Needs Assessment By Chuck Haren Member of Plenty's Board of Directors Toledo District, Belize October 13, 2001 Five Days after Hurricane Iris destroyed the homes and livelihoods of more than 10,000 residents most of whom live in the Toledo District of southern Belize. .I spent yesterday afternoon driving through and stopping in many villages that have been destroyed by hurricane Iris. The following is a list of priority needs as expressed by those affected and viewed by Plenty representatives and local volunteers who are attempting to provide assistance with relief efforts. Most of those affected remain in some state of shock. They are hungry, continually wet from the rains and have very limited tools or other resources to address immediate needs. Women told me how they cry at night because they do not have the means to change their situation, they do not have water to drink or clean themselves with, or enough food and can not meet the basic needs of their children or themselves. IMMEDIATE NEEDS TEMPORARY HOUSING (6 months to 1 year) 85-90% of the residents have had their homes destroyed. 700-1,000 army tents (approximately 16' x 32') could be used immediately for temporary shelter. This is the rainy season and lack of dry living quarters is rapidly causing severe depression and frustration among those affected. Families need dry places from where they can start rebuilding their lives. If they do not get in temporary housing within the next two weeks, the vast majority will not be able to plant their crops of corn, beans and other subsistence foods. This would then extend the period of time needed for food supplementation programs to more than one year. NUTRITION SUPPLEMENTATION/FOOD DISTRIBUTION Intensive food supplementation programs are needed immediately and over the next 9-12 months. This is the planting season and most farmers will not be able to work their fields from lack of strength/food/nutrition and their more immediate need of getting themselves and their families out of the rain. Last night we did some calculating and estimated that with 50,000 pounds of soybeans, 50,000 pounds of corn and 15,000 pounds of sugar it would be possible to supply each of the ten thousand individuals most severely affected with 20 grams of complete protein 4 days a week for a period of three months. The cost of materials for the completed 100,000 pounds of product would be $0.27US per pound or $27,000 at current costs for soybeans, corn and sugar in Belize. The corn and soybean mix can be roasted in large pots or woks or metal barrels by those affected in the villages and ground into a pinole (as known by the Maya) or kasham (as known by the Garifuna and Creole) at gas powered mills that are available in most villages. Plenty, in collaboration with local community based organizations, school and church representatives can effectively provide the technical and organization support needed, and ensure fair distribution of nutrition inputs. I estimate Plenty would need for the three-month immediate relief and development effort: $27,000 for raw food materials $15,000 for five technical assistance and distribution staff (including nutrition/disease prevention education) $2,000 for fuel/maintenance for vehicle (monitoring and distribution) $4,400 for in-field administration, coordination and monitoring costs $48,400 TOTAL HEALTH CARE Lack of dry living quarters and very limited access to potable water is also beginning to cause serious health problems, including fevers, foot rot, colds and other pulmonary problems. Lack of housing has also exposed those affected to increased mosquito bites and possible dengue fever. Government and Mexican teams are working to combat the growing health problems, but more health professionals are needed on the ground to help prevent burnout and make sure every village is taken care of. DRINKING WATER Many thousands of gallons of water need to hauled into the villages immediately to help stem health problems that are beginning to appear from use of contaminated water. Some groups are providing education support in the areas of water and sanitation. PLANTING SEASON Many families lost their seed supply and will need seed and tools in order to plant foods they rely on to cover their basic nutrition needs. If the whole season is missed, very serious food shortages and resulting health problems will persist for more than one year to come. DONATIONS To make a tax-deductible donation, please make your check payable to Plenty International - Hurricane Relief, and mail it to PO Box 394, Summertown, TN 38483. Or call (931)964-4323. Examples of what your support can provide: $25 will buy a hot school lunch for 100 children $40 will be enough to buy an extra gas burner and fittings to expand our cooking capacity for emergency relief and ultimately for the School Feeding Program. $50 will purchase 300 lbs of soybeans