World Vision Hurricane Irma & Maria Relief

Hurricanes Irma and Maria devastated multiple islands in the Caribbean in September. 

Hurricane Irma, a 400-mile-wide storm, the second most powerful Atlantic hurricane recorded in history, made landfall in the United States on September 10 as a Category 4 hurricane. The storm created flooding, destroyed homes, left 5.6 million people without power in Florida, and claimed the lives of 73 people in the Caribbean and the United States.

WORLD VISION’S RESPONSE
World Vision is responding to the needs of the most vulnerable families in the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Florida.

In Florida, our immediate response sent prepositioned emergency relief supplies to community partners in Southwest Florida and the Keys. Community partners and World Vision staff distributed much needed supplies, such as; water, food, bedding, hygiene kits, tarps, tents, sleeping bags and generators. In addition, we are using cash-based  programming to assist migrant farm workers, Haitian immigrants, and local residents who were deemed most vulnerable. Nearly 400 families in the towns of Immokalee and Mulberry received much needed assistance in the form of gift cards. The cards provide each family with an opportunity to purchase items such as food, clothing, and other household supplies that are specific to their family’s needs. Each family was required to register through a partner organization to receive a card for tracking and verification purposes.

World Vision staff in Haiti and the Dominican Republic are responding to damage in their countries and are grateful their countries weren’t hit as hard as expected. Food packets, water, and other essential supplies have been distributed to those affected.

On September 20, Hurricane Maria made landfall in Puerto Rico with sustained winds of 155 mph. This was the third Category 4 hurricane to strike the U.S. in a matter of weeks, resulting in an incredible strain on the capacity of  governments and NGOs to respond. As the strongest storm to strike Puerto Rico in more than 80 years, Maria caused widespread devastation and left millions of people across the country without power. Many people are still living in shelters and most are quickly running out of supplies.

With fuel shortages, damaged roadways, and flattened communication networks, local relief organizations have faced significant challenges in responding to people’s needs. Home to 3.4 million people, Puerto Rico is in urgent need of emergency assistance.

WORLD VISION’S RESPONSE
World Vision is responding to the needs of the most vulnerable families through our partnerships with local churches. With our expertise in disaster relief, and churches’ deep understanding of their communities, we aim to reach those whose homes were destroyed, families living in shelters, and vulnerable people living in rural, hard-to-reach areas who are not receiving any aid.

• Last week (November 11-17), beneficiaries reached 6,148 households (18,444 individuals).
• Total beneficiaries reached since the beginning of the response are 19,260 households (57,780 individuals).
• Utuado: Distributed FEMA sandwiches and water in Utuado in various barrios and sectors. This concludes the distribution of these items. WV has now initiated distribution of FEMA weekly grocery boxes. Distributed NFIs (including hygiene kits, toys, and diapers as needed) to vulnerable families in Caonillas barrio.
• Orocovis/Morovis: Provided water purification aquatabs. Visited planned site for Child Friendly Space with Boys & Girls Club of Puerto Rico, who will implement the CFS. Conducted cash transfer operations in Orocovis for 299 vulnerable households in Orocovis and Morovis.
• Juncos: Visited planned site for Child Friendly Space with Boys & Girls Club of Puerto Rico, who will implement the CFS. Provided Non-Food Items (Hope Hygiene Kits, other NFIs), conducted water filtration training, and conducted cash transfer training and pre-registration.
• World Vision continues to respond in the municipalities of Utuado, Orocovis, Morovis, Juncos, and Patillas.
• As WV wraps up its response, it plans to build local capacity in Disaster Risk Reduction to ensure local resilience and recovery. WV also plans to continue to reach local communities with cash support, and to establish child friendly and family friendly spaces where children can recovery, play, and learn.
• Response timeframe: 29 September 2017 – 31 January 2018