Just a year ago, on the night of September 5 to 6, 2017, Hurricane Irma, of extreme violence, ravaged the Caribbean and especially Saint-Martin and Saint-Barthélemy, causing considerable damage, followed closely by hurricanes José, then Maria.
Even before Irma's passage, the French Red Cross had launched its response system to emergencies and exceptional situations and has since multiplied its actions. After two months of exceptional mobilization to respond to the emergency, it has, since November 2017, deployed its post-emergency and reconstruction actions in Saint-Martin in particular, by committing to long-term support for the most vulnerable populations. most vulnerable affected by these disasters, but also on strengthening the capacities of its territorial actors.
After an emergency and support phase for the population which lasted eight weeks, the French Red Cross is continuing its actions in the French territories impacted a year ago by Irma: in Saint-Martin, primarily, but also in Saint-Barthélemy and Guadeloupe. The hurricane revealed pre-existing vulnerabilities and highlighted the imperative need to develop prevention, preparation and crisis management systems in this particularly exposed region and to provide long-term support to people who are victims of great precariousness.
Supporting the most vulnerable over time
The French Red Cross was extremely mobilized before, during and after this disaster. For the past year, it has been stepping up its support actions for the most vulnerable. Once the emergency operations, which mobilized more than 400 volunteers from the Caribbean and metropolitan areas, were completed, post-emergency and reconstruction actions were immediately launched. Faced with the magnitude of the needs, linked to the disaster but also to a degraded social and health situation, long-term support is essential. This support is supported by the territorial delegation and the establishments of Saint-Martin which have resumed and even reinforced their actions with the most precarious.
Post-emergency actions
In November 2017, following a careful assessment of needs and identification of beneficiaries, two post-emergency projects were carried out: the Castor and Ecureuil projects, which have now been completed. They have not only helped to improve the living conditions of the most vulnerable households, but also helped to revive the local economy.
The Castor project has made it possible to provide basic materials to 500 households identified in 6 neighborhoods particularly impacted by Irma so that they can rehabilitate their habitat by their own means. This program took the form of the distribution of tool kits, provided by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and purchase coupons valid at seven partner stores on the island. The families benefited from the support of local craftsmen on para-cyclonic rehabilitation techniques.
The Ecureuil project aimed to help 1 families obtain essential goods from 400 partner stores on the island via purchase coupons.
A similar operation was carried out in Saint-Barthélemy for 23 families with 4 partner stores.
(continued in our next edition).
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