Central America - Hurricane/Tropical Storm Mitch OCHA Situation Report No. 9

Ref: OCHAGVA - 98/0339
CENTRAL AMERICA - HURRICANE/TROPICAL STORM MITCH
EL SALVADOR, COSTA RICA, GUATEMALA, NICARAGUA AND HONDURAS
OCHA SITUATION REPORT NO. 9
4 NOVEMBER 1998

General

1. Ambassadors of Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala and Costa Rica held press conference in New York on 3 November, also attended by Secretary-General and OCHA- Emergency Relief Coordinator. Presenting updated facts and figures, the Ambassadors termed the impact of Mitch as probably the worst natural disaster having hit Central America this century. Mitch struck a disaster -prone region at a time of considerable social and economic difficulties. Recovery and rehabilitation efforts will be a daunting task for all and for some beyond the national capacity to achieve. Assistance from the international community will therefore be of crucial importance. Disposal of dead people and animals was highest concern in the immediate, according to Ambassadors, in order to forestall epidemics.

El Salvador

2. Casualties have risen to 225 and overall affected to 48,800 based on latest reports by National Emergency Committee (NEC).

3. ' Mitch' remains as tropical depression over country with heavy rains in western parts. --Fresh floods and landslides feared. NEC maintaining 'red alert' over national territory, while rescue and evacuation activities continue in affected areas.

4. Infrastructural damage: another major bridge collapsed in border Department ( Ahuachapan) with Guatemala, and most schools in affected areas rendered unfunctional.

5. OCHA is fielding an United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team to support the Office of the United Nations Coordinator.

Guatemala

6. Death toll risen to 100 people. 200 missing. Guatemala City remains cut off from the rest of the country.

7. Following the earlier declaration of a State of Emergency in view of immense damages affecting the whole country. Guatemala has launched a formal appeal for international assistance through OCHA . The Appeal focuses on antibiotics, water purification tablets, food and construction materials.

Nicaragua

8. According to latest status almost 1,500 people dead and 1,804 unaccounted for, 229 injured. Many of the victims are children, more than 747,000 people are affected. Infrastructure suffered damage up to 70 %, including collapse of 40 bridges and 33 unusable. Public health sector seriously affected in view of destruction of hospitals and contaminated water supplies. Several areas still inaccessible.

9. Priority emergency needs: medicines, shelter (plastic sheeting and tents), food, basic utensils, and water supply equipment.

10. Field assessments of damage/needs starting but hampered by shortage of air transport (helicopter).

11. OCHA-UNDAC team arrived today and is assisting in damage/needs assessment and in national and international response efforts.

Honduras

12. Latest assessments by National Emergency Management Office (COPECO) put death toll over 5,000 people and at least 5,000 missing. More than 1.5 million affected. Several hundred thousand in temporary shelters.

13. Many communities remain cut off in life-threatening circumstances. Mud slides have washed away entire neighbourhoods. Communication not yet established with Department of Valle in the southwest. No access from the Capital to the northern parts of country. Food supplies becoming scarce in the Capital. Overall Impact of 'Mitch' estimated to reduce GDP by nearly 60 %.

14. Most serious damage to the national road network and to agriculture (loss of banana crops alone estimated at over 800 million dollars). Some 70,000 houses reported damaged, 86 bridges destroyed. Damage to national water supply system requires rationing at least over the next two weeks. Overall electricity supply also reduced. PAHO estimate financial requirements to overcome immediate difficulties in national road system, housing, water and electricity supply in the vicinity of 140 million dollars. Three international airports open, no information yet on ports.

15. Rescue operations ongoing by government services, fire fighters and army, assisted by US planes. CARE and the national Red Cross active in rescue and response activities. President has called for a nation-wide effort to help victims and to reconstruct the country.

16. PAHO in collaboration with national authorities still evaluating impact on health sector. Projects for coming three months currently elaborated, including medicines, vector control and rehabilitation of basic medical services.

Requirements

17. UNDAC mission indicates following urgent needs: Bailey bridges, water supply equipment, milk powder, kitchen sets. (Donors are advised that the airport at San Pedro Sula can accommodate C-130 planes. The military airport - one hour drive from the Capital - can accommodate all types of aircraft).

18. Helicopters and boats for surveys and rescue operations.

19. Contributions: Please see attached list:

20. OCHA is prepared to serve as a channel for cash contributions for the immediate relief needs detailed above. Funds channelled through OCHA will be spent in coordination with the relevant organizations of the UN system and OCHA will provide written confirmation of their use. Funds should be transferred to OCHA account No. CO-590.160.1 at the UBS AG, PO Box 2770, CH-1211 Geneva 2, with reference: OCHA - Central America - Hurricane/Tropical Storm Mitch.

21. For coordination purposes, donors are requested to inform OCHA Geneva, as indicated blow, of relief missions, pledges or contributions and their corresponding values by item.

22. This Situation Report and further information on ongoing emergencies are also available on the OCHA Internet Website at: http://www.reliefweb.int.

Telephone number: + 41-22-917-12 34
In case of emergency only: + 41-22- 917 20 10
Desk Officer: Mr. Erik Haegglund, direct tel: + 41-22-917 32 99
Contact person for the media: Ms. Elena Ponomareva, direct tel:+41-22-917 23 36
Telex 4142 42 OCHA CH
Fax: + 41-22 917 00 23
E-mail: info@dha.unicc.org

OCHA Geneva Contributions Report

(As reported by donors)
As of: 04/11/98 17:13:16 CAM/98/1