Latest CDERA report on Grenada

Thursday, September 9, 2004

ST MICHAEL, Barbados: The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency (CDERA) issued a report at 10 pm Wednesday, a day after Hurricane Ivan a Category 3 system with sustained winds of 115mph impacted Grenada leaving a trail of damage.

All utilities were knocked out but limited communication has been restored with the Emergency Operation Centre (EOC). Hurricane Ivan has cleared the island and is now headed towards Jamaica where a hurricane watch is in effect. Weather conditions in Grenada are now normal.

A CDERA team is on the ground in Grenada providing support to the stressed Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) personnel and confirming priority needs.

Representatives from USAIDs Office for Foreign Disaster Assistance and the Pan American Health Organisation are also on the ground.

A Rapid Needs Assessment Team (RNAT) comprising multi-discipline specialist from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), the Office for Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA), International Federation of the Red Cross, UNICEF, UNIFEM, PAHO, Environmental Unit of the OECS, and CARILEC. The Caribbean Disaster Response Unit (CDRU) and CARILEC are deploying restoration teams Thursday and Friday.

A vessel with relief supplies from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) of Trinidad and Tobago leaves Thursday for Grenada. NEMA is the CDERA sub-regional focal point with responsibility for Grenada.

Four people are confirmed dead. CDERA has requested the names of the dead under confidential cover so that it may provide negative responses to the hundreds of calls that it has been receiving from the Grenadian Disaspora around the world.

Sixty people are hospitalized with injuries. The British naval vessel HMS Richmond is assisting the Grenada Broadcasting Network with establishing an emergency transmitter so that the Government may communicate with the people. They also restored power to the Grenada General Hospital and restocked it with medical supplies from its own stores.

Nine of every ten buildings are damaged or destroyed. Virtually every school and church in the Capital St Georges as well as the police headquarters has been destroyed. The only two buildings in reasonable condition are the Grenada General Hospital and Government Headquarters.

There is no water, no electricity and very limited cell phone coverage. Only some cell towers are functional.

Security situation is grave and the Regional Security System has deployed security personnel. All prisoners are on the loose. Coast Guard has no search and rescue facilities.

EOC communication was re-established with the assistance of Grenadian amateur radio operators.

The habour is open though a 300-foot vessel is lodged there. The airport runway has been cleared but the control tower is not yet functional.

CDERA has been receiving numerous calls from around the world on the health and welfare of residents and visitors to Grenada.

According to a preliminary needs assessment:

1. EOC operations require urgent strengthening

2. A distribution mechanism needs to be put in place to handle relief supplies

3. Tents, cots, food, water, roofing material urgently required

4. Law and order needs to be maintained

5. Customs and immigration needs to be re-established at ports of entry

6. Air Traffic Control need to be re-established

The Caribbean Disaster Response Unit is being deployed. Advance contingent arrived on island Wednesday. The Regional Security System has deployed security personnel and is providing another contingent to assist with internal security. Trinidad and Tobago, the CDERA sub-regional focal point for Grenada is mobilizing a vessel to deploy relief supplies Thursday. CARILEC restoration crews are being deployed.

The Emergency Assistance Funds operated by CDERA, CDB, FirstCaribbean International Bank have been activated.

CDERA is opening an appeal account at FirstCaribbean International at their 80 branches in 20 countries in the Caribbean to support deployment of the response teams. CDERA is coordinating with the International Federation of the Red Cross information on the health and welfare of residents and visitors to Grenada.

  Back...

  Most popular articles: viewed, printed and e-mailed

  Printable version