EARL RELIEF OPERATIONS : SITUATION REPORT #5

1. PEOPLE IN SHELTER: There are a total of 119 persons in Shelter as follows:  56 in Belize  City:     In Cayo: Teakettle  has  15  persons  in  shelter  and  St.  Matthews  has  31 persons. There are 2 persons in the shelter at Gracie Rock. There are 11 persons in the Hattievile Community Centre.  Orange Walk has 4 persons in one shelter in San Carlos.

2. PEOPLE ASSISTED: about  8,000  people,  as  reported  by  the  National  Relief  Supplies Committee/Ministry of  Human  Development.   We  are  acting  on  information  of  people  not captured in the assessments.

3. FOOD RELIEF: continues, Supplies Management Committee (RSMC) continues to mobilize reaching out to people in the affected communities with food, water, tarp/plastic sheeting, cleaning supplies, mattress etc.  BATSUB,  BDF  and  UNICEF  have  been  assisting  people  in  the shelters. The Belize Red Cross is supporting NEMO with field operations. Pledges and donations coming in. NEMO National Foreign Assistance Committee chaired by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs documenting the information.

4. RESTORATION of UTILITIES: almost completed in the main lifeline sectors
5. DAMAGE ASSESSMENT:  Humanitarian      assessments      and      relief      assistance continues.    Housing  material  relief  operations  with  very  preliminary  roll  out  is  being planned for Thursday morning for self-help cases.   Names submitted are being cross checked by technical staff form Building sections of Housing, CBA and City Council to prioritize the roll out.  Engineers support is required, volunteers may contact NEMO at 626 7127, 822 2054 and at nemohqbmp@nemo.org.bz.

6. Road conditions: Vaqueros and Privassion Bridge is impassable to heavy equipment and big trucks. Small vehicles must exercise extreme caution whilst driving in this area.   Iguana Creek Bridge is open to traffic.  The access route through Bullet Tree Falls village via the Bullet Tree Bridge is open.  Spanish lookout via Baking Pot Ferry is impassable at this time. Succotz Ferry remains closed. The wooden bridge in San Ignacio across the Macal River remains closed and is seriously damaged.   DO  NOT  ATTEMPT  TO  CROSS  THIS  BRIDGE.     The  Hammock Bridge in Calla Creek has been destroyed.

People in Belize City are hereby informed that if they have not yet been assessed by the assessment team, to kindly visit or call the Department of Human Services at #40 Regent Street Belize City, or call 227-7451. In the districts ensure your damage and loss information are submitted to NEMO office in the districts for verification.   Please report details such as size of zinc, type of roof material, size of doors, and windows even though it is being verified.  So if you have yet been assessed when you are contacted please give details.

AT THE TIME OF THIS REPORT THERE IS NO TROPICAL CYCLONE THREAT TO BELIZE.

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