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Belize

Hurricane Iris Situation Report #3


Event
Hurricane Iris affected Belize during the period October 8-9, 2001. Iris a Category 4 hurricane with winds up to 220 kilometers per hour (140 mph) and heavy rainfall affected the southern coastal and inland villages of Belize.

Areas Affected

The primary areas affected were the districts of Stann Creek and Toledo.

Significant damage was experienced in the agriculture, housing and tourism sectors. According to Government sources, 21, 568 persons directly affected and 47,000 persons are at risk. Twenty-two (22) persons were confirmed dead, 8 missing and 3 718 homes destroyed. In the Toledo District alone, 72% of the homes were damaged whilst 50% of the homes in the Stann Creek District were also damaged. The majority of the population in these communities are below the poverty line. Over 3,000 persons are in shelter in Toledo alone

Declaration

On Wednesday October 9, 2001, the Prime Minister of Belize declared the districts of Stann Creek and Toledo disaster areas.

Damage by Sector

Health

  • In the Stan Creek District damage to health centers is estimated at BZE $96,000. Centers were damaged in the communities of Monkey River, Placencia, Seine Bight, Independence, Nueva San Juan, Bella Vista Sagitun, Cowpen and Santa Rosa.
  • In the Toledo District damage to health centers is estimated at BZE $86,000 in the communities of Pueblo Viejo, San Antonio, San Pedro, Columbia, Santa Teresa, Barranco and San Roman.
  • Three months medical supplies have been lost and public health programmes such as vaccination, family planning programmes and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases have been interrupted.
  • Approximately 50 000 persons are at adverse health risk conditions due to contaminated water and debris. Sanitation and vector control activities are difficult to conduct due to the amount of debris.
  • Water supplies have also been disrupted, as water lines are broken.
  • To date 3 845 persons have been treated in the affected communities. No significant change in the pattern of illnesses/injuries.
  • Medical teams have been dispatched to the affected areas.
  • Trenches are being dug for latrines for high risk villages - Bella Vista, San Pablo, Trio, Bladen, Swasey, Mango Walk and Monkey River.


Agriculture

  • Extensive damage has occurred to crops (rice and corn), fruit trees, bananas plantations, cacao, citrus, hot peppers, root crops and vegetable.
  • Most livestock is dead or missing.
  • Shrimp farms near Placencia and Independence suffered from seepage of contaminated water which may cause up to 25% damage of their production.
  • Estimated losses in the agricultural sector is approximately BZE $149M.
  • Estimated losses in some key areas are as follows:
Item
Cost (BZE$)
Citrus (7,880 acres)
2.3 Million
Banana (5,512 acres)
50.5 Million
Aquaculture
2.6 Million
Fisheries
2.6 Million
Marine Productivity
3.3 Million

Infrastructure and Public Buildings

  • 19 schools have been destroyed, 12 have lost the roof and others have suffered extensive damage.
  • 21 Government buildings have been damaged, including community centers and police stations.
  • Two (2) police stations have been destroyed and 7 damaged.
  • No electricity in affected areas. The estimated damage to BEL is BZE $2.5M.
  • Roads in the southern part of the country are now operational. However estimated damage to roads, bridges and culverts is BZE$1.7 Million.
  • It is estimated that damage to BTL is BZE$3M.
  • Damage to the Port Authority (Cayes) is BZE$68,020.
  • Total infrastructural losses is estimated at BZE $16.3M.


Tourism

  • Reports indicate that the tourist destinations have been severely affected.
  • Placencia and some of the southern offshore islands have suffered destruction of buildings and infrastructure.
  • The assessment report has determined that 95% of the hotels, (82 in total representing 20% of the total number of hotels in the country), restaurants and other tour operations were damaged or totally destroyed.
  • Damage to the tourism sector is estimated at BZE $75M. In addition, loss of revenue for the Tourism sector is estimated at BZE $2.5M.


Response Actions

Local Response Actions

  • The Government of Belize has approved $2.4M to start rebuilding homes in the southern district. A special Cabinet Committee has been established to coordinate this effort. The money will be granted as concessionary loans.
  • Cabinet has also decided to create and print a special postage stamp to raise funds for the reconstruction of the southern districts.
  • The Food and Shelter Committee chaired by the Ministry of Human Development has expanded the scope of immediate relief operations to all affected villages with basic emergency needs of food. It moved over 3000 persons to temporary shelters.
  • The Foreign Assistance Committee continues to compile information on local contributions which has originated from other Belizeans. Contributions comprise of food, building materials, other supplies and money.
  • Several local businesses have been making donations of food, clothing, water and tents.


Regional & International

  • The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is in the process of developing an aid package for Belize.
  • The Government and people of the Bahamas have donated US$ 300 000 towards the rebuilding of 50 houses.
  • A number of pledges have been made and these can be found in the Summary of Assistance.
  • The United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team has carried out a mission to the disaster affected districts focusing on communities not yet assessed. The data is being shared with NEMO so as to facilitate the Inter-Agency Appeal for assistance.


CDERA Actions

  • The Coordinator of CDERA visited Belize in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Iris to provide critical guidance in the coordination of the overall response efforts.
  • CDERA has also been liaising with CARICOM and Member Governments to garner support for Belize.
  • The CDERA Coordinating Unit has also initiated a number of proposals to solicit assistance from its cadre of donor agencies for the Government and people of Belize. Agencies that have made commitments so far include:
    • ECHO: US$ 135 000 to assist 60 families with house repairs and basic household supplies. This assistance is being channeled through PAHO.
    • CDB: US$100 000 which will provide assistance for transportation, logistics and telecommunications.
    • CIDA: US $34 000 for housing recovery efforts and safe construction training

US Government: Technical personnel

Current Situation (Overview)

  • Food and water is available for 14 days.
  • There are insufficient tents available to aid in the opening of Schools.
  • Sufficient medication is available based on the threats to respiratory illnesses and rash.
  • Insufficient communication equipment is available for remote villages.


Needs

The Government of Belize has indicated that there is a need for BZE $40M in new financing for housing.

In addition, the following needs have been identified:


ITEM
#Persons
STAN CREEK (Independencia/
Placencia)
#Persons
TOLEDO
(affected Villages)
Water
Food (general, beans, flour, cornmeal, cooking oil)
3000
7000
Food for children
600
800
Tents
40
20
Generator
5
Lumber/plywood
3000
1000
Chain Saws
7
10
Clothing (all ages, mostly children)
1000
1200
School Supplies (chairs and desk for # of schools)
15
25
Satellite phone
3
VHF/HF base stations
7