Press Release

OFID extends US$500,000 emergency grant to Haiti and Cuba

28/2008 September 18, Vienna, Austria
Press inquiries:

The OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) has approved an emergency grant of US$500,000 for Haiti and Cuba. The funds will help provide essential relief supplies and support emergency operation for victims of a spate of natural disasters that recently hit the Caribbean region, with the two nations being the most severely affected. Several hundred thousand people have lost their homes, basic infrastructure has been wiped out and many livelihoods have been destroyed.

In August, Hurricane Gustav and tropical storm Fay, brought strong winds and heavy flooding to the countries. While trying to cope with the damage created by these disasters, the Caribbean region was in September struck by Hurricane Ike and tropical storm Hanna. These calamities brought about massive wide-spread destruction.

In Haiti, at least 550 people perished while the country’s infrastructure particularly in the city of Gonaives, was largely destroyed. So far, emergency assistance in the form of shelter, food, water and other items are being provided. However, additional support is urgently needed to help surviving victims re-build their homes. Also of utmost importance is the need for significant investment to rehabilitate roads and public buildings, as well as revive the agricultural sector. The country has issued a Flash Appeal of over US$100 million to provide immediate relief and support early recovery assistance.

In Cuba, the government has declared Hurricanes Ike and Gustav as the worse storms to have ever hit the country. In addition to coping with the crippling damage inflicted on infrastructure, almost half of Cuba’s sugar cane crop has been wiped out. An estimated 200,000 individuals have lost their homes and thousands more are likely to need temporary shelter while rehabilitation works are carried out.

OFID’s grant will be channelled through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies: Haiti will get US$300,000, while Cuba will receive US$200,000.