The following Belize report comes from UNICEF 1). The affected area after the passage of Hurricane Iris (Stann Creek and Toledo Districts) is the poorest region of the country. The majority of this particularly vulnerable population is made up of Mayan and Garifuna communities, which are the ethnic groups that experience the highest rates of poverty of the country (up to 58% of people in Toledo fall below the poverty line, in comparison to the national rate of 35%). 2.) It is estimated that approximately 50,000 people are at risk of adverse health conditions. The population movements and the effects on environment related to the disaster increases the risk of endemic diseases spread. In addition, months of medical supply are lost, public health programs are interrupted and the tons of debris make difficult to begin vector control. 3.) 2,571 houses, 21 public buildings, schools and 17 primary health centers were damaged or destroyed. Some villages are totally destroyed. The poorest sectors of the population who live in the affected areas have almost no possibilities of rebuilding with their own resources. There are approximately 10,000 persons currently living in temporary shelters who require direct humanitarian assistance. The majority of these people will require assistance until such time as they can re-initiate productive activities and resolve their housing problem. 4.) The plight of children in the affected areas is of particular concern. Indeed children in Toledo are particularly vulnerable in present circumstances, specially considering the historical comparative weakness of Toledo health services. The in-country differences in mortality rates reflect the disparity and access of quality health care. Of the 35 health centers operating throughout the country only four are operational in the Toledo District where the population is widely dispersed and mobility is difficult, making access to health services more difficult for a population that is the poorest in the country. Furthermore, in as far as malnutrition is concerned, growth retardation among the Toledo Mayans is more than 40% in children between 6-9 years old. In 1998 the infant mortality rates (IMR) and the under-five mortality rates were 21.5 and 42 per 1000 live births respectively. If we add to this poor quality of health services available in temporary shelters, the lack of adequate water sanitation facilities and in particular the lack of potable water; children could be facing a potentially explosive health threat. 5.) Most of the villages in Toledo that have been affected directly by the hurricane depend on subsistence farming. The recent hurricane has had a devastating effect on the capacity of this sector of the affected population to sustain in the immediate future their traditional livelihoods. Indeed, the hurricane destroyed the upcoming harvest of rice, beans and above all corn (over 50% destruction), as well as fruits, vegetables, and a large portion of their stock of chickens and pigs (which traditionally represent one of their main reserve assets). Considering the dependence on this type of activity of these vulnerable populations, as their only source of food and revenue, this has been a severe blow on their capacity to guarantee their own food security at least until the next harvest in March 2002. 6.) On a wider scale, the agricultural sector experienced significant and in some areas devastating damage. Indeed, over 12,000 acres of banana, rice, corn, and cacao were lost and a number of grain warehouses were destroyed. The cost for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the agriculture sector (productive infrastructure and services) is already estimated at over US$ 45,220,222. The fishing resources of several hundred fishermen have been damaged or destroyed and like farmers, fishermen are in need of support for the rehabilitation. Fisheries total loss is up US$ 4,860,000. 7.) Communication and electric power infrastructure also experienced significant damage and several areas will be without telephone and electricity for several weeks. 8.) Preliminary assessment also shows significant environmental damage environmental. The 145 mph winds slit trees in two or tore them out at their roots. The destruction of forest resources around villages that traditionally have utilized building materials from these forests will increase the already precarious situation the affected people are in. Following a request from the Government of Belize, a United Nations Disaster Assessment and Co-ordination Team was mobilized on 10 October and has subsequently undertaken a full damage and needs assessment mission of the affected areas. The immediate needs include food, cooking materials, water supply, medicines, clothing (especially for children), temporary shelter, building materials, tools (construction tools, chainsaws, etc), and portable electric generators. Other useful information from UNICEF: Full country name: Belize Area: 23,300 sq. km (9087 sq. mi.) Population: 249,183 (growth rate 2.8%) Capital city: Belmopan (pop 5000) People: 44% Mestizo, 30% Creole, 11% Maya, 7% Garifuna Language: English, English Creole, Spanish, Maya and Garífuna Religion: 60% Catholic, 30% Protestant 20,000 people homeless, 11,000 are children Major impact on schools Severe agricultural damage and destruction of infrastructure Serious contamination of water supply EMERGENCY OVERVIEW, RECENT DEVELOPMENTS AND REQUIREMENTS Displaced population in need of immediate assistance On Sunday 8 October 2001, Hurricane Iris, a category 4 hurricane, struck Belize causing extensive damage in the South of the country where the poorest communities reside. Some 20,000 or 8.5% of the population have been affected. According to the latest figures, 22 people were killed by the hurricane and 8 people are missing. It is estimated that 72% of residents of Stann Creek and Toledo Districts in Southern Belize have been left homeless. At least 7,000 were evacuated from several low lying and coastal communities including Belize City, Dangriga Town, Punta Gorda Town and the Cayes. Situation Analysis Belize is the second smallest country in Central America with an area of 22,963 square kilometers located on the eastern Caribbean coast of the isthmus. Belize is bordered by Mexico on the north, by Guatemala on the south and west, and on the east by the Caribbean Sea. A former British colony that gained its independence in 1981, Belize is a sparsely populated country with only 250,000 inhabitants. The population is roughly divided between urban and rural dwellers although not equally divided among the six administrative districts. Belize is an extremely ethnically diverse country. For the most part the country is integrated ethnically, however Belize City and the Belize District are primarily inhabited by Creoles (people of mixed African and other descents) and other ethnic groups are regionally located in various districts. The Mayas, descendants of the ancient civilization of the region, live mostly in the southern district of Toledo and Garifunas in the coastal communities of the Stann Creek and Toledo Districts. According to official government statistics Belize has experienced good economic growth. However, areas of concern are the high level of poverty at 33% (household 25.3%, extremely poor HH 9.6%, youth 31.6%, female 33.1%, males 32.6%, rural 42.5% & urban 20.6%), poor infrastructure and lack of social support systems in rural communities. The poverty report indicates that the majority of the poor live in the rural areas and 53% of the Mayan population live below the poverty line. Over the past decade the reported rates of infant and child mortality remained stable, or showed a slight increase. Reliability of these figures however remains a major concern. The in-country differences in mortality rates reflect the disparity and access of quality health care. Of the 35 health centres operating throughout the country only four are operational in the Toledo District where the population is widely dispersed and mobility is difficult, making access to health services more difficult for a population that is the poorest in the country. There are still pockets of malnutrition in certain areas: growth retardation among the Toledo Mayans is more than 40% in children between 6-9 years old. In 1998 the infant mortality rates (IMR) and the under-five mortality rates were 21.5 and 42 per 1000 live births respectively. Of particular concern is that the infant deaths account for approximately 80% of all deaths to children less than five years of age. The leading causes of infant deaths are "slow fetal growth, fetal malnutrition and immaturity" followed by "hypoxia, birth asphyxia and other respiratory conditions". At third place for causes of deaths to infants is "congenital abnormalities". Respiratory infections and intestinal infections ranked first as the cause of deaths to 1-4 year olds in 1997 and 1998 respectively. Infrastructure in need of urgent repair Extensive damage to homes, schools, community centers and public infrastructure such as water supply, roads and bridges has left thousands isolated and without shelter. According to the Ministry of Education and Sports, the estimated damage to schools is worth US$1.6 million. Some 15 schools have been completely destroyed, 12 have lost roofs and others suffered extensive damage. Equipment, books and furniture have been totally destroyed. The total number of school age children affected is 5,500 (Stann Creek: 2,050 / Toledo: 3,500). Major Agricultural Damage Due to the strength of the winds, the effects of the hurricane on agriculture have been devastating. Major crops, including rice, corn, cocoa and fruit trees, were totally destroyed. Approximately 12,000 acres of produce worth millions of dollars has been lost.