: Hurricane Earl Situation Report No. 3 (as of 9 Aug 2016) United Nations Technical Team (UNETT)

This report is produced by UNETT Belize in collaboration with humanitarian partners. It covers the period from [04 to 09 Aug 2016]. This will be the last report. Highlights

 Some 2,000 families (10,000 people) have been affected in six districts.  Some 170 people remain in shelters, half are in .  Water systems are being restored, however, some rural areas in the still lack electricity.  Flooding remains a concern in many areas in the and the Belize River Valley as rivers and damns remain at high levels.  Damage to houses, utilities, agriculture and tourism industry.  Preliminary assessments indicate direct losses of BZ$220 million (some US$110 million) to infrastructure and productive sector however the government anticipates economic losses to be acute in the agriculture sector.

Source: Redhum The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations.

Situation Overview

Relief efforts are still ongoing after Hurricane Earl ripped through Belize as a category 1 hurricane on 4 August. The Government continues to provide immediate relief to the affected people and communities. About 2,000 families (10,000 people) have been affected. This number is expected to rise slightly, especially in regards to loss of livelihoods, as assessments continue. Some 170 people remain in shelters (down from 3,500), half in Belize City. The hardest hit districts were Belize District, Orange Walk, Cayo and Stann Creek. The Government continues to restore critical lifeline facilities, ensure operational normalcy at all ports, and assess agriculture, fisheries, transportation, utilities, communication, infrastructure, housing, cultural, and environmental situation. Immediate humanitarian relief assessments are in their final stage and a separate longer economic impact assessment will follow. In some areas of Belize City, , and Belize River Valley are without water until electricity is restored. Belizean people have been very resilient in covering minor repairs to roofs of their houses, however, they need support to replace damaged household articles and cover expenses such as school fees and supplies.

Respiratory, gastroenteritis, skin and vector-borne diseases and risk injury are a concern, primarily in flooded and damaged areas. The mental health situation also need attention, particularly among women and children in shelter and affected communities.

Assessments have found a need for assistance in refugee and asylum seeking communities in Armenia and Valley of Peace, who are in extremely vulnerable situations due loss of housing and livelihoods from Earl.

Environmental concerns remain especially with a large amount of debris from fallen trees, which present a heightened risk of forest fire and respiratory problems during the dry season.

United Nations Technical Team

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Funding

UNDP, UNICEF, UNRC (through OCHA) and PAHO/WHO are activating internal funding mechanisms to support government response efforts. This contribution could represent up to US$200,000 to support NEMO and ministry counterparts to assist the most affected populations in housing, WASH, health and early recovery initiatives. IFRC has released a DREF for $143,000 and continues to work with the Government and UN agencies in relief efforts. USAID is supporting the Red Cross in water systems and distribution of family kits. All humanitarian partners, including donors and recipient agencies, are encouraged to inform OCHA's Financial Tracking Service (FTS - http://fts.unocha.org) of cash and in-kind contributions by e-mailing: [email protected] Humanitarian Response

Early Recovery The impact on livelihoods is still being assessed. Preliminary assessments show significant losses in agriculture and there is concern for the amount of fallen trees, which in previous years has presented a source of fires during the dry season causing respiratory diseases.

Agriculture and Fisheries Indicators for agriculture show possible devastating impacts in one of the main agricultural belt. Damaged crops include banana, sugarcane, corn, poultry, vegetables and rice. Losses to lobster fisheries is still being assessed. – 825 acres of crops damaged Orange Walk – losses in corn crops represent an estimated BZ$7.5 million. Significant losses in chicken farming as well. Cayo District – corn losses represent BZ$42 million was less impacted but still suffered some BZ$120,000 to banana crops Tourism Significant impact to the tourism industry in Ambergis Caye and Caye Caulker with piers destroyed (70% and 40% respectively) and infrastructure damages to small-scale tourism operators and food and artisan vendors.

Needs:  Animal feed, seeds, fertilizer, small farming equipment

Health Minimal damages reported to health facilities. Given the concern for flooding in the weeks to come, water-and vector-borne in flooded areas is a concern as well as ensuring safe drinking water. Psychosocial support for families and children is an issue in some affected communities. Needs:  Needs for health safety communication awareness messages printed and for TV / radio.  Vector control equipment and supplies  Repellent  Impregnated nets  Replacement of damaged IT equipment for the national health information system  Back-up water supply.  Electric generators for health centers.  Chlorine for disinfection and water treatment.

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Response:  PAHO/WHO deployed three experts to assist with assessments and is working with the Ministry of Health to assess eight health facilities as part of the SMART hospitals initiative and opportunity to identify gaps from the passage of Hurricane Earl.  The Red Cross is providing a water purifier in response to a request from NEMO.  The Red Cross and UNICEF have family hygiene kits available.  The Red Cross has an expert in psychosocial support on stand-by.  UNICEF and PAHO/WHO will produce public awareness messages to be disseminated through different channels.

Shelter / Housing There are some 170 people who remain in official shelters, however the number of people staying with friends and relatives are still unknown. Approximately 2,000 people have lost their homes in the Belize district and Belize City, housing assessments are still underway.

Most of the damage has been found in light, wooden structures with zinc sheets. Structural standards are minimal, which has increased the extent of the damage.

Many families were able to repair minor damages to roofing but do not have enough funds to replace damaged housing supplies. The needs identified are for families that have lost their homes and belonging.

Needs:  There is a need for Construction material; zinc, lumber, plycem, screws, saws and hammers.  Non Food items are required – mattresses, treated mosquito nets, cleaning supplies, stoves, refrigerators, camping beds, clothing

Response:  The IFRC deployed shelter and assessment experts to help with assessments.  IFRC and UNICEF have provided family kits  UNDP is supporting roof and housing repair, Belize City clean-up and debris management  UNHCR is supporting repair of houses and household items for refugee families  The Government has distributed close to 3,000 family kits

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Belize City, Caye Caulker, and Belize River Valley remain without water until electricity is restored and there is temporary water outage in some communities in the Cayo District. Rough estimated value to address repairs and replacement of water systems is at BZ$10 million. Vector and water-borne diseases are of concern. Needs:  Back-up water supply and electric generators for health centers, chlorine for disinfection and water treatment, risk communication and PPES for first responders.  Needs have been identified for water and purification accessories and purification tablets  Water testing kits and supplies Response:  Emergency water distribution is being provided in areas that do not have water supply  UNICEF has provided 50 hygiene kits to the Ministry of Social Development  IFRC and UNICEF have launched community campaigns to promote good hygiene practices.

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General Coordination

Authorities are responding to the situation and coordinating relief efforts with humanitarian partners in the country. The UN System continues to support government efforts through the Executive Committee and UNETT meetings. The following experts were deployed to support authorities: IFRC deployed experts in: shelter, livelihood, cash transfer, information management, and assessments. OCHA deployed an Information Management Officer to support the United Nations System PAHO/WHO deployed a health coordination expert, an environmental health expert and a health facilities assessment expert. UNDP is coordinating with NEMO and Ministries to source expertise on debris management

Background on the crisis Hurricane Earl made landfall early Thursday morning near Belize City as a Category 1 Hurricane with estimated maximum sustained winds of 80 mph. The track changed just before landfall which occurred just south of Belize City placing the city within the radius of maximum winds. The system took about fifteen hours to cross the country. The Hurricane affected primarily Belize City, Belize Rural, Orange Walk, Cayo, and the Stann Creek districts. NEMO declared the “ALL CLEAR” for Belize on Thursday, 4th August at 9:00 a.m.

For further information, please contact: Christian Salazar, UN Resident Coordinator, [email protected] Tel: +503 2209 3501, Cell +503 7797 0077 Ivan Yerovi, Representative, [email protected] Tel: +501 223-3609, Cell +501 610-0429 Denise Robateau, UNETT Coordinator, [email protected] Tel: +501 223-3609, Cell +501 610 1108

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