September 1, 2010

Source: United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

The Government now reports that over 18 million people have been affected by the floods. The death toll stands at 1,667. Over 1.2 million houses have been damaged or destroyed. Floodwaters are receding in many areas, and though there are concerns about standing water that remains in Punjab and other areas, the worst of the current flooding is taking place in Sindh.

Two areas in Sindh have been affected by major flooding since the last situation report. On Monday floodwaters entered Gaji Khuhwar, a town of 40,000 people in Warah tehsil, Qamber Shahdadkot district. Efforts to divert floodwaters from Warah town are ongoing. New flooding was also reported from Mehar and Khairpur Nathan Shah tehsils in neighbouring Dadu district. Dadu and Johi towns are under threat as floodwaters continue to move southwards through Hamal Lake. Flooding in this area has extended west and south from the Indus since an embankment was breached over two weeks ago, inundating Jacobabad and parts of Jaffarabad and Nasirabad districts in the neighboring province of Balochistan.

Further south, in Thatta district, almost 1,300 km2 of land are reported to have been flooded in recent days following a breach near Surjani last week, displacing more than half a million people. An estimated 400,000 people are believed to have moved to higher ground on the outskirts of Makli, near Thatta town, and along the Karachi-Hyderabad highway. Others have moved towards Golarchi in Badin district, to the east of Thatta. Floodwaters are now threatening the towns of Jati and Chohar Jamali, near the coast to the east of the Indus. Parts of the highway between Thatta and Badin has been submerged.

Education

The cluster reports that 180 schools have been damaged in FATA (mainly in Frontier Region D.I. Khan). The total number of flood-damaged schools in the country stands at 9,484. There is a need to provide temporary school structures as well as school supplies such as tents, school-in-a-box kits and recreation kits for fully damaged schools to ensure continuation of education during the transition period from tents to permanent buildings. Government schools in Punjab are due to reopen 14 September.

Health

Latest figures show that more than 436 health facilities in affected areas have been damaged or destroyed. The cluster needs to prevent emerging health threats and outbreaks through fast, timely, effective and coordinated joint health interventions. There is also a need to ensure that requested medical supplies reach affected communities in time. Increased numbers of suspected malaria cases are being recorded in Sindh and Balochistan provinces.

Nutrition

Children under five make up approximately 14% of the affected population, while 8% are pregnant and lactating women. At least 6% are elderly or otherwise vulnerable. The cluster’s priorities for rapid nutrition assistance at this point are children under five and PLW. There is also a need to establish community-level acute malnutrition programmes in affected areas. Key messages on infant and young child feeding and hygiene also need to be disseminated in the affected areas.

Shelter

The latest figures show 1.25 million houses have been damaged or destroyed. There are major needs for emergency shelter in all affected provinces, but in particular in Sindh and Punjab, where coverage is 3% and 5% respectively. Though more organisations are scaling up their responses in Punjab and Sindh, ongoing flooding in Thatta district in southern Sindh is expected to stretch resources even further. Movement of people back to their homes in areas where waters are receding means that relief and early recovery responses will need to be carried out in parallel. Some relief camps are being closed in southern Punjab (as of 31 August, 3 of the initial 11 camps managed by the army have been closed; of the 214 other sites, there have so far been no reports of closure).

Updated map of flooded areas (click on map to enlarge):

OPERATION USA RESPONDS TO SOUTH ASIA FLOOD DISASTER

LOS ANGELES, CA (August 3, 2010)—Los Angeles-based International relief agency, Operation USA announced that will provide disaster relief assistance in response to unusually heavy monsoonal flooding in a wide region of northwest Pakistan and northeast Afghanistan. Many of the areas which were devastated by the 2005 Kashmir Earthquake have been impacted. Operation USA has developed a network of local partner agencies and is limiting its assistance to areas already familiar to it.

Through a well-developed network of local partner agencies, Operation USA is working to provide critical medical aid, water purification tablets and shelter relief to those made most vulnerable by the devastation, with an emphasis on the needs of women and children. The floods have ravaged the lives and livelihoods of millions and the impact of this disaster will be felt for months to come. Operation USA will additionally focus long-term recovery efforts on rebuilding the already tenuous education capacity for girls.

The agency is appealing to the public for funds—and to companies for bulk disaster materials including water purification chemicals, shelter supplies, electric generators, medicines and medical equipment.

HOW TO HELP:
Donate online at www.opusa.org, by phone at 1.800.678.7255 or, by check made out to Operation USA, 3617 Hayden Ave, Suite A, Culver City, CA 90232. Text REBUILD to 50555 to donate $10 to relief efforts.

About Operation USA
Operation USA is an international relief agency that helps communities at home and abroad overcome the effects of disasters, disease and endemic poverty by providing privately-funded relief, reconstruction and development aid. Since 1979, the Los Angeles-based Operation USA has worked in 99 countries, delivering over $350 million for relief and development projects.

Learn more and make secure donations at www.opusa.org.

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Media Contact:
Alison Deknatel, Director of Communications, Operation USA
310.838.3455 or adeknatel@opusa.org

Richard Walden, President and CEO, Operation USA
310.838.3455 or rwalden@opusa.org

The Children’s Bureau of New Orleans (CBNO) was founded in 1892 to provide specialized programs for children and families in the greater New Orleans area, with an emphasis on mental health, child welfare and advocacy. The devastation wrought by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita was particularly acute for the children of New Orleans. CBNO has been a local leader in providing mental health care for children and families in low socio-economic status with pre-existing problems that were exacerbated by the devastation.

The largest project to be undertaken is the rebuilding of the public school, Ecole Nationale Jacob Martin Henriquez.

Operation USA is partnering with Honeywell Hometown Solutions, the philanthropic organization of Honeywell Corporation, to reconstruct this primary school that will serve over 400 students (K-7) who couldn’t otherwise afford to go to school.

This project is being built in partnership with the City of Jacmel, with the support of its exceptional Mayor, Edwin Zenny—a nationally known anti-corruption figure and committed activist for Jacmel’s future.

Press Releases
Gensler Donates Design for Haiti School
Operation USA and Honeywell Break Ground on New School in Jacmel, Haiti

OpUSA has partnered with LA-based Artists for Peace & Justice to support Father Rick’s lifesaving work. Initial response includes the purchase of $140,000 worth of food and cooking utensils.

Future projects will include help to rebuild neighborhood schools of varying sizes depending on population resettlement.

EN VISTA DEL RECIENTE TERREMOTO DE 8.8 GRADOS
OPERACION USA MANDARA AYUDA DE EMERGENCIA A CHILE

LOS ANGELES, CA (Sábado, 27 de Febrero, 2010) – Operación USA, una agencia humanitaria basada en Los Ángeles, anuncia hoy que mandara suministros médicos a Chile como parte de la respuesta humanitaria tras la devastación del terremoto.

El terremoto de 8.8 grados duro un minuto. Su epicentro estuvo a 90 kilómetros de Santiago, la capital de Chile. Mas de 140 personas han fallecido y un gran numero de edificios, carreteras, puentes,electricidad y teléfonos han sido destruidos. El evento también ha desatado una serie de alertas de tsunami en Hawaii y Japón.

Operación USA realiza una petición para donaciones de fondos monetarios. La organización también solicita donaciones corporativas en cantidad para ayuda medica, la cual enviara inmediatamente a la región desde su almacén en el Puerto de Los Ángeles.

COMO AYUDAR:
Se pueden hacer donaciones en línea a www.opusa.org o por teléfono al 1.800. 678.7255 o por medio de cheques hecho a nombre de Operación USA, 3617 Hayden Ave, Suite A, Culver City, CA 90232.

También puede enviar un mensaje telefónico al numero 50555 con la palabra REBUILD y donar $10 a los esfuerzos humanitarios de Operación USA en Chile.

Donaciones corporativas de materiales de emergencia en cantidades al por mayor también están siendo solicitadas. Millas aéreas también pueden ser donadas a Operación USA a través del programa de United Airlines Charity Miles en www.united.com

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Media Contact:

Alison Deknatel
Director, Communications
adeknatel@opusa.org
310.838.3455

For Spanish-language:
Alessandra Valconi
Program Associate, Latin America and the Caribbean Programs
avalconi@opusa.org
323.627.2688
310.838.3455

OPERATION USA TO SEND EMERGENCY MEDICAL AID TO INDONESIA FOLLOWING SERIES OF EARTHQUAKES

CATASTROPHE QUICKLY FOLLOWS DISASTERS IN SAMOA AND THE PHILIPPINES; NEED FOR DONATIONS AND CORPORATE SUPPORT INTENSIFIES

LOS ANGELES, CA (October 1, 2009)—Los Angeles-based International relief agency Operation USA announced today that it will send medical aid to Indonesia following a series of earthquakes that wreaked havoc across the island of Sumatra. A 7.6-magnitude earthquake struck Sumatra Wednesday, quickly followed by a strong second quake, killing scores of people and trapping thousands under rubble. It is reported that at least 500 buildings in Padang, the capital of West Sumatra, collapsed—including a number of hospitals.

Operation USA’s relief efforts will focus on medical aid and support for health clinics and hospitals. The relief group is appealing for donations of funds from the public and corporate donations in bulk of health care materials, water purification supplies and food supplements which it will ship to the region from its base in the Port of Los Angeles.

“A quick succession of large disasters presents a challenge for a relief agency. As securing resources becomes competitive with so many needs arising at once, it is more important than ever to meet specific needs with the appropriate aid. We urge those that can help to donate generously to help ensure critical aid reaches those who need it most,” states Richard Walden, President and CEO, Operation USA.

HOW TO HELP:

Donate online at www.opusa.org, by phone at 1.800.678.7255 or, by check made out to Operation USA, 3617 Hayden Ave, Suite A, Culver City, CA 90232.

About Operation USA

Operation USA is an international relief agency that helps communities at home and abroad overcome the effects of disasters, disease and endemic poverty by providing privately-funded relief, reconstruction and development aid. Since 1979, the Los Angeles-based Operation USA has worked in 99 countries, delivering over $350 million for relief and development projects.

Operation USA has a long history of work in Indonesia, and continues today to work on long-term projects as a result of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami. Operation USA’s extensive experience in Asia resulted in quickly mobilizing partners on the ground. Projects were funded in Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Thailand and India. Operation USA remains an active and dedicated part of the long-term recovery process, and numerous projects continue in a large number of these communities.

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Media Contact:

Alison Deknatel, Director of Communications, Operation USA

310.838.3455 or adeknatel@opusa.org

Operation USA began working with the Port-au-Prince based NGO L’Athletique d’Haiti following the hurricanes that hit the Caribbean in the fall of 2008. The series of storms paired with a 50% rise in food costs exacerbated the already dire circumstance, leaving many impoverished Haitians without access to basic food and nutrition. Malnutrition was at crisis level for those most vulnerable, especially children.

L’Athletique d’Haiti (LADH) is an after-school sports program that serves children from ages 6 to 17 in Cité Soleil and Bel Air, the poorest slums in Port-au-Prince. In a country where soccer is a national obsession, the lack of sports programs deprives young people of the opportunity to acquire self esteem, discipline and dedication—the skills developed through playing sports. The program additionally offers a nutritious daily meal and transportation to its participants.

To address the increased demand created by the hurricanes, Operation USA contributed to the funding of a new cafeteria for the facility. Additionally, OpUSA provided LADH with a grant to support their food program which serves children from some of the most destitute areas of Port-au-Prince and surrounding provinces.

Now, in the wake of the January 2010 earthquake, the needs have grown.

PROJECT UPDATE:

The facilities at L’Athletique d’Haiti sustained some damage in the earthquake–however, a large number of the children and families the program supported have suffered tremendously. Many of those who survived lost their homes.

The two soccer fields at LADH are currently housing as many as 500 families, sheltered in self-made or donated tents. They are being provided food and water, alongside medical care. Under the guidance of LADH’s inspiring founder Boby Duval, massive food distributions have been undertaken for those living on site.

Operation USA is currently working with LADH to address both current and long-term needs. From providing material aid, shelter and water purification systems, to rebuilding infrastructure and funding for programs, OpUSA remains committed to this program.

On May 12, 2008, a magnitude 7.9 earthquake hit China’s Sichuan province. The quake, whose epicenter was just 50 miles northwest of the densely populated city of Chengdu, affected over 15 million, injured 350,000 and tragically claimed the lives of as many as 70,000 people.

Schools were particularly hard hit by the quake—at least 7,000 school buildings in Sichuan Province collapsed. Tragically, more than 5,000 children were killed.

OpUSA partnered with Honeywell Hometown Solutions, the philanthropic arm of Honeywell Corporation, to reconstruct a village-level primary school that now serves over 450 students. A ribbon-cutting for the Honeywell Three Villages United Primary School was held in May 2009.

Operation USA and Honeywell remain committed to the recovery process in China. Second phase projects are underway and include the construction of five primary care health clinics in Liangping County, Chongqing, as well as the construction of a second primary school.

]]> http://www.opusa.org/projects/chengdu-china-school-rebuilding-project/feed/ 0 30.6586018 104.0648575 http://www.opusa.org/projects/hurricane-katrina-disaster-response-an-overview/ http://www.opusa.org/projects/hurricane-katrina-disaster-response-an-overview/#comments Thu, 23 Jul 2009 08:19:03 +0000 admin http://opusa.org/?p=210 On August 29, 2005, the world watched in horror as Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast of the United States. Not only was this worst natural disaster in our nation’s history—the fury of the storm was matched only by the failure of the government to respond effectively.

The hurricane caused extensive and severe damage in Louisiana and Mississippi, with New Orleans clearly the hardest hit area. A break in the levee system caused massive flooding throughout most of the city. Preliminary damage estimates for the region were well in excess of $100 billion; over 1,800 people died; and it is reported that as many as 275,000 homes were lost.

Less than a month later, Hurricane Rita made landfall on the southern coast of Louisiana and Texas. Rita caused $11.3 billion in damage and was the third Category 5 hurricane of the historic 2005 Atlantic hurricane season. While Rita remained well to the south and west of New Orleans, more parts of the levee wall were breached causing major reflooding in New Orleans.

An impoverished region before the storm, the impact of Katrina and Rita added a devastating hurdle to the already taxed social services system in both Louisiana and Mississippi. As first responders to the area, Operation USA rapidly sent a wide range of emergency supplies to community-based clinics in both rural and urban areas.

To address the needs of Katrina victims in the immediate aftermath of the storm, Operation USA focused our resources on community health clinics. Having over 27 years of experience supporting low-income health programs, OpUSA provided an initial $8 million in supplies and $700,000 in cash grants to Gulf Coast clinics. These resources ensured the clinics’ continuity of operations and allowed them to provide critical disaster relief and social services. Ultimately, Operation USA’s donors were enormously generous following this disaster—allowing us to donate a total of over $17 million in medical supplies and more than $2 million in grants to over 50 local clinics and community organizations

While the natural devastation and the egregious human errors have been well documented, the will and determination of Gulf Coast residents affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita continues to inspire as they rebuild their lives and revive their communities. Although there has been significant progress in much of the region, many residents are still struggling to reconstruct their lives. Operation USA continues to respond to unmet needs.