The International Federation of the Red Cross approximates 60,000 people are homeless with 5,000 to 8,000 persons in 47 emergency shelters, 30 of which are official shelters and 17 of which were established on an ad-hoc basis. The temporary halt to the flow of emergency supplies into Grenada issued yesterday will be lifted as of 5:00am today Saturday September 11, 2004. The decision to resume all emergency relief flights was taken after review of the situation by the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency (CDERA), the Grenada Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) and the Regional Security System (RSS). The Caribbean Disaster Relief Unit is now operational at both the air and sea ports and responsible for managing all incoming relief supplies. The Point Salines Airport is now providing limited services to handle incoming aircraft. Regular shipments of relief supplies are scheduled to arrive at both the air and sea ports commencing early Saturday morning. The seaport is equipped to handle containerized cargo. Potable water remains a priority need. It has been determined that the surface water distribution system was damaged by the passage of Ivan. Assessments are continuing to determine the need for repair crews and quantities replacement parts required. Water storage facilities are intact. The EOC convened a meeting with the Rapid Needs Assessment Team (RNAT) to receive their initial damage assessment report. The initial information is informing the priorities and targeting of needs. A high level team consisting of the Secretary General of CARICOM, Director General of the OECS, CDB President, Resident Representative of UNDP and the Regional Security Coordinator RSS visited Grenada yesterday Friday September 10, 2004. The Team met with the Prime Minister and toured many of the hurricane ravaged areas. On returning to Barbados, the Regional Security Coordinator and the Resident Representative met with CDERA to inform of their findings. They noted: 1. The need for assistance to support local Emergency Operations Center (EOC) operations and relief distribution 2. That internal and external communications was improving. 3. That the OECS will partner with UN/ECLAC to conduct economic and strategic planning They agreed to the following: a. Support for the Grenada EOC would be accelerated as a matter of priority b. The capacity for establishing a local distribution network would be strengthened c. UN/OCHA support would be solicited to strengthen EOC Operations and Communications d. Financing for short to medium term restoration of housing and provision of shelter would be identifiede. To include counseling in the priority needs f. Emergency needs would be rearticulated to focus on emergency housing and shelter g. Reconstruction teams to be deployed as a priority Regional Response The Government of Dominica has advised that it has deposited US$50,000 in the FirstCaribbean account established for the purpose. The Prime Minister is scheduled to visit Grenada on Sunday September 12, 2004. The International Federation of Red Cross Societies will ship additional relief supplies and deploy five additional persons to Grenada on Saturday September 11, 2004 to assist in logistics coordination and relief supplies distribution. The Federation has also launched an appeal to raise US$1.3 million The Pan American Health Organisation will also deploy additional personnel to assist in the Helath Sector. The British Virgin Islands (BVI) will deploy personnel to assist at the General Hospital and for supporting Supplies Management (SUMA) Digicel, AT&T personnel will arrive in Grenada Saturday with repair equipment Broadcast capability restored with the support of the BVI and St. Vincent & The Grenadines collaboration. EOC now strengthened with the arrival of Capt. Horatio Tuitt of Montserrat and Mr. Franklyn Michael of Barbados. USAID/OFDA Regional Advisor arrived on island yesterday. Source:cdera.org