· Appeal history:.
· - On 31 October 2012, 150,000 Swiss francs were allocated from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies´ (IFRC) Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) to support the Haiti Red Cross Society (HRCS) to respond to the emergency caused by Hurricane Sandy. Unearmarked funds to replenish the DREF are encouraged.
· - On 1 November 2012, a Preliminary Emergency Appeal was issued soliciting 2,162,206 Swiss francs in cash, kind, or services to support the HRCS to assist 8,000 families (40,000 beneficiaries) for nine months.
· - On 12 November 2012, an Emergency Appeal was issued and included an increase of the Appeal budget to 7,511,993 Swiss francs in cash, kind or services to support the HRCS to assist 8,000 families (40,000 beneficiaries) for 12 months, based on needs identified in assessments conducted in the affected regions. This operation will be completed by the end of October 2013.
Summary
Although not directly in the path of Hurricane Sandy, Haiti experienced three consecutive days of rainfall between 23 and 26 October 2012. This heavy precipitation caused severe flooding, damaging homes, schools and other public infrastructure. The hurricane also caused severe impact on livelihoods that already had been affected by Tropical Storm Isaac and a drought earlier this year. Cholera outbreaks were reported in some of the affected areas. Since the onset of the storm, the Haiti Red Cross Society, in collaboration with Partner National Societies (PNS) and the IFRC, activated its contingency plan. Evacuation and distribution measures were taken and Emergency Response Teams (ERT) were deployed throughout the country for rapid situation assessments.
Alongside its response activities, the HRCS and its counterparts have also been working actively on a recovery and rehabilitation response plan. The International Federation activated the Field Assessment and Coordination Team (FACT) and Regional Intervention Team (RIT) system to provide expertise in the areas of relief, food security, logistics, water and sanitation. The FACT supported the HRCS to develop operational response to Hurricane Sandy, translated into a comprehensive Plan of Action that is currently in the process of approval. A second FACT team will be taking over in early December to support the HRCS with the implementation of this operation following the passage of Hurricane Sandy during the recruitment process for an operational team of delegates and national staff.