: Hurricane Eta Flash Update No. 01 As of 10 November 2020

This report has been produced by the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office for Belize and United Nations Emergency Technical Team (UNETT), with the support of OCHA and humanitarian partners. The information in this report is based on official preliminary reports from the (NEMO) and Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA). If required, an update will be produced within the next 24 to 48 hours, depending on the evolution of the situation on the ground and the information available from impacted areas.

KEY MESSAGES • Hurricane Eta has been responsible for an average 10- 25 inches across the country of Belize resulting in the recording of significant flood events across the country.

• Initial instances of flooding was reported in Western Belize () impacting several village communities and the principal municipality of San Ignacio Town. Major flooding is now being recorded within the as flood waters move down to the eastern coast of the country.

• As of 06 November 2020, NEMO reported that 86 persons are currently occupying 6 of the 11 opened shelters in Cayo, Belize and Stann Creek districts. Over 150 persons have been rescued and an extremely flooded river nighttime rescue in Calla Creek. Flood warning is still in effect for Cayo and Belize districts. Even if the number of persons in shelters is limited, it should be noted that an undetermined number have relocated to the less or non-affected homes of their family members.

• NEMO’s initial situation report suggests an estimated 30,000 people being affected. Hardest hit communities are Arenal, Benque, Calla Creek, Bullet Tree Falls, Santa Familia, Blackman Eddy, and the downstream villages including Roaring Creek and Belize District communities including Rancho Dolores, Lemonal, Gracie Rock, Hattieville Freetown Sibun and the 12 and 8 miles communities

GENERAL UPDATE

● Prime Minister and a cross section of Ministries and Government entities including Belize Electricity Limited held a Press Conference on 7 Nov at 10:30am. ● At the time of the press conference, there was no loss of life had been reported. ● Power Supply: Unprecedented rise in water levels saw the 25 -30 ft clearance between the Iguana Creek and power lines being breached for the first time since established in 1995. The central transmission system (that powers to hydroplants of Cayo district) was therefore switched off resulting in power outage from San Ignacio to Belmopan. Back up hydro systems have been activated whilst water continues to gradually recede. ● Dam: The Chalillo Dam has reported that the Lake Chalillo reservoir is filled with water currently overflowing approximately 4 meters over the Dam spillway. A recognizance flight over the river however indicates that head water tributaries have returned to normal. ● PG International Airport suffered minor flooding of the runway resulting in flights being temporarily suspended on 6th & morning of 7th November 2020. ● Water supply: Some municipalities and villages were affected as efforts to address flood waters, dredge drainages and restore road networks resulted in underground water supply systems being affected. Water service in Belmopan which was turned off last night is now being restored. Water system in Benque is damaged and the estimated cost

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for replacement is BZD400K. Water service is now restored in most areas in San Ignacio and in the south. According to Belize Water Service, the overall cost for the remaining repair works is estimated at BZD600,000 - BZD700,000. ● Road networks: Some bridges are still underwater, some roads are impassable, especially in the west of the country. George Price Highway between Roaring Creek to Black Man Eddy is underwater. Mile 38 on George Price Highway had been impacted, creating a sinkhole, but was repaired at 4pm yesterday, so now passable. ● Flood water that accumulated in Cayo district continues to move downstream to Belize district and residents are being urged to move to higher ground immediately and safeguard lives, property and livestock. It is being reported that the middle reaches of the Belize River valley are still seeing raises in water levels. ● Search and rescue and relief operations supported by the Belize Coast Guard, the Belize Defence Force and British Forces BATSUB Division are ongoing. ● District EOCs open. ● State of Emergency will not be declared at this stage. ● 10 million BZD have been made immediately available by the Government for the initial response. ● NEMO indicated that it has not been possible yet to undertake a full damage assessment as the event is still ongoing. ● As of the time of the press conference, the 2020 General Elections were going to be held as planned, on Wednesday 11th of November. ● An approaching tropical wave in the Caribbean Sea continues to be monitored as it is expected to deliver more precipitation to Belize, possibly exacerbating ongoing flood conditions.

COORDINATION

● UNETT met on November 3, 2020, November 5, 2020 and November 6, 2020 to discuss the potential impact, better understand the emerging needs and identify areas UN entities could support. Through the RCO and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the initial areas for support to the National Emergency Coordinating Office (NEMO) was determined ● PAHO/WHO Belize in close coordination with the Ministry of Health to determine the status of health services and determine areas for support. ● OCHA’s Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean is providing remote support to UNETT Belize throughout its Humanitarian Advisor based in Mexico and with Information Management capacity from Panama.

PRIORITY SECTORS

HEALTH ● The Director of Health Services reported 06 November (11:25am) via their Facebook account that most facilities are open and operational, except for the clinics in Santa Elena Town (Cayo district) and Santa Teresa () which are currently closed. ● Western Regional Hospital is currently operating on emergency mode so that all outpatient services for now are currently cancelled until further notice. Its flu clinic remains open, 4 patients in the COVID-19 area remain hospitalized. San Ignacio Community Hospital and the Mopan Clinic in Benque remain open for basic and emergency health care needs. The Southern Regional Hospital remains open. ● The KHMH remains open. The COVID-19 unit has one ventilated patient and a total of 9 patients.

EDUCATION ● Schools remain closed with distance and online learning ongoing.

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WASH ● Because of the ongoing COVID-19 emergency response, agreements and workplans with partners already address response activities, as it relates to risk communication messages on WASH and nutrition counselling for pregnant and lactating mothers and caregivers of young children. Emergency response activities will address service delivery for WASH and nutrition hampers as a request has come in from the National Emergency Management Organization for food packets and water. The WASH Multi-sectoral Body, chaired by the Ministry of Health, continues to provide key communication messages on social media, radio and television to address measures for keeping safe in this pandemic and for treating water for safe use.

NEEDS/CHALLENGES

● Immediate needs are food, water and shelter (Initial ask by GoB/ NEMO- 1000 food packages, 1000 one gallons of water, 100 mattress) ● Other supplies: Blankets 1000, Bed sheets 2000, PPEs including N95 mask 5000, Face Shield 1000,Gown, isolation, nonwoven, disp, XL 5000,Plastic aprons 2000, Thermometer – clinical 50 as well as Rain coats, plastic coats 1000, Plastic Tarpaulin F.R. Roll (4x50m) 40,Plastic Tarpaulin F.R. Sheet (4x5m) 250 ● Medicine: Ibuprofen 200 or 400 mg 60000 tablets,Zinc 20 mg (as Zn SO4.H2O) dispersible tabs 60000 tablets, Vitamin D 600 IU (15 mcg) 90000 tablets ● Access to isolated areas remains a concern. Amphibious vehicles may be helpful to access hard to reach or isolated areas in rural Belize ● Water contamination due to overflowing water sources. Water contamination is a major threat to health. The public is advised by Belize Water Supply to store water, and that water in flooded areas must be treated before drinking.

UN RESPONSE

● UNDP is working with the Government of Belize to contribute approximately one quarter (25%) of its initial ask for food packets (250) and cleaning/ sanitation supplies (200) facilitating immediate response to impacted families. ● IOM has provided 200 food packs, water and clorox to support migrant families in shelters in the west and south of Belize ● WFP has prepositioned food kits within the region and is available to provide any additional technical assistance needed in emergency telecommunications and assessments and support to disaster-impacted populations through social protection and cash transfers. ● UNFPA will provide dignity kits based on needs arising from assessments ● PAHO/WHO will provide PPEs, water purification tablets and cleaning supplies when needed, and support for vector control and risk communication on water borne and food borne diseases. ● UNICEF will support M&E, child protection and WASH, PPEs, blankets

USEFUL LINKS OR RESOURCES OF INFORMATION

Websites:

PAHO/WHO: www.paho.org/belize

UNFPA : http://facebook.com/unfpa.caribbean

UNICEF : https://m.facebook.com/UNICEFBelize

UNDP: www.undp.org / www.bz.undp.org

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WFP: www.wfp.org

RELIEFWEB: https://reliefweb.int/disaster/tc-2020-000220-hnd

National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO): https://www.facebook.com/National- Emergency-Management-Organization-NEMO-952810381436643

Government of Belize Press Office Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/GOBPressOffice

Office of the Director of Health Services Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/dhsbelize/

Ministry of Health Belize Website: http://health.gov.bz/www/

For further information, please contact:

Tracey Hutchinson Development Coordination Officer, Strategic Planner and RCO Team Leader Resident Coordinator’s Office for Belize Tel: +501 822-2171 | Mobile: +501 610-4827 Email: [email protected]

Dr. Noreen Jack UNETT Chair PAHO/WHO Office for Belize Tel: +501 224-4885, 5536 | Mobile: +501 610-0188 Email: [email protected]