Stephane Michaud from the Canadian Red Cross provides an update on the response to Hurricane Sandy in the Caribbean. The Red Cross continues to provide assistance to the most vulnerable Haitians who are struggling to recover from the affects of Hurricane Sandy. More than 18,000 families are estimated to be affected. The Haitian Red Cross society has evacuated camps, deployed psychosocial support volunteers, and is supporting emergency shelter management. Hygiene messages like the importance of washing hands and using treated water are being spread by volunteers, through SMS, and by sound truck. As a result of Sandy, cholera is on the rise and a cholera treatment centre has been set up in Port-à-Piment.
The Jamaican Red Cross is conducting damage and needs assessments in affected communities. They are providing livelihood cash vouchers and relief supplies for approximately 500 families.
The Cuban Red Cross has mobilized over 3,200 volunteers to help monitor shelters, rescue, first aid, psychosocial support, and spreading hygiene messages to prevent the spread of disease.
In the Bahamas, the Red Cross is distributing food parcels and water to affected communities and in the Dominican Republic volunteers are disseminating their national campaign to prevent dengue which includes the distribution of hygience kits, mattresses, and nets.
Canadians wishing to support Red Cross emergency relief operations are encouraged to donate to the Hurricanes 2012 fund.