Updates from Indonesia

GER³ has conducted initial needs assessments with a particular focus on debris management and has initiated response programs to address needs of the most vulnerable. A small GER³ team has developed on site, including several local Indonesian team members. Equipment (generators, excavators, bulldozers, etc) have been procured and debris management operations have begun.

New debris estimates from Urban Resilience Platform (urplatform.eu) emphasize the significant debris management work ahead in Indonesia. Estimates suggest over 6.6 million tonnes of debris. GER³ will continue to assess options for debris removal and reuse in various communities, particularly in schools.

GER³ is now working with the government of Indonesia to help clear a school in Palu that was hit by the tsunami. The GER³ excavator has already helped to clear over half of the site. The team is considering demolition activities, assessing which materials can be salvaged and reused, and developing plans for redevelopment.

Deployment to Sulawesi, Indonesia

In response to the recent earthquake and tsunami in Sulawesi, Indonesia, GER³ is deploying a disaster response and recovery team to conduct initial assessments, deliver assistance and design programming focused on debris management and building back better. GER³ will be targeting support to local communities (households, schools and health facilities) supporting them to manage all of the debris and shelter challenges they currently face.

Our team will work with community members to identify the most vulnerable areas, understand what the community needs are and provide support to help targeted communities recover as quickly as possible. GER³ will seek to develop programming with partners (Indonesian and international) that meets immediate and longer-term needs in a manner that respects local practices, is sustainable (usually involving the recycling of materials) and high impact.

Additional updates will be coming, but also be sure to follow our work on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter!

Hurricane Florence Response

In response to Hurricane Florence, GER³ is deploying two disaster response specialists to North Carolina with response and recovery equipment (including water pumps, boats for access and rescue as needed, clean-up kits, telecommunications equipment, personal protective equipment, and more). GER³ will be targeting support to especially vulnerable families affected by the flooding in North and South Carolina. Our team will work with community members to identify most vulnerable families, understand what their needs are and provide support to get them back into their homes as quickly as possible. Likely support includes:

• Temporary boat rescue
• Muck outs and debris clearance
• Pumps (for pumping water from homes)
• Dehumidifiers
• Clean-up kits
• Identification and supply of contractors to support with mold remediation and targeted building repair (e.g. drywall).

GER³ is looking forward to partnering with other organizations in the area to have a deep impact on targeted families. If you are interested in supporting GER³'s efforts in response to Hurricane Florence, please contact GER³.

More updates to come!

Google Maps Image: 2:10pm EST, September 14.

Support to Local Habitat for Humanity

GER³ supported a local chapter of Habitat for Humanity by bringing tornado recovery supplies to Amherst County, Virginia. After being hit by an EF 2 tornado on April 15, the county is still recovering and rebuilding the over 140 houses and structures severely damaged by the storm. Volunteers Margaret and Thomas Bacon helped load a truck provided by GER³ in Winchester and transported the donations to the Habitat in Amherst County.

Wrapping up Support to the Waitt Foundation in Barbuda

GER³ staff have officially returned home after providing over four months of support to the Waitt Foundation in Antigua and Barbuda.

The Waitt Foundation has been operating in Antigua and Barbuda since 2014, providing resources and expertise to help conserve the islands' ocean resources. After Hurricane Irma struck Barbuda on September 6^th 2017, Waitt converted its resources to provide recovery services for the affected population through the Barbuda Recovery and Conservation Trust (BRC Trust).

With support from GER³ day-to-day operational leadership, the BRC Trust operation has employed over 30 Barbudan workers, transported 828 people back to Barbuda and provided over 300 people with social services. BRC Trust programs also helped to support two Barbudan restaraunts, sponsored over 80 Barbudan children living in Antigua to attend a swimming and football camp, and helped to feed and shelter over 130 dogs abandoned on the island after the storm.

For more information, please visit the GER Projects Page.

Re-Initiation of Haiti Operations

GER³ reinitiated its Hurricane Matthew Sustainable Tree Recovery program in select communities of Dame Marie, Haiti in early 2018, thanks to a generous contribution from the MacFarlane Foundation. In just under two months the team has successfully cleared over 450 square meters of fallen trees and created 300 wooden planks from recovered wood. Eighty percent of these planks are given to the landowner to rebuild structures and livelihoods, while the remaining planks are given to local municipalities to fashion into structures for schools, health centres and communities. The program is estimated to have over 1,000 beneficiaries, including paid workers, landowners, staff and community members affected by the storm.

See pictures from the operation at the GER³ Projects Page.

Back to Barbuda

GER³ representative Al Panico will be stationed on Barbuda for the next three months to run a pilot recovery operation on behalf of the Waitt Foundation. The program will focus on community-based recovery efforts and protection of marine biological ecosystems.

For more, please contact Drew Souders, who will be running remote support for the operation, at drew.souders@ger3.org.

Assessment Team Deploys to US Virgin Islands

GER³ will be sending an assessment team to the US Virgin Island on Wednesday, October 11th in partnership with J/P Haitian Relief Organization. Tim Williams (tim.williams@ger3.org) and Jason Riffe (jason@jphro.org) will arrive at Henry E. Rohlsen Airport in Saint Croix with the equipment required to immediately begin evaluating the needs of affected communities, and how GER³ may be able to support recovery efforts.

Support to Sint Maarten Continues

Yesterday, the GER³ team successfully recovered 9 classrooms at the Leonard Connor School. Working in partnership with Tzu Chi, GER³ provided technical guidance, supervision and supplies, while Tzu Chi provided volunteers and food/water. As a result of GER³'s intervention, the teachers and workers will now have access to their classrooms to prepare for reopening next Monday. In addition, the Ministry of Education was able to send contractors to the school to start repairing windows, something it was unable to do before due to access issues.

Today the team will focus on a household, previously identified by GER³, that is in desperate need of debris removal. The residents are elderly and handicapped, and have remained in their home amongst the debris with only a partial roof. GER³ will work with Tzu Chi to remove the debris from the house and restore their home as quickly as possible.

Photos of debris removal at Leonard Connor School:

Update from the Caribbean

GER³ conducted several rapid assessments, attended insightful shelter meetings, and is now working with communities to identify greatest needs. Yesterday, the team worked closely with the Tzu Chi foundation Sint Maarten, distributing food in the Sucker Garden community. Today they will be clearing debris at the Leonard Connor School in Cay Bay, in hopes of reopening the school on October 2nd.