Hurricane Mitch : management assessment of humanitarian assistance activities in Honduras and Nicaragua

Overall, the contribution of OFDA, FFP, and OTI to relief and transition programs in Central America was timely and appropriate. Visits by the President and other high-level U.S. Government officials and the approval by Congress of $700 million in supplemental funds demonstrated unprecedented support for the region and gained considerable prestige for the U.S. humanitarian program. High-level host government officials, interviewed for this assessment, expressed their gratitude for the official U.S. response as well as for the outpouring of contributions from the American public. The combined effort of OFDA and U.S. military aircraft resulted in saving lives and alleviating suffering of thousands of victims of the hurricane. Search and rescue, health, water, and sanitation interventions all directly contributed to the health and welfare of people in the region. The fact that there were no major disease outbreaks is evidence of the effectiveness of preventive health measures and swift action to restore water and sanitation to affected areas. OFDA resources were critical at a time when other USAID, other donor, and host government resources were not readily available to avert major health problems from massive environmental devastation and dislocation of people. The OFDA/OTI investment in shelter in Honduras directly affects the lives of some 30,000 people in Tegucigalpa and the thousands of others who were provided shelter throughout the country. These were economically marginal groups who had been living in unsafe, unhealthy conditions. The OTI Exit Program provides an economic ladder to higher status and improved living conditions for groups whose instability would have created fertile territory for civil turmoil. Selected data from PVO Title II grantees show that nutritional status among children improved dramatically in some areas during the emergency food program. Whether this trend is long term, or solely the result of increased availability of food, is not known. Food not only served the basic needs of the family but was also an income supplement for those whose economic activities had been disrupted. Beneficiaries identified Food for Work (FFW) programs as critical in refocusing their energies away from the tragedy and toward rebuilding. For the most part, FFW programs began months before supplemental funds were available, thereby filling a critical need for material and financial support at a time when resources other than food were not readily available. In terms of institutional strengthening, relief activities began a process that will have an impact far beyond the relief period. In both countries, host government institutions charged with disaster response were sidelined for lack of management capability. One year later, with OFDA and other assistance, Honduras's Permanent Commission for Contingencies (COPECO) is a re-engineered institution with more budget resources, staff, equipment, office space, and communication capability. Perhaps more importantly, Honduras' view of the role of COPECO and the need for a strong institution has changed dramatically. Likewise, in Nicaragua, several steps have been taken to bring disaster mitigation to the fore as a priority policy issue. Includes recommendations for BHR, OFDA, FFP, and OTI. (Author abstract, modified)