Highlights
Some 2,000 families (10,000 people) have been affected in six districts.
Some 170 people remain in shelters, half are in Belize City.
Water systems are being restored, however, some rural areas in the Belize district still lack electricity.
Flooding remains a concern in many areas in the Cayo District 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.
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, Caye Caulker, 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.