UN appeals for $32 million of aid for Grenada as it recovers from Hurricane Ivan

The United Nations today launched an emergency appeal to help the people of Grenada recover from the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Ivan, which earlier this month wiped out much of the Caribbean nation's infrastructure and killed at least 37 people.

UN humanitarian agencies said they need $32.6 million over the next six months to meet Grenada's immediate needs, including repairs to shelter, the sanitation system and the interrupted supply of clean water.

The total also includes funds for the re-opening of many schools closed because of the extensive damage they suffered during the high winds.

The UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team in Grenada has reported that daily life is slowly returning to normal, with banks, public services, shops and a limited amount of restaurants and hotels resuming business.

But the power supply has only been restored to hospitals and government ministries, the water supply remains irregular and a lack of available transport is hampering the distribution of food and other relief supplies.

Three experts from the World Food Programme (WFP) were due to arrive today to spend the next three months providing logistical support and expertise to Grenada's Government.

The Grenada appeal does not include an amount for food relief, but the WFP is asking for $180,000 to cover its immediate needs in Grenada and Jamaica, which was also struck by Hurricane Ivan. The Cayman Islands, Cuba and the United States were among the other countries hit by the storm.