Disaster type: Drought
Affected countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, British Virgin Islands, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago
In Haiti, about 200,000 families (1 million people) have been affected by drought conditions since the beginning of 2015, especially in Sud-Est, Nord-Ouest and Artibonite regions. These prolonged conditions are aggravating the situation of 3.8 million food-insecure people in the country. (ACAPS, 21 Jul 2015)
The important crop losses resulted from severe drought affecting the country plunges the poorest population in a highly vulnerable situation. According to the latest bulletin of the National Food Security Coordination (CNSA), from July to December 2015, agricultural production has dropped by 50 percent.
The most heavily hit areas are the South, the North-West, North-East, Northern Artibonite, and South-East. Forecasts indicate that others will see their situation worsen and reaching either “stress” (phase 2) or “crisis” levels in the coming months. (OCHA, 31 Aug 2015)
Haiti is forecast to continue experiencing extremely warm and dry conditions through to May 2016. Drought has resulted in a 50 percent decrease of the 2015 spring season harvest, which normally covers 60 percent of total agricultural production. (FAO, 26 Jan 2016)
As most of the country has been affected by the drought, the World Food Programme is planning to scale up its food assistance programmes to address the most critical and immediate needs
of drought affected persons between March to December 2016. (WFP, 17 Feb 2016)
In Cuba, the water crisis is the most severe since 2004, with 144 municipalities affected and some 100,000 people depending on water delivered by tanks. (OCHA, 6 Oct 2015) By February 2016, 27% of the Suban territory was affected by water deficits. (Gov't of Cuba, 8 Feb 2016)
Date: 02 Jul 2015
Status: Ongoing
