OCHA Situation Report No. 6
Belize - Hurricane Iris - The Caribbean
10 October 2001


The Government of Belize Appeals for International Assistance Situation

1.  The Government of Belize has requested international assistance, and
declared the following towns/villages as Disaster Areas, after the passage
of Hurricane Iris on 8 October 2001:

Placencia (peninsula town)
Dump (Southern Highway) to Independence (across from Placencia)
Mafredi (near Punta Gorda) to San Vicente
Big Creek (south of Independence, across from Placencia)
Aguacate, Otoxha, Criquehute and San Jose (Inland, near Toledo / south
  Guatemalan border)

2.  Preliminary reports indicate damage as follows:

    Dead: 11 (Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs/MFA)
 Missing: 11 (MFA)
Homeless: 8,000 in the Toledo district (UN Resident Coordinator's
          Office/UNRC) - 5,000 in the Stann Creek district (UNRC)
  Houses: 80 per cent destroyed in Placencia (MFA) - 90 per cent
          destroyed in Seine Bight (MFA)


3.  Tourist destinations on coastal villages, such as Placencia, Sein
Bight and Independence, have suffered considerable damage. A 'dusk to
dawn' curfew was in effect starting for the night of 9 October.



Logistic Systems and Facilities

4.  The Western and Northern Highways remain open, the International
Airport in Belize City is operational, domestic flights have resumed, and
buses have resumed their runs in all parts of the country except in parts
of the south.



National Response

5.  The Foreign Assistance Committee of the Governmental National
Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) met on 9 October. Preliminary
damage assessment and lists (food, water tents, housing materials,
medicines and electric generators) will be prepared.

6.  The Belmopan Branch of the Belize Red Cross Society (BRCS) has
launched a national appeal for cash, clothing and food. Distribution
centers in Punta Gorda and Toledo have been set up by the BRCS and plastic
raincoats, blankets and kitchen kits are being provided to those affected.



International Response

7.  The United Nations Disaster Management Team continues its coordination
efforts with NEMO. In response to the request made by NEMO, OCHA has
dispatched a United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC)
team, consisting of four members, who are to join one national member in
Belize.

8.  PAHO/WHO health assessment team is in Belize, and started damage
assessment with the Ministry of Health. WFP is fielding one staff from El
Salvador to Belize.

9.  Two disaster response/delegates from the International Federation of
Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) arrived in Belize City on 9
October, in order to coordinate the implementation of a damage and needs
assessment together with the Belize Red Cross Society.



Contributions

10.  The following contributions has been reported by UNDP-El Salvador:

   Norway - Water supply units (pre-positioned after Hurricane
            Keith)
   United Kingdom - Tents (No value indicated)
   United States - Tents (No value indicated)
   IDB - BZD 50,000 (USD 25,400)
   PAHO/WHO - USD 50,000
   UNDP/ERD - USD 100,000
   UNICEF - USD 50,000


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
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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