Emergency Plan of Action (EPoA) Lebanon: Extreme weather condition

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1 Page 1 Emergency Plan of Action (EPoA) Lebanon: Extreme weather condition DREF Operation Operation n MDRLB005 Glide n CW LBN Date of issue: 10 January 2015 Date of disaster: 6 January 2015 Operation manager: Shail Shrestha, Operation Coordinator for Lebanon Operation start date: 6 January 2015 Overall operation budget: CHF 140,114 Point of contact: Rodney Eid, Media & Communication Advisor Expected timeframe: 2 months Number of people affected: 1,000,000 Number of people to be assisted: 2,000 Host National Society presence: 100 Staff, 1,000 Volunteers from EMS, DMU, Blood Banks and Medico Social Department Red Cross Red Crescent Movement partners actively involved in the operation: Lebanese Red Cross A. Situation analysis Description of the disaster Lebanon has been hit by a major snow storm "Zeina" (as nominated by the meteorologist) as of Tuesday 6 January The Storm is affecting the entire country and it has blocked major roads leading to mountain villages starting from 700m above sea level. Coastal roads and villages are being affected by six to nine meter sea waves which have developed floods. In coastal areas, the storm caused the ports of Sidon, Tyre and Tripoli to shut down for the second day on Wednesday, while hail fell in Beirut and the temperature dropped to less than six Celsius degrees, a rare occurrence in the capital. In north Lebanon, thick layers of snow covered the mountains and slopes in Akkar, and a thin layer reached the coast for the first time in 60 years. Roads from an altitude of 600 meters above sea level were still blocked by snow, as bulldozers and snowplows began clearing main motorways Thursday to unblock many villages that were completely cut off. Most villages above 1,200 meters have been completely blocked out. Weather conditions are making it very difficult to reach blocked out villages. The storm is accompanied by extreme temperatures as low as -16 C and strong winds halting air traffic at Beirut airport and prompting the government to order the closure of schools across the country. Coastal areas are being affected by major floods that have damaged houses and property along the coast. The entire population, Lebanese and refugees, are being affected and are facing extreme weather conditions. Based on the ongoing assessment held by the Lebanese Red Cross there is more than One Million people are affected by this storm. LRC volunteer rescuing a child from the snow storm in Lebanon Photo credit: LRC

2 Page 2 Summary of the current response Overview of Host National Society The Lebanese Red Cross has been on a nationwide alert since the first day. The Lebanese Red Cross (LRC), the sole provider of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is intervening with 100 ambulances (60 of which are 4x4 jeeps), 500 EMTs, 15 nationwide Search and Rescue teams and the National Intervention Team. The LRC has also mobilized the Disaster Management Unit which is intervening in winterization support to the refugees who are highly affected by this storm. The disaster management unit has also mobilized field teams to assess the damages in refugee camping areas. LRC Blood Banks and Medico Social units have also been mobilized to support the storm. The LRC EMS has transported 1919 cases till now (10 January), out of which: eight dead and 26 CPR cases (Please see Annex 1). The EMS have also evacuated 106 people from mountain villages stranded by the snow. LRC volunteers rescuing people in mountain villages stranded by snow Photo Credit: LRC Movement Coordination The LRC has updated the information in the DMIS and has kept the movement partners informed on the situation and on their operations. The IFRC MENA ZONE office is in contact with the LRC providing necessary support. Overview of non-rcrc actors in country The IFRC and LRC participated in the Inter Agency meeting held at UNHCR on 9 January, The situation of the storm was discussed and LRC intervention was highlighted by the organizers. The Government has mobilized the Lebanese Armed Forces, Lebanese Internal Security and the Civil Defence to support the population. LRC also participated in the Government Level meeting where the line Ministries have been meeting to discuss and plan on the operations. The authorities are working closely on opening blocked roads and open water channels to reduce floods from the coastal areas. The LRC is closely coordinating with all government stakeholders and is coordinating with the Lebanese Army to use heavy machinery to open access to LRC vehicles to get to beneficiaries out of some areas where the snow has exceeded 1.5 meters high. Needs analysis, beneficiary selection, risk assessment and scenario planning It was estimated by the Lebanese Red Cross that close to 1,000,000 people are affected by this storm and around 2,000 people would need LRC s EMS and search and rescue services. A total of 35 out of 46 EMS stations are put on alert to support the population trapped in snow. Stations were selected based on their locations in the affected areas. Stations are in urgent need to be provided with chains for their vehicles as well as snow gears composed of snow jackets and snow pants for volunteers. Syrian Refugees in informal settlements in Lebanon are highly at risk by the storm, and the LRC are responding to their winterisation needs as part of their ongoing winterisation operation, that is managed by the Disaster Management Unit at the LRC. During the snow storm the most urgent needed services by the population are: Emergency Medical Intervention Transport of patients from home to hospital in severe conditions ( example dialysis) Transport of patients from Hospital to Home Home wound treatment Evacuation of people trapped in the snow The LRC has already intervened and transported 662 people within the first 24 hours.

3 Page 3 B. Operational strategy and plan Overall objective The immediate needs of at least 2,000 snow trapped people in remote Lebanese villages are met through the provision of first aid and search and rescue services by the LRC. Proposed strategy The DREF allocation will be used to procure support equipment to EMS teams in order for them to be able to evacuate people from the places they are trapped in and help them reach their homes or hospitals if needed. Supporting equipment include Snow chains for 4x4 ambulances as intervening in icy roads is extremely difficult without the snow chains, snow gear for emergency medical technicians (EMTs) including gloves, shoes and head hoodies, Diesel for heating Emergency Medical Services stations, during the DREF operation, to be able to accommodate the volunteers in freezing weather, Food for volunteers who are intervening in the nationwide alert. The DREF also supports the minor maintenance of the ambulances (60 four wheel drive and 40 regular ambulances) which are being used under extreme conditions. As the winter season is just beginning and as forecasts are predicting a long and sever winter in Lebanon, the enhancement of the EMS fleet will help the LRC to respond better and faster during next storms. At the end of the operation a Beneficiary satisfaction survey will be conducted among the people who were assisted. Operational support services Human resources The operational plan will require human resources from EMS Headquarter. The Fleet Manager, Procurement Coordinator, Communication Coordinator will be mobilized to support on this process. C. DETAILED OPERATIONAL PLAN Health & care Outcome 1: The immediate risks to the health of affected populations are reduced Output 1.1: The health situation and immediate risks are assessed using LRC guidelines Activities planned Weeks Monitor the proper functioning of dispatch stations Conduct regular assessment to identify areas for intervention Output 1.2: Target population is provided with rapid medical management of injuries and diseases Activities planned Weeks Supply 100 Volunteers with snow gear Supply EMS stations with Diesel for heating 35 stations Provide food parcels for 400 volunteers on duty / day Maintain Ambulances (25) Budget Refer to annexed budget HERE

4 Page 4 Contact information For further information specifically related to this operation please contact: In Lebanese Red Cross: Georges Kettaneh, Secretary General, Phone: /3, Fax: , georgeskettaneh@yahoo.com In the MENA Zone In IFRC MENA Zone: Shail Shrestha, Operation Coordinator for Lebanon, Phone: shail.shrestha@ifrc.org In IFRC MENA Zone: Mireille Charara, Disaster Management Officer, Phone: mireille.charara@ifrc.org For Resource Mobilization and Pledges: In IFRC MENA Zone: Samah Hassoun, Senior Resource Mobilization Officer, Phone: , samah.hassoun@ifrc.org For Performance and Accountability (planning, monitoring, evaluation and reporting enquiries) In IFRC MENA Zone: Nadine Haddad, Senior PMER Officer, Mobile: , nadine.haddad@ifrc.org How we work All IFRC assistance seeks to adhere to the Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO s) in Disaster Relief and the Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Humanitarian Response (Sphere) in delivering assistance to the most vulnerable. The IFRC s vision is to inspire, encourage, facilitate and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies, with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering, and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.

5 Annex 1 Page 5

6 DREF OPERATION 11/01/2015 MDRLB005 Budget Group Lebanon: Extreme weather condition DREF Grant Budget CHF Shelter - Relief 0 Shelter - Transitional 0 Construction - Housing 0 Construction - Facilities 0 Construction - Materials 0 Clothing & Textiles 0 Food 0 Seeds & Plants 0 Water, Sanitation & Hygiene 0 Medical & First Aid 0 Teaching Materials 0 Utensils & Tools 0 Other Supplies & Services 53,412 Cash Disbursements 0 Total RELIEF ITEMS, CONSTRUCTION AND SUPPLIES 53,412 Land & Buildings 0 Vehicles 0 Computer & Telecom Equipment 0 Office/Household Furniture & Equipment 0 Medical Equipment 0 Other Machinery & Equipment 0 Total LAND, VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT 0 Storage, Warehousing 0 Distribution & Monitoring 0 Transport & Vehicle Costs 25,000 Logistics Services 0 Total LOGISTICS, TRANSPORT AND STORAGE 25,000 International Staff 0 National Staff 0 National Society Staff 0 Volunteers 48,000 Total PERSONNEL 48,000 Consultants 0 Professional Fees 0 Total CONSULTANTS & PROFESSIONAL FEES 0 Workshops & Training 0 Total WORKSHOP & TRAINING 0 Travel 0 Information & Public Relations 5,000 Office Costs 0 Communications 0 Financial Charges 150 Other General Expenses 0 Shared Office and Services Costs 0 Total GENERAL EXPENDITURES 5,150 Partner National Societies 0 Other Partners (NGOs, UN, other) 0 Total TRANSFER TO PARTNERS 0 Programme and Services Support Recovery 8,552 Total INDIRECT COSTS 8,552 TOTAL BUDGET 140,114 DREF OPERATION BUDGET V