Summary
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- On 6th September OCHA reported that:
1. Hanna claimed the lives of almost 500 people in Gonaives. Some 250,000 people are affected. The needs are for fuel, food and water.
2. A Flash Appeal is being prepared. Global cluster support is requested for Logistics, Early Recovery, Shelter/Non-food Items and Water and Sanitation.
3. Hurricane "Ike" has been upgraded to a Category 3 hurricane and is threatening the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos and Eastern Cuba. "Ike" will also affect Hispaniola and concern is mounting in Haiti.
4. The three most affected regions - from more to less intensity - are Gonaives, the department of South-east and the department of Nippes.
5. In Gonaives, humanitarian assistance - particularly food and water - has started reaching parts of affected population
6. On 6 September, estimates are that almost 500 people have died as a result of tropical storm "Hanna", with the highest toll in Gonaives/ Artibonite.
7. Security remains a concern given the extreme frustration of the affected population.
8. The provision of assistance is further complicated by the movement of population from Gonaives to surrounding areas (mostly in the direction of St. Marc)
- On 6th September UNICEF reported that they mobilised over US$ 1 million to respond to the immediate needs of those affected, and a Flash Appeal for funds to aid in the response will be launched in the coming days by all UN agencies in Haiti.
- On 7th September the British Red Cross reported that Some roads are now passable and the Red Cross has been able to distribute aid and carry out initial assessments in the area, but any further rains in the wake of Hurricane Ike could seriously affect access to the region.
- On 8th September World Vision reported that access to flooded areas remains critical challenge. Flooding emergency comes on top of ongoing food crisis caused by higher global prices.
- In the devastated city of Gonaive, 10,000 people are crammed into 115 shelters. Flying into the cut off areas will be difficult as it's believed that all but one of the runways in the northwest are flooded. Helicopters are needed but few are available in Haiti.