Hurricanes Irma and Maria - Emergency Food Support - World Food Programme 2017

September 2017 – Category 5 hurricane Irma hit the Caribbean and south-eastern United States between September 6 and 14. It was the largest storm ever to make landfall in the Atlantic. Hurricane Maria also a category 5 storm followed closely between September 18 and 26. The two hurricanes caused widespread damage flooding and displacement throughout the Caribbean region. A number of countries including Cuba and Dominica suffered significant devastation including damage to power and water supply lines agriculture telecommunications and infrastructure such as health centres bridges and roadways. With GAC's support the World Food Programme (WFP) is providing emergency food assistance to meet immediate needs of hurricane-affected people in Cuba and Dominica including vulnerable groups (children under 5 pregnant and lactating women and elderly people) and children in primary school. In Dominica additional support includes: (1) emergency telecommunication services to assist in the humanitarian response; (2) the setup of coordination and logistic hubs for additional storage cargo reception and dispatch facilities; and (3) humanitarian air services and strategic airlift.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) improved access to food for hurricane-affected people including vulnerable groups (children under 5 pregnant and lactating women and elderly people) and children in primary school; and (2) improved ability of humanitarian agencies to respond quickly and effectively to humanitarian needs. The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained in countries experiencing humanitarian crises or acute food insecurity.