JOTC SITREP 24 May 2010

HIGHLIGHTS

• German minister hands over house keys in Léogâne
• Two joint sweep operations conducted in Cite Soleil and PaP
• New camp management operation with 12 teams created to liaise with local authorities and community leaders
  

I. GENERAL SITUATION

Active weather will persist throughout the Caribbean today as the official start of the tropical storm season rapidly approaches. With a low pressure system located to the north of Hispaniola, scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected across the region. Although the Centre National de Météorologie has lifted its ‘orange’ alert, it has advised inhabitants of areas at risk of subsidence, landslides and flooding to remain vigilant. The CNM follows the same ascending colour scale employed by the US National Hurricane Center in Miami to indicate potential for formation of a tropical cyclone: yellow (<30%),>50).

The German cooperation minister attended the inauguration of a project to build houses in the town of Léogâne yesterday as part of an official visit to Haiti. In the Gerin area of this southern city with hundreds of homeless, keys to 51 wooden houses were handed over in the first phase of a programme planning to provide 1,000 such abodes at a cost of €5 million. As one of the cities most seriously affected by the January earthquake, Léogâne will be a focus funding for the German government, which has also launched a cash-for-work in neighbouring Anacaona. (Source:http://www.metropolehaiti.com/)

II. SECURITY AND PUBLIC ORDER

The overall security situation in Haiti remains stable, however anti-governmental demonstrations by the political opposition continue. A recent rekindling of criminal violence has also provoked renewed concerns.

On 22 May, at 0825 hours, Saint-Marc locality, a 38-year-old male was arrested for raping an 11-year-old girl. The victim was taken to the hospital and the suspect was detained by the HNP.

The same day at 0830 hours in Cité Soleil, unidentified armed assailants fired gunshots and then fled the scene. A 14-year-old male was struck in the chest by a bullet and transported to hospital. An investigation was opened.

Also on 22 May, at 1430 hours in Arcahaie a 45-year-old local man was arrested for the rape a 10-year-old girl. The suspect was detained by the HNP.

Finally, at 1524 hours on 22 May in Croix des Bouquets, an escaped prisoner was arrested and detained by the HNP.

On 23 May, in Fort Liberté, a demonstration was organized by about 50 persons in the Franche area to protest against the holding of elections for the syndicate of Ouanaminthe on the site of their school. No incidents were reported.

Also on 23 May at 1530 hours in Cité Soleil, a joint sweep operation was conducted by UNPOL, MINUSTAH Military and HNP, without incident.

The same day at 1900 hours in Port-au-Prince, a joint sweep operation conducted by UNPOL, MINUSTAH Military and HNP resulted in the arrest and detention of 14 suspects by HNP.

Finally, on 23 May 23 at 2100 hours on Barbancourt Street in Port-au-Prince, a corporal in the Nigerian FPU was threatened by unidentified gunmen who stole his valuables. One suspect was arrested and the mobile phone of the victim has been recovered. An investigation was opened.

Today at 0800 hours in Pétion-Ville Club IDP Camp, a peaceful demonstration was organized to ask for jobs. The demonstration finished without incident.

In the last 24 hours, UNPOL and HNP conducted 301 joint patrols and 52 checkpoints throughout the country. A total of 34 arrests and another one escape arrest were reported. MINUSTAH military conducted 755 security operations involving 4,265 troops and 4 maritime patrols, sailing 167.4 nautical miles.

III. HUMANITARIAN OPERATIONS

As the cluster lead for Camp Coordination and Camp Management, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) announced the creation of a new camp-management operation comprised of 12 teams to plan and liaise with local authorities and community leaders to improve the flow of information between affected populations and humanitarian actors. With a mandate to establish ties with the mayors of the seven municipalities in the greater Port-au-Prince area, officials from the Directorate of Civil Protection (DPC) and civil society leaders, the teams will develop a clearer understanding of the specific needs and priorities of each municipality for communication throughout the humanitarian system. (Source: Relief Web)

In response to two diphtheria cases during the past week, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and USAID have been working in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), which includes the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO), UNICEF and the Haitian Ministry of Public Health and Population (MSPP) to develop a response protocol and communication strategy for diphtheria and other infectious diseases, such as rabies. During the past five years, Haiti has experienced between 10 and 260 annual reported diphtheria cases. (Source: Relief Web)

In the last 24 hours, MINUSTAH military has conducted four humanitarian assistance missions involving 31 troops. These missions included food and water distributions benefiting over 3,530 people.

IV. JOTC

The Joint Operations and Tasking Centre (JOTC) continued to respond to requests for assistance from humanitarian partners, the Government and the Project Management Coordination Cell (PMCC). To date, 754 requests for support have been received and 473 completed. Most of the requests pertain to the provision of security and engineering support.