Transcript Lessons Learned, Hurricane Mitch

Lessons Learned, Hurricane Mitch
San Juan, Puerto Rico
May 23-28, 2000
Hurricane Mitch

Most powerful hurricane to hit Central America in two
centuries

Overwhelmed disaster management structures, at national,
regional and international due to geographic impact

Unprecedented levels of destruction, $3.5 Billion

Thousands of shattered lives; two million displaced

Four countries seriously affected by the phenomenon;
extreme poverty, environmental degradation and poor
disaster response resources
Hurricane Mitch
The Setting:

Hurricane developed as tropical storm then CAT V, stalled
for two days prior to landfall--4.5 feet of rain

Impacted impoverished and debt-ridden countries

Some recently emerged from prolonged conflict

Death toll, homes destroyed, agriculture, health
infrastructure, schools, highways, bridges, water and
sewage was all on an unprecedented scale

Human interventions lie at the root of much of the damage:
farmers and urban population without access to adequate
land or credit and technical assistance, homes in high-risk
areas, deforestation, inappropriate farming practices
Hurricane Mitch
Initial Response:
 Not well prepared disaster management structures
or plans to address the effects of a major disaster,
despite the recurrence of major disaster history in
the region
 Sporadic information sharing amongst the affected
countries, communities and internal communications
breaks
 As the event unfolded, respective governments
were establishing national emergency structures
 Health sector was better prepared--PAHO
Hurricane Mitch
Relief Effort:
 Local authorities, churches, NGOs, and civil defense
mobilized
 National, regional and international assistance was
generous and massive, but cumbersome and
sometimes not coordinated
 Aid received monitored closely--receiving, storage,
registry and distribution by affected nation w/SUMA
 Over 40 countries provided relief support-equipment, personnel, goods or debt forgiveness
OFDA Funded DoD Air Assets
•La Ceiba--FOB:
•4 x UH-60s
San Pedro Sula
La Ceiiba
GUATEMALA
HONDURAS
•Guatemala City:
•6 x UH-60s
•JTF Bravo(Soto Cano):
•5 x UH- 60s
•2 x MH-60s
•4 x CH -47s
•2 x C-27s
•2 x C-130
EL SALVADOR
NICARAGUA
•JTF-Aguila (Comalapa)
• 6 x MH/UH-60s
•10 x CH-47s (or equivalent)
DART HQs
•Managua:
•5 x UH-60s
•1 x CH-47
COSTA
RICA
PANAMA
Snap Shot of DART OPS During Hurricane Mitch: 10 Nov 98
DoD provided approximately 60% of airlift required in the region;
other forces provided the remaining 40%.
Summary of U.S. Assistance
During Hurricane Mitch
• USAID/OFDA $30 million
• USAID/Food for Peace (FFP) $52 million
• Department of Defense (DOD) $150 million
• U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) $63 million
• Development/Micro-credit assistance $5 million
• Rolls of Plastic Sheeting: 1,434
• Water Bladders: 39
• Water Jugs: 53,850
• Blankets: 22,150
• Body Bags: 1,004
• Food: 60,000 Metric Tons
Total USG: $300 Million
Hurricane Mitch
“lessons learned”

Emergency Operations systems did not function
-Governments were developing as situation
unfolded-political change, changed DM organization
-Existing organizations focused efforts on
preparedness and response, need to include
prevention and mitigation

Lack of coordination/exercising of national
emergency plans
Hurricane Mitch
“lessons learned”

Civilian groups marginalized by military who have
the resources

Coordination efforts centralized in capitol cities

Disaster management trained personnel were not
available or unable to execute what training known
Hurricane Mitch
“lessons learned”

Better communications required with outlying
areas for assessment and reporting

Countries overwhelmed with international
assistance-not coordinated

Early warning is critical at the local, national, and
international level

Communications and plans need to be known by
community leaders--communications and plans
have to be horizontal versus vertical
Hurricane Mitch
“lessons learned”

Disaster Preparedness and Planning needs to
involve all communities

comprehensive training programs at all levels

community awareness

information management; communication media

should be aware of their influence; PIO keeping media
informed to avoid confusion, and erroneous reports

create a culture of disaster preparedness and mitigation;
create awareness for all sectors
Hurricane Mitch
“lessons learned”

Governments and local authorities must ensure that the
international donor community’s response is based on
reliable and verified needs assessment

Information sharing through relief networks

Humanitarian Operations Center needs to be established
to coordinate efforts with NGO’s, and other international
organizations

Coordination of efforts between National, local, regional
and international organizations
Hurricane Mitch
“lessons learned”

Social Vulnerability, assignment of funds for
sustainable living conditions and health/education
Hurricane Mitch
“lessons learned”

Reforestation of areas and legislation on sites
for construction
Hurricane Mitch
“lessons learned”

Strengthen Central
American integration
through existing
institutions such as
CEPREDENAC and
SICA-looking at
regional management
of water and other
natural resources,
address shared
problems
Venezuela’s Floods
“lessons learned”

Lessons learned from Hurricane Mitch in Central
America indicate that many of the NEMO’s were
unable to assist as trained during the last 10-15 yrs.

The same lessons were learned during the
December 1999 floods in Venezuela

In most of these events, the military was directed to
assume duties of the operating NEMO’s

Innovative institutional systems are needed to
enhance NEMO self sufficiency and military support
to civil authorities during disasters
“Preparedness and Planning of
Foreign Regions in the Americas ”

All countries affected by Mitch have passed
legislation creating civil sector agencies for natural
disaster and emergency response--CEPREDENAC

Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) proactive with DART, Preparedness/Planning training,
initial assistance to affected country

USSOUTHCOM Regional Disaster Response
Seminars and Training Exercises

CDERA, CEPREDENAC and PAHO
“Preparedness and Planning of
Foreign Regions in the Americas ”

Central American Disaster Mitigation
Initiative-OFDA/USAID
Academic Curriculum design/development in
DM/HA
Scientific research on topics related to DM/HA

Collaboration of organizations in region

Health sector Psycho-social aspects

Private sector involvement


Gracias!