IOM and its partners are assisting in the provision of relief
assistance to populations affected by flash floods triggered by
tropical storm Noel and torrential rains that hit Haiti throughout
the month of October.

At least 66 persons were killed, an estimated 2,801 homes
completely destroyed and above 12,000 damaged.  More than
14,000 families have been directly affected by the flash floods and
continue to need assistance.

IOM this year has taken a leading role in the coordination and
provision of shelter support during disasters and to date has
assisted flood-affected victims in Gonaives, Cabaret and the West
region with non-food items, including blankets, towels, diapers,
bath and laundry soap, and toilet paper. 

With recent funding of USD100,000 received from the United
States Agency for International Development, Office of US Foreign
Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA), IOM has identified 900 affected
families located in the Commune of Cite Soleil or displaced to
other parts of Port-au-Prince and who are being provided with
hygiene and kitchen kits. 

With support from the United Nations' Central Emergency Response
Fund (CERF), IOM is also conducting renovation work to improve
temporary shelter infrastructure which suffered heavy damage in the
South region following hurricane Dean. Work is scheduled to finish
by the end of December.

As this year's hurricane season draws to a close, it is expected
that shelter and emergency response capacity needs will continue to
increase in Haiti whose vulnerability to climate change and natural
disasters is acute. 

For more information, please contact:

Judy Dacruz

IOM Port-au Prince

Tel: +509.244.1218

E-mail: "mailto:jdacruz@iom.int">jdacruz@iom.int