 
coordinated under the GOH's Office of Civil Protection (DPC). 
 
International Community Response 
-------------------------------- 
 
¶5.  OCHA, World Food Program (WFP) and UNICEF are supporting the 
GoH's emergency relief efforts and were able to assist immediately 
3000 families.  Most of those persons in the greater Port-au-Prince 
area who sought temporary shelter from flooded areas have returned 
to their homes.  WFP confirmed that food stocks (i.e. rice, beans, 
vegetable oil) are available in Jacmel to assist 5,000 to 7,000 
families.  Pan American Health Organization/WHO has pre-positioned 
essential medications.  UNICEF is taking the lead in providing water 
and sanitation resources, tents, blankets, and hygiene and kitchen 
kits.  IOM is taking the lead on shelter and non-food items sector. 
 
PORT AU PR 00001229  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and CARITAS are monitoring the 
situation closely.  UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) 
troops are distributing food and water to flood victims, clearing 
roads for traffic and providing medical assistance. 
 
 
 
SANDERSON