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FM AMEMBASSY PORT AU PRINCE
TO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 0094
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0308
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA IMMEDIATE
INFO HAITI COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RHMFISS/HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL IMMEDIATE
RHMFISS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEHDG/AMEMBASSY SANTO DOMINGO IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEHPU/AMEMBASSY PORT AU PRINCE

UNCLAS PORT AU PRINCE 000124 
 
AIDAC 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAID ECON PGOV PINR PREL PREF HA
SUBJECT: HAITI EARTHQUAKE USAID/DART HUMANITARIAN UPDATE #4 
 
REF: PORT A 0054; PORT A 0058; PORT A 0096; PORT A 0100; PORT A 0114 
PORT A 0118 
 
¶1.  Summary.  The current international humanitarian response to 
the earthquake in Haiti is characterized by a marked improvement in 
coordination and assistance delivery over the last week, with 
agencies expanding and expediting distributions of food and 
non-food items (NFIs), and U.N. cluster partners assessing needs in 
the range of humanitarian sectors and developing strategies for 
assistance provision in all affected areas.  Food distributions 
under the new fixed-point system have reached 459,672 people since 
January 31, bringing total food beneficiaries since the earthquake 
to nearly 1.1 million, and the Shelter and NFI Cluster has provided 
shelter material to approximately 350,000 people. 
 
 
 
¶2.  USAID's Disaster Assistance Response Team (USAID/DART) in Haiti 
continues to assess humanitarian needs, coordinate assistance with 
the humanitarian community and Government of Haiti (GoH), and 
inform additional programming by USAID's Office of U.S. Foreign 
Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA).  The current USAID/DART strategy 
emphasizes a shelter and settlements approach supported by 
integrated water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), livelihoods, 
health, and nutrition interventions for specific targeted 
geographic areas.  To date, USAID has contributed nearly $296 
million in earthquake response funding to address the critical 
needs of affected populations.  End Summary. 
 
 
 
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Post-Disaster Needs Assessment 
 
------------------------------ 
 
 
 
¶3.  From January 25 to February 2, U.N. interagency teams, led by 
the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs 
(OCHA), conducted a nationwide rapid, multi-sectoral needs 
assessment to inform the 12-month revised U.N. Flash Appeal for the 
Haiti earthquake response. Scheduled for release the week of 
February 15, the appeal will address current needs and 
reconstruction plans, with a focus on preparing for the hurricane 
season, which begins June 1.  The U.N. will update the needs 
assessment monthly. 
 
 
 
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FOOD ASSISTANCE 
 
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¶4.  From January 31 to February 3, lead non-governmental 
organizations (NGOs), with support from the U.N. World Food Program 
(WFP), distributed food to 459,672 people through the 16-point 
distribution system.  As of February 3, WFP implementing partners 
had provided food assistance to nearly 1.1 million 
earthquake-affected individuals in and around Port-au-Prince. 
[Note:  Reftel 0118 provides an overview of the food distribution 
system.  End Note.] 
 
 
 
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SHELTER 
 
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¶5.  As the humanitarian community continues to meet the emergency 
food needs of the affected population, agencies are turning to a 
parallel priority:  meeting emergency shelter needs and 
accommodating displaced persons in safe and well-serviced temporary 
settlement sites, with a view to sustainability as individuals 
eventually seek to rebuild damaged houses or find alternative 
permanent solutions.  Initially, relief agencies will be focused on 
providing plastic sheeting that meets internationally-recognized 
humanitarian specifications to support the emergency shelter needs 
of displaced persons through the rainy season.  The cluster is also 
looking to distribute shelter materials in tandem with food 
distributions. 
 
 
 
¶6.  The multi-pronged strategy developed by the Shelter Cluster 
also directs immediate assistance to host families to prevent 
resource strain, as well as to households currently engaged in 
shelter self-recovery, a widespread phenomenon observed by the 
USAID/DART during field visits throughout Port-au-Prince. 
 
 
 
¶7.  The January 12 earthquake displaced between 240,000 and 300,000 
households. Since the earthquake struck, approximately 100,000 
households (or nearly 500,000 individuals) have received 
transportation assistance to communities outside Port-au-Prince. 
According to the U.N. Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), 90 
percent of people transported outside Port-au-Prince to South, 
Grand Anse, Nippes, and Central Plateau departments are residing 
with friends and relatives.  Of the 140,000 to 200,000 families 
remaining in affected areas without adequate shelter, approximately 
70,000 (or 350,000 people) have received shelter materials from the 
Emergency Shelter Cluster, according to the USAID/DART.  Only ten 
days earlier, the cluster had available shelter material for only 
5,000 families. 
 
 
 
¶8.  The USAID/DART estimates the total amount of shelter material 
in-country or in the pipeline, including both tents and plastic 
sheeting, is adequate to provide basic shelter to 260,000 
households.  Pipeline contents include an additional 10,000 rolls 
of USAID/OFDA plastic sheeting, scheduled for delivery on a rolling 
basis over the next three to four weeks, with the first shipment of 
800 rolls scheduled to arrive on February 4. 
 
 
 
¶9.  According to Shelter and NFI Cluster lead the International 
Organization for Migration (IOM), approximately 3,500 people are 
expected to imminently move into the first organized settlement in 
the Tabarre neighborhood of Port-au-Prince.  An additional four 
organized settlement sites in Port-au-Prince have been selected for 
establishment. 
 
 
 
¶10.  The cluster, the USAID/DART, and the GoH continue to evaluate 
potential locations for additional settlement sites.  USAID/DART 
staff highlight that rubble removal is critical to expanding 
available land to accommodate displaced persons and to facilitate 
reconstruction efforts.  Initial estimates identify as much as 20 
million cubic yards of rubble in need of removal from the capital. 
 
 
 
 
¶11.  On February 2, the USAID/DART shelter and settlements advisor 
met with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) staff to discuss a 
plan for managing rubble and debris removal, salvaging, processing, 
and disposal in Port-au-Prince.  USAID/Haiti and USACE will take 
the lead on implementing a debris-clearing project under the U.N. 
Flash Appeal.  In addition, USAID/OFDA, USAID/Haiti, and USAID's 
Office of Transition Initiatives (USAID/OTI) will support 
cash-for-work debris removal activities through implementing 
partners.  A number of USAID/Haiti and USAID/OTI programs have 
already commenced, employing more than 6,000 people in 
Port-au-Prince and Petit Goave as of February 3.  [Note:  Reftel 
Port A 0100 details the USAID/DART shelter strategy.  End Note.] 
 
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Logistics and Emergency Relief Supplies 
 
--------------------------------------- 
 
 
 
¶12.  OCHA reports that between 120 and 150 planes continue to 
utilize the Port-au-Prince airport daily, with flights divided 
between civilian humanitarian and U.S. military flights. 
USAID/DART staff report new security measures 
 
at the airport as of February 2, including restricted access and 
designated entrance gates.  In addition, OCHA reports that 
procedures for identification validation and escorts will take 
effect in the coming days. 
 
 
 
¶13.  The Joint Operations and Tasking Center (JOTC), the new 
structure launched by MINUSTAH to coordinate relief activities, 
including security support for humanitarian organizations, is 
operating smoothly, according to the U.N.  The U.S. and Canadian 
militaries, as well as OCHA, participate in the operations system, 
in addition to MINUSTAH military and civilian staff. 
 
 
 
¶14.  As part of efforts to expedite and expand relief supply 
distributions, the Shelter and NFI Cluster has instituted a new 
timeline of 72 hours for international NGOs to retrieve NFIs from 
the airport or warehouses.  Previously, NGOs requested and reserved 
NFIs but failed to pick up items, causing significant system 
delays.  In addition, the cluster continues to reach out to the 
local NGO community, and both IOM and the USAID/DART have 
identified focal points for local NGOs at the U.N. logistics base. 
In some areas, local NGOs continue to form consortiums and assign 
lead agencies. 
 
 
 
¶15.  On February 2, IOM reported that aid agencies have distributed 
or are planning to imminently distribute more than 53,000 plastic 
sheets and tarpaulins, more than 9,000 family tents, and 126,000 
water containers, as well as hygiene kits, ropes, family toolkits, 
mosquito nets, and kitchen sets.  At present, IOM reports that more 
than 55 aid agencies are working to reach more than 1 million 
earthquake-affected individuals with emergency shelter and relief 
supplies. 
 
 
 
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WATER, SANITATION, AND HYGIENE 
 
------------------------------ 
 
 
 
¶16.  By February 1, the WASH Cluster was distributing water to an 
estimated 519,000 individuals per day in Port-au-Prince, Leogane, 
and Jacmel, an increase from the 464,000 individuals reached as of 
January 29. Agencies continue to distribute bottled water to 
hospitals, clinics, and orphanages.  According to Save the 
Children, although water continues to be reported as an urgent need 
in some areas of Jacmel, many of the pre-existing water sources 
remain accessible. 
 
 
 
¶17.  On January 30, the GoH National Direction for Potable Water 
and Sanitation (DINEPA) signaled a plan to transition away from 
water tankering and toward increasing on-site water access, 
including through boreholes in low-lying areas and water storage 
and disinfection support. 
 
 
 
¶18.  With safe drinking water needs largely met, the WASH Cluster 
 
has shifted to prioritizing increased sanitation support for 
earthquake-affected individuals, noting that an estimated 7,000 
latrines are required in the near term. Partners working in 
Port-au-Prince, Leogane, and Jacmel have agreed to a distribution 
plan for 1,169 latrine slabs, and relief agencies have constructed 
or are in the process of constructing approximately 292 latrines to 
benefit 29,200 people.  According to the USAID/DART WASH officer, 
despite a significant supply of latrine slabs, partners report slow 
latrine construction due to shortages of supporting materials and 
inadequate disposal options. 
 
 
 
¶19.  The WASH cluster is considering various sanitation options for 
the densely populated settlements in Port-au-Prince, including 
locally produced portable toilets currently available in limited 
quantities.  The cluster is reviewing a proposal from a private 
company in the U.S. to work with local companies to purchase U.S. 
equipment and trucks and manage the collection and disposal of 
wastes in high-density settlements. 
 
 
 
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HEALTH 
 
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¶20.  With hospitals and the USNS COMFORT continuing to treat 
traumatic injuries and perform surgeries, the Health Cluster and 
its partners have begun to prioritize post-operative care and 
assistance to disabled persons, as well as primary health care 
provision for displaced persons through the deployment of mobile 
health clinics and support to fixed health care sites.  The Health 
Cluster has also highlighted the need for the provision of medical 
services in areas outside Port-au-Prince. 
 
 
 
¶21.  Since January 29, the USAID/DART health officer has visited a 
number of mobile clinic sites in Carrefour, Gressier, and 
Port-au-Prince, noting adequate medical supplies but insufficient 
medical staff to address current needs.  Most clinics treat between 
100 and 200 people per day.  The health officer confirmed the 
significant decrease in trauma cases, but reported growing numbers 
of respiratory infections and cases of diarrhea. 
 
 
 
¶22.  In order to meet post-operative needs, while creating more 
space for untreated patients on the USNS COMFORT, USAID/OFDA is 
funding a federal medical station (FMS) from the U.S. Centers for 
Disease Control (CDC), valued at $570,000.  Each FMS provides beds, 
supplies, and medicines for 250 patients.  The FMS will be 
operational on February 5.  USAID/OFDA has also funded the U.N. 
World Health Organization to provide nine emergency health kits to 
help treat 90,000 people over a period of three months.  Five kits 
have been dispatched to implementing partners in affected areas and 
four are scheduled to arrive February 4.  In support of infectious 
disease prevention and response, USAID/OFDA is also providing 
laboratory supplies and equipment, valued at $240,000, to the GoH 
Ministry of Health's National Laboratory to help rehabilitate its 
capacity to conduct clinical surveillance.  The CDC will provide 
technical assistance for the project. 
 
 
 
¶23.  The USAID/DART nutrition officer continues to help inform 
additional USAID/OFDA support for nutrition interventions by 
monitoring malnutrition rates and feeding programs and liaising 
with the nutrition cluster and partners. Reftel PORT A 0114. 
 
 
 
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USAR TEAM AND USAID/OFDA DONATIONS 
 
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¶24.  The USAID/DART and members of U.S. Urban Search and Rescue 
(USAR) teams continue to coordinate the distribution of 
USAID/OFDA-funded supplies used during the search and rescue phase 
to orphanages and health facilities in Port-au-Prince.  To date, 
donations to five hospitals, one clinic, and six orphanages include 
seven 20-foot diameter tents; three 19x35-foot tents; seven 
generators; 130 sleeping bags; 100 sleeping bags, and 30 cots. 
 
 
 
------------------------ 
 
USAID ASSISTANCE TO DATE 
 
------------------------ 
 
 
 
¶25.  As of February 3, USAID had contributed nearly $295.8 million 
in earthquake response funding, including more than $195.7 million 
from USAID/OFDA, $68 million from USAID's Office of Food for Peace, 
$20 million from USAID/OTI (including $15 million transferred from 
USAID/Haiti), nearly $11.1 million from USAID/Haiti, and $1 million 
from USAID/Dominican Republic.  On February 3, USAID/OFDA provided 
nearly $7 million in additional funding to NGO partners Relief 
International and the Agency for Technical Cooperation and 
Development (ACTED) to support economic recovery and market 
systems, shelter and settlements, health, WASH activities, 
humanitarian logistics, and NFI provision.  In total, the U.S. 
Government has contributed more than $464 million in earthquake 
response funding for Haiti to date. 
 
 
 
MINIMIZE CONSIDERED 
MERTEN