OCHA Situation Report No. 5
Belize - Hurricane/Tropical Depression Iris - The Caribbean
9 October 2001


1.  The areas affected are coastal and inland villages in the southern
districts of Stann Creek and Toledo, whose population is amongst the most
poor in Belize.  The capital Belmopan and Belize City have not been
affected.

(This message is not an official hurricane warning or alert for any
country: The National Weather Center in Miami reports that at 1500 GMT
that hurricane Iris had been downgraded to a tropical depression (maximum
sustained winds of near 35 mph or 55 km/hr).

2.  So far, the confirmed number of fatalities is 22 people, all dead in a
boat that capsized. Some 1,000 people reported homeless.

3.  Very preliminary data on damage (provided in particular by the
National Red Cross Society)  indicate damage to housing, schools and
communication infrastructure in dozens of southern towns and villages.
Significant damage has been reported with regard to the important
industries of banana, citrus, grain and aqua-culture (shrimp), all located
in southern Belize.

4.  The International Airport is operational, and the western and northern
highways are opened. The transportation situation in the south is not
clear.

5.  The Hospital in Belize City reopened.


National Response

6.  The National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) including the
Foreign Assistance Committee met this morning and will be in session again
this afternoon.


International Response

7.  The United Nations Disaster Management Team are coordinating their
efforts with NEMO. Preparations underway to access emergency assistance
funds. PAHO/WHO health assessment team is arriving today (PAHO has moved
back to Belize City).

8.  At the request of NEMO, OCHA is dispatching the UNDAC Team put on
standby yesterday.


Requirements

9.  No assessments available yet, but preliminary reports refer to needs
for shelter, water, food and fuel.

10.  So far, the Government has not made a request for international
assistance.


Contributions

Donors              Items                          Value

UNDP                Transport, support to          USD 50,000
                    coordination

Norway              Water Supply Units provided in
                    connection with Hurricane Keith
                    (September 2000) and now put to
                    good use again.

UK                  Tents                          No value indicated

US                  Tents                          No value indicated

Inter American
Development Bank    Cash contributions             approx.
(IDB)               50,000 BZD                     USD 25,400


11.  For coordination purposes, donors are requested to inform OCHA
Geneva, on relief missions/pledges/contributions and their corresponding
values by item. Donors are encouraged to notify OCHA Geneva of their
contributions to this disaster using the OCHA Standardised Contributions
Recording Format, available electronically on OCHA Internet Website at
http://www.reliefweb.int.

12.  OCHA is prepared to serve as a channel for cash contributions to be
used for immediate relief assistance, in coordination/consultation with
relevant organizations in the United Nations system. OCHA provides donors
with written confirmation and pertinent details concerning the utilization
of the funds contributed. Funds should be transferred to:

Bank name:      Chase Manhattan Bank, NY
Address:   International Agencies Branch
1166, Avenue of Americas, 17th floor
New York, NY 10036-2708 USA
A/C name:  United Nations Geneva General Fund
A/C:       485-001802
ABA Code:  021000021 (US Banking Code)
Swift Code:     CHASU33
Reference:      OCHA ? Belize ? Hurricane Iris


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: +41-22-91712 34
Fax: +41-22-917 00 23
E-mail: ochagva@un.org

In case of emergency only: Tel. +41-22-917 20 10

Desk Officers (OCHA Response Coordination Branch):
  Mr. E. Haegglund / Ms. M. Kondo
  Direct Tel. +41-22-917 32 99 / 1997

Press contact:
  (GVA)  Ms. Elizabeth Byrs, direct Tel. +41-22-917 26 56
  (NYC)  Ms. Phyllis Lee, direct Tel. +1-212-963 48 32


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