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WFP ODM Emergency situation report 17 Oct 2001

Countries
Belize
+ 4 more
Sources
WFP
Publication date

1. Belize
Based on the WFP assessment conducted in coordination with UN partners and Government authorities on the impact of Hurricane Iris, WFP will approve an IRA-EMOP. This operation will target the most affected persons in the Toledo and Stann Creek districts, both of which were the hardest hit areas by Hurricane Iris. These districts were considered as the poorest in the country even before the hurricane struck on 8 October.

WFP will implement this operation in close coordination with government authorities and UN partners, targeting persons in food insecurity and that have depleted their coping mechanisms. Beneficiaries will be persons (a) whose livelihoods have been seriously affected, (b) who have lost all or most of their crops, (c) whose homes have been destroyed or severely damaged, and (d) who have lost their sources of income as a consequence of the hurricane.

District
Urban Population
Rural population
Total population
Affected population
Toledo
4,329
18,968
23,297
11,721
Stann Creek
8,814
15,734
24,548
8,159
TOTAL
13,143
34,702
47,845
19,880

SUMMARY OF KEY DATA

Dead
Houses damaged and destroyed
Public Buildings damaged
School damaged and destroyed
Farms damaged and destroyed

People evacuated
Health Centers / Health Posts
Population affected
22 persons
2571
21
27
Over 12.000 acres of banana, rice, corn, cacao and infrastructure and store buildings
11380
17 destroyed or seriously damaged
19,880


Source: National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO), October 12, 2001

WFP is planning a three-month intervention that will help the most food insecure of those affected by the hurricane recover their livelihoods and, for those who are small farmers, bridge the gap between now and the next harvest in March, 2002.

2. Guatemala

A rapid assessment by WFP-UNICEF concluded that no major losses were reported as the result of Hurricane Iris affecting this country last week.

WFP continues to work with the figure of 16,945 drought-affected persons. Despite the availability of locally produced food commodities, the affected families cannot access them due to a fall in their purchasing capacity as a consequence of the drought and limited job opportunities.

Although rain precipitation is normalizing, further assistance may be needed in the Champerico and San Miguel Villaseca districts in the southern region of the country because of crop failure. The nutritional situation in Camotán and Jocotan districts continue to be evaluated by UNICEF.

A first shipment of 894 MT of maize and vegetable oil arrived in early October for drought-affected people. This will only cover the requirements of the first food distribution and repay loans from the development projects.

WFP is monitoring the implementation of programmed activities in the Jalapa, Jutiapa and El Progreso provinces. This information will serve as inputs for programming the next distribution of food.

WFP in conjunction with UNICEF has made a rapid assessment in the southern coast region, as well as in the western, northern and eastern regions of Guatemala. The objective was to compile information on the sanitary, nutritional and agricultural situation in these areas. The preliminary results are the following:

  • Some areas of the southern coast region may continue with a serious food deficit.
  • Although the nutritional situation in those areas is not yet critical, it may worsen if the chaotic sanitary situation (absence of latrines, lack of clean water, etc.) is not addressed.
  • Lack of employment is affecting people's capacity to purchase food.
  • The international coffee crisis is taking a toll in terms of limiting the usual employment opportunities.
  • Interventions are not required for drought-affected persons in the western highlands.

Meanwhile, WFP is working jointly with the Red Cross and the government (FIS) on a joint effort aimed at ten communities in the Rabinal (Baja Verapaz) y Camotán (Chiquimula).

3. El Salvador

PRRO 6089 Assistance to drought victims:

The second phase of distributions by the governmental counterpart (DAA) began through the provision of 311 MT to 15,560 drought-affected people in eastern El Salvador. CRS continued to distribute 206 MT to 17,500 people involved in FFW activities in the provinces of Usulutan, San Miguel, La Union, and Morazan. CARE and WLF (World Lutheran Federation) are expected to distribute 254 MT in the coming weeks to another 26,155 people.

EMOP 10022.0 assistance to earthquake victims:

CARE and its 7 NGO counterparts have distributed food to 60,650 people affected by the earthquakes in the provinces of Usulutan and San Vicente. CARE has also begun distributing 20 MT of CSB to families with special nutritional needs.

Another 19,000 persons were also assisted by WLF (and its 15 counterpart NGO's) in the provinces of La Libertad, Sonsonate and Ahuachapan. WLF distributed 12 MT of CSB to the most affected families. FUSADES (a national NGO) is assisting 6,250 persons. WFP has now distributed 8,973 MT of food since the 13 January 2001 earthquake. Another 2,000 MT will be distributed over the next two months by these NGO's and CRS. However, distributions will reach only 75,000 persons out of the original 200,000 persons due to a 40% shortfall vis-à-vis the original commitment. Some quantities of rice and oil have been transferred from development project 4508 to help meet the needs of this EMOP.

4. Nicaragua

The following is a summary of WFP FFW activities in response to the drought:

Agricultural Rehabilitation

  • Soil conservation of 568 hectares
  • Assistance to the planting of 17.5 hectares of basic grains and 23 hectares of family vegetable gardens (beets, tomatoes, cucumbers and radish)
  • 338 hectares reforested with fruit trees
  • Nursery with 5,000 coffee plants established in San Lucas district

Local infrastructure

  • Mini-irrigation systems installed in 224.7 hectares
  • Rehabilitation of 199 kms of roads
  • Construction of 21 wells
  • Construction of two drinking-water systems
  • Rehabilitation of four schools

During the week of 22 October, FAO, USAID and WFP will be conducting a new field assessment on the expected needs that the drought-affected families will have after mid-November, when the emergency interventions of these three organizations are planned to conclude.

5. Peru

On 22 October the Government of Peru under the sponsorship of the Inter-American Development Bank and the Government of Spain organized a donors meeting. The Peruvian Government presented the reconstruction plan for the southern region of the country that was affected by the June 23rd earthquake. Several projects and initiatives will be presented mainly for the reconstruction of earthquake-destroyed homes, the rehabilitation of the basic community infrastructure, and the improvement of the nutritional status of the affected population.

Food distribution from the WFP IRA-EMOP has now concluded, having reached 31,366 people. Food distributions under the EMOP 10102 - approved on 31 August for earthquake victims - have proceeded with loans from other WFP development projects. An approved contribution of USD 300,000 has been received and will be used for local food purchases. The government called upon several donors to determine their assistance, and to coordinate the activities that will take place.