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San Juan, Puerto Rico

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Most powerful hurricane to hit Central America in two centuries ... Hurricane developed as tropical storm then CAT V, stalled for two days prior to ... – PowerPoint PPT presentation

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Title: San Juan, Puerto Rico


1
Lessons Learned, Hurricane Mitch
San Juan, Puerto Rico May 23-28, 2000
2
Hurricane Mitch
  • Most powerful hurricane to hit Central America in
    two centuries
  • Overwhelmed disaster management structures, at
    national, regional and international due to
    geographic impact
  • Unprecedented levels of destruction, 3.5 Billion
  • Thousands of shattered lives two million
    displaced
  • Four countries seriously affected by the
    phenomenon extreme poverty, environmental
    degradation and poor disaster response resources

3
Hurricane Mitch
  • The Setting
  • Hurricane developed as tropical storm then CAT V,
    stalled for two days prior to landfall--4.5 feet
    of rain
  • Impacted impoverished and debt-ridden countries
  • Some recently emerged from prolonged conflict
  • Death toll, homes destroyed, agriculture, health
    infrastructure, schools, highways, bridges, water
    and sewage was all on an unprecedented scale
  • Human interventions lie at the root of much of
    the damage farmers and urban population without
    access to adequate land or credit and technical
    assistance, homes in high-risk areas,
    deforestation, inappropriate farming practices

4
Hurricane Mitch
  • Initial Response
  • Not well prepared disaster management structures
    or plans to address the effects of a major
    disaster, despite the recurrence of major
    disaster history in the region
  • Sporadic information sharing amongst the affected
    countries, communities and internal
    communications breaks
  • As the event unfolded, respective governments
    were establishing national emergency structures
  • Health sector was better prepared--PAHO

5
Hurricane Mitch
  • Relief Effort
  • Local authorities, churches, NGOs, and civil
    defense mobilized
  • National, regional and international assistance
    was generous and massive, but cumbersome and
    sometimes not coordinated
  • Aid received monitored closely--receiving,
    storage, registry and distribution by affected
    nation w/SUMA
  • Over 40 countries provided relief
    support--equipment, personnel, goods or debt
    forgiveness

6
OFDA Funded DoD Air Assets
  • La Ceiba--FOB
  • 4 x UH-60s
  • JTF Bravo(Soto Cano)
  • 5 x UH- 60s
  • 2 x MH-60s
  • 4 x CH -47s
  • 2 x C-27s
  • 2 x C-130

San Pedro Sula
La Ceiiba
GUATEMALA
HONDURAS
  • Guatemala City
  • 6 x UH-60s

EL SALVADOR
NICARAGUA
  • JTF-Aguila (Comalapa)
  • 6 x MH/UH-60s
  • 10 x CH-47s (or equivalent)
  • Managua
  • 5 x UH-60s
  • 1 x CH-47

COSTA RICA
PANAMA
Snap Shot of DART OPS During Hurricane Mitch
10 Nov 98
DoD provided approximately 60 of airlift
required in the region other forces provided the
remaining 40.
7
Summary of U.S. AssistanceDuring Hurricane Mitch
  • USAID/OFDA 30 million
  • USAID/Food for Peace (FFP) 52 million
  • Department of Defense (DOD) 150 million
  • U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 63
    million
  • Development/Micro-credit assistance 5 million
  • Rolls of Plastic Sheeting 1,434
  • Water Bladders 39
  • Water Jugs 53,850
  • Blankets 22,150
  • Body Bags 1,004
  • Food 60,000 Metric Tons

Total USG 300 Million
8
Hurricane Mitchlessons learned
  • Emergency Operations systems did not function
  • -Governments were developing as situation
    unfolded-political change, changed DM
    organization
  • -Existing organizations focused efforts on
    preparedness and response, need to include
    prevention and mitigation
  • Lack of coordination/exercising of national
    emergency plans

9
Hurricane Mitchlessons learned
  • Civilian groups marginalized by military who have
    the resources
  • Coordination efforts centralized in capitol
    cities
  • Disaster management trained personnel were not
    available or unable to execute what training
    known

10
Hurricane Mitchlessons learned
  • Better communications required with outlying
    areas for assessment and reporting
  • Countries overwhelmed with international
    assistance-not coordinated
  • Early warning is critical at the local, national,
    and international level
  • Communications and plans need to be known by
    community leaders--communications and plans have
    to be horizontal versus vertical

11
Hurricane Mitchlessons learned
  • Disaster Preparedness and Planning needs to
    involve all communities
  • comprehensive training programs at all levels
  • community awareness
  • information management communication media
  • should be aware of their influence PIO keeping
    media informed to avoid confusion, and erroneous
    reports
  • create a culture of disaster preparedness and
    mitigation create awareness for all sectors

12
Hurricane Mitchlessons learned
  • Governments and local authorities must ensure
    that the international donor communitys response
    is based on reliable and verified needs
    assessment
  • Information sharing through relief networks
  • Humanitarian Operations Center needs to be
    established to coordinate efforts with NGOs, and
    other international organizations
  • Coordination of efforts between National, local,
    regional and international organizations

13
Hurricane Mitchlessons learned
  • Social Vulnerability, assignment of funds for
    sustainable living conditions and
    health/education

14
Hurricane Mitchlessons learned
  • Reforestation of areas and legislation on sites
    for construction

15
Hurricane Mitchlessons learned
  • Strengthen Central American integration through
    existing institutions such as CEPREDENAC and
    SICA-looking at regional management of
    water and other natural resources, address
    shared problems

16
Venezuelas Floodslessons learned
  • Lessons learned from Hurricane Mitch in Central
    America indicate that many of the NEMOs were
    unable to assist as trained during the last 10-15
    yrs.
  • The same lessons were learned during the December
    1999 floods in Venezuela
  • In most of these events, the military was
    directed to assume duties of the operating NEMOs
  • Innovative institutional systems are needed to
    enhance NEMO self sufficiency and military
    support to civil authorities during disasters

17
Preparedness and Planning of Foreign Regions in
the Americas
  • All countries affected by Mitch have passed
    legislation creating civil sector agencies for
    natural disaster and emergency response--CEPREDENA
    C
  • Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA)
    pro-active with DART, Preparedness/Planning
    training, initial assistance to affected country
  • USSOUTHCOM Regional Disaster Response Seminars
    and Training Exercises
  • CDERA, CEPREDENAC and PAHO

18
Preparedness and Planning of Foreign Regions in
the Americas
  • Central American Disaster Mitigation
    Initiative-OFDA/USAID
  • Academic Curriculum design/development in DM/HA
  • Scientific research on topics related to DM/HA
  • Collaboration of organizations in region
  • Health sector Psycho-social aspects
  • Private sector involvement

19
Gracias!
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