OCHA Situation Report No. 8 Belize - Mexico - Hurricane "Keith" 11 October 2000
Situation 1. The UNDP sub-Office in Belize reports that extensive flooding continues, with floodwaters rising in areas along the rivers in the Orange Walk and Corozal districts and subside slowly in the upstream villages of the Belize district. Some access roads villages are under up to 6-7 feet of water and villages have been completely cut off. The largest immediate and long term concern now is for those in flooded areas where water should remain for weeks due to the low lands and poor drainage. Transportation is restricted except by boat in some areas and evacuation from villages in affected areas continue. The state of emergency continues nation-wide. =20 The dusk to dawn curfew continues only for the islands of San Pedro and Caye Caulker. 2. A consolidated needs and damage assessment is expected until the end of the week. Latest reports indicate: - Road and bridge infrastructures - The Western highway still has a few inches of water in one section but is open to almost all traffic. However, the flood-waters on the Northern highway are rising with over two feet reported in some areas just before Orange Walk Town going northwards. - Agriculture - Damage to domestic and export crops is still increasing and will have long lasting effects. - Tourism - While damage assessment to the tourism sector continues, rehabilitation/reconstruction activities have already begun. - Health- The threat of diseases related to dead animals, contaminated water and food is very high. Reports of sanitation-related diseases such as skin infections, diarrhea and food poisoning are on the increase. A major preventative health campaign has begun. Emergency requirements 3. The Government of Belize issued a preliminary list of emergency supplies, which includes, inter alia, building materials, electric generators, food and clean water. This list is available at OCHA Internet Website at http://www.reliefweb.int and a hard copy may be provided by OCHA upon request. 4. Medical needs are being assessed by the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) Office in Belize. Questions related to the existing medical needs can be addressed to the PAHO/WHO Office in Belmopan, Belize: telephone number: 501-2-44885 and fax number: 501-2-30917. 5. According to the National Management Emergency Organization (NEMO), donors interested in making cash contributions for this emergency can do it through "Hurricane Keith Relief Fund" accounts, set up by all Belize Embassies/Missions abroad. International Assistance 6. The UN Emergency Disaster Management Team continues to coordinate the UN response from the UN House in the capital, Belmopan. 7. The World Food Program (WFP) adviser from the WFP regional office in Nicaragua will be presenting his report and recommendations soon. PAHO/WHO continues to work closely with the Health Committee of NEMO. The report from broader (PAHO) rapid needs assessment is presently being prepared. 8. The two SUMA trainers and local trainees have set up the management system for international assistance. The system should begin to produce useful information early this week. Contributions reported to OCHA 9. A list of cash and in kind contributions reported to OCHA, as of 11 October 2000, is attached to the present situation report. 10. OCHA is prepared to serve as channel for cash contributions to be used for immediate relief assistance, in coordination/consultation with relevant organizations in the United Nations system. Funds should be transferred to OCHA account No. CO-590.160.0, Swift code: UBSWCHZ12A at the UBS AG, P.O. Box 2770, CH-1211 Geneva 2, with reference: OCHA - Belize - Hurricane "Keith." OCHA provides donors with written confirmation and pertinent details concerning the utilization of the funds contributed. 11. For coordination purposes, donors are requested to inform OCHA Geneva, as indicated below, on relief missions/pledges/contributions and their corresponding values by item. 12. Any future updates on contributions to this disaster may be found by clicking on Financial Tracking at the top of the page for this disaster on the OCHA Internet Website (http://www.reliefweb.int). Donors are requested to verify this table and inform OCHA Geneva of corrections/additions/values. Donors are encouraged to notify OCHA Geneva of their contributions to this disaster using the OCHA Standardized Contributions Recording Format, available electronically in the above mentioned Financial Tracking Website. 13. This situation report, together with further information on ongoing emergencies, is also available on the OCHA Internet Website at http://www.reliefweb.int Telephone: +41-22-917 12 34 Fax: +41-22-917 00 23 In case of emergency only: Tel. +41-22-917 20 10 Desk Officers: Mr. E. Haegglund / Mr. C. Monteiro-Pereira / Ms. M. Kondo Direct Tel. +41-22-917 32 99 / 13 83 / 19 97 Press contact: (in GVA) Mr. Donato Kiniger-Passigli, direct Tel. +41-22-917 26 53 EMERGENCY SUPPLY LIST (list in order of priority needs, separate from medical list) Item Quantity Remarks SHELTER CONSTRUCTION Housing Construction materials Metal Roofing 17,500 26 gauge 10 ft. sheets Plywood 17,500 minimum =BD inch sheets Timber (treated pine 50,000 Board feet of 2x4x10=20 or similar) minimum housing grade Timber (treated pine 150,000 Board feet of 1x6x10 or similar) minimum housing grade Nails, screws Electrical wire and fittings Plumbing - pvc pipes, bath & kitchen fitting Miscellaneous construction tools Multiples for at least 30 including electric and manual work crew required operated tools Portable generators 30 For construction work Temporary Shelters (40' x 60') 25 For accommodating family of 6-10 each Pre Fabricated Houses 25 Used while homes are repaired Plastic sheeting for temporary 1200 roll roof Camp beds / cots 2000 UTILITIES & ESSENTIAL SERVICES Reserve Osmosis Water System 3 Complete with attachments (salt to drinking water) 300 Kw 60 Hz Diesel Power 4 With Operators for 24 hr Generators operation Chemical Toilets (single) 60 Portable Toilets (single) 100 Flourescent battery lamps & 100 2 spare batteries each batteries 25 Kw Generator (Hospital) 1 Stand-by for hospital Chain Saws 20 5 hp medium Equipped mobile unit ambulance 1 Equipped regular ambulance 1 4 wheel drive vehicle (diesel) 2 Ford Ranger double cab VHF Radios and repeaters 40 10 base sets and 30 others HF Radios and accessories 40 10 base sets and 30 others FOOD & PERSONAL HYGENE Meals ready to eat (MRE) 100,000 Drinking water for 10,000 for 5 50,000 Until RO equipment in place days gal Field Kitchen 4 Completely equipped Baby food (1st, 2nd, 3rd) 5000 Cash for 10,000 for 5 days To purchase fresh food Disposable plates/forks and 10,000 spoons Body Soap 50,000 Antiseptic disinfectant 500 cases Toothpaste and brush (toiletries) 5000 Toiletries set Mosquito & Insect Repellent Body 5000 btl Spray Blankets 5000 Towels and wash cloth 5000 N.B. All our Embassies have set up "Hurricane Keith Relief Fund" Accounts to accept monetary donations. All shipments should be consigned to "Hurricane Keith Relief", Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Belize, Tel: 501-8-22322. Foreign Assistance Committee - am 6/10/00 distributed by - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Volunteers in Technical Assistance Disaster Information Center lists: www.vita.org/listsub.htm sitreps nat-dsr web: www.vita.org fireline - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -