UNITED NATIONS OFFICE OF THE RESIDENT COORDINATOR

UNITED NATIONS OFFICE OF THE RESIDENT COORDINATOR

UNITED NATIONS
NACIONES UNIDAS
OFFICE OF THE RESIDENT COORDINATOR
Guatemala • Tropical Depression 12-E
Situation Report #5
October 21, 2011 – 19h00
This report covers the period between 19 and 21 October. Next report will be issued on or
around October 25.
I. Highlights/Key Priorities
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A National State of Public Calamity has been declared.
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Presidential Elections are due on November 6 , 2011. This is two and a half weeks away and is a
concern for authorities.
Updated reports indicate 528,735 people have been affected, 78,662 were most affected, 30,040
evacuated, 19,755 are reported in shelters (11,500 of which in 129 official shelters), 18 injured, 5 missing
and 38 dead. Total numbers include the population affected in the Santa Rosa’s earthquake.
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INSIVUMEH reports a cold front, active since the 20 of October, has significantly decreased
temperatures and the amount of rainfall. However, the cold temperatures represent another challenge
for those still displaced/in shelters.
As of 21 October, field monitors report that weather conditions are slowly allowing access to isolated
communities to deliver aid and to start the evaluation of needs.
The UN organized joint missions to identify gaps to be filled in visited areas.
The GoG is going through a period of financial constraints. In the last four months, the GoG has not been
able to pay CONRED personnel. Similar financial restrictions apply to other ministries such as Health and
Agriculture. CONRED has lack financial resources to buy fuel for transport. This has limited their
response actions during this emergency.
The Disaster Management Team – DMT is holding joint and sectorial meetings (Food, Water, Health and
Shelters) to share information and coordinate joint responses.
After joint field assessments, as discussed in UNETE and after consultation with OCHA, UN will be
preparing CERF proposal for next Monday,in consultation with partners from the Humanitarian Network.
Four sectors are being considered: water, health, shelters and food while other interventions will be
integrated in above clusters. Douglas Reimer/OCHA will be arriving in Guatemala over the weekend.
II. Situation Overview
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CONRED reports that TD 12-E has caused damages to 27,934 houses, affected 191 highways (10
destroyed), 61 bridges (32 destroyed) and 29 schools (none destroyed).
Assistance to affected people is being coordinated and provided by (CONRED), UN agencies, NGO’s and
voluntary organizations. Donations from international cooperation and other entities have been received.
CONRED estimates that all the current immediate (first 72 hours) response assistance being delivered is
good and sufficient, if no major new developments occur. Reports from the interior are yet incomplete and
NGO’s report several shortfalls.
The Government has opted to deploy an intense diplomatic activity, but not to make an international
appeal however it continues to hold bilateral meetings for resource mobilization in order to cover gaps.
An Emergency Cash Grant worth US$ 50,000 has been requested by the Office of the Resident
Coordinator for provision of fuel and shelter materials to OCHA NY.
As of today, 12 rivers remain in danger of overflowing. In addition, due to the amount of rains registered
over the last 6 months, soils are saturated and additional landslides are expected.
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According to INSIVUMEH, the absorption of water in the flooded areas will vary depending on soil type. It
is expected to happen during the coming 10 to 15 days, if weather conditions remain favourable.
Figures: Active incidents in Guatemala, 19/10/2011. Blue: Flood, Red,Orange and Yellow: Landslide, Green: Other
(LEFT) and Water accumulation in soils in Guatemala, 19/10/2011. Source: CONRED
III. Humanitarian Needs and Response
As of 20 October, CONRED has distributed 258.7 MT of food and supplies for personal use to the affected
families and around 431.3 MT are underway which include food rations, 600ml water bottles, cold rations,
personal hygiene kits, blankets, tents and nylon for shelters, etc.
These numbers include both CONRED’s provisions and donations channeled to the Institution by the
International Community (some of which were provided by the UN agencies in Guatemala), described in
section V.
UN needs assessment interagency-teams (WFP, UNICEF, PAHO-WHO, UNDP, OIM and UNESCO) were
deployed to 2 departments in the country, in close contact and coordination with Municipal and local
authorities (SE-CONRED representatives, Ministries representative, Churches, NGOs).
The following is a summary of their reports:
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FOOD - High Impact:
Not all population is receiving food assistance. Also the amounts being delivered are only for the first days (3
to 5 days in many cases were CONRED is intervening. Purchasing power/ disposable income of inhabitants
and availability of food has been reduced. Deficiency in food intake could possible deteriorate food security of
the affected population. Populations in shelters and isolated by floods are priority.
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HEALTH - Medium impact:
Health services are paying attention to the population. Limited stocks of medicines for health care are
available. There is a lack of vehicles and fuel for mobilization of emergency personnel. Most health care
centers lack external communication (no telephones available). According to the authorities there is an
increase in the following diseases especially within vulnerable populations (children, women and elderly
people): acute Respiratory Infections, diarrheal diseases and dermatologic Diseases.
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LIVEHOODS - High Impact:
It is estimated that maize, beans, coffee and rice are affected and in most cases crops are completely
destroyed. Maize and bean harvests have been almost totally lost in many areas. Family income has been
reduced due to lack of job opportunities. Food availability is critical due to absence of food reserves and lack
of seeds and agriculture inputs.
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SHELTERS - High impact:
Conditions of most shelters are poor, there are many damages to infrastructure, basic services (water,
sanitation and hygiene) are limited and there is lack of food and psychological support. Reportedly, there is
lack of coordination and of internal management of shelters. The missions also observed the absence of local
authorities in departments where former mayors were not reelected (last September 11). Humanitarian
organizations are providing aid official and non-official shelters.
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WATER AND SANITATION - High Impact:
Most areas affected by floods, and rivers are severely contaminated. Household water systems are polluted
and the water is unfit for human consumption. There is additional damage to some water distribution
networks. Distribution of safe water to affected populations is being done but there is a total collapse of septic
tanks in rural areas.
Needs reported during the visit are:
 Food assistance,
 Water for consumption,
 Improvement of shelters,
 Medical care and medicines,
 Inputs for water purification.
 Sanitation,
 Agricultural inputs
 Psychosocial support.
 Repairs to road infrastructure.
OTHER INFORMATION PROVIDED BY AGENCIES
- PAHO/WHO
Damage to the infrastructure of 13 hospitals are reported (the hospital network consists of 43 hospitals of
different levels of complexity) highliting Guatemala Mental Health Hospital (unique in the country), Fray
Rodrigo’s elderly people’s hospital in the Sacatepéquez and Cuilapa’s hospital previously affected by the
seismic activity in Santa Rosa. Eight of the damaged hospitals (Cuilapa, Retalhuleu, Huehuetenango,
Chiquimula, Jalapa, Solola, Quiche and Mazatenango) are the only facilities of third level in such departments
having under their coverage an estimated population of 4,761,486 people (approximately 34% of the national
population). Sayaxche and la Tinta hospitals, are the only option for dispersed population in the departments
of Petén and Alta Verapaz, which has high concentration of Keqchi’s indigenous population. Reports also
indicate infrastructural damage in 27 health posts and centers in Escuintla, 11 in Quetzaltenango and 2
centers in the department of Guatemala. Due to landslides and roadblocks there is evidence of health
facilities and medical care disruption.
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• Needs being partially responded by Government, PAHO/OPS (please refer to Sit Rep 4) and other donors,
which might eventually turn into a gap is aid is not kept being provided: Restoring health services and health
care in affected communities and shelters (including epidemiological surveillance and vector control),
Provision of medicines, Access to safe water, monitoring the quality of water in shelters and water systems
recovery and Support information management and health promotion.
IV. Coordination
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UNETE held an meeting on October 20 to analyze reporting of UN on-site missions.
Sectorial meetings (Food, WASH, Health and Shelters) are being held today to share information and
possible joint response.
Resident Coordinator, Food, WASH, Health and Shelters cluster leads held a coordination meeting
this afternoon.
CERF request will be elaborated during the weekend.
OCHA Regional Adviser will be deployed to Guatemala on Monday 24 October.
Mission coordination is at all times done with UNDSS.
Exclusively updated information of aid provided by agencies is as follows: (If no information is
provided in this Sit Rep for a specific agency, programme or fund, please refer to Sit Rep 4):
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WFP
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As of today WFP, in coordination with local authorities (MAGA, SESAN and CONRED),
delivered 640 MT food rations. In addition, as of 16h00 today, WFP/CONRED have
distributed 10 MT HEB for 3 days/person. This makes a total of 650 MT distributed to some
87,084 individuals. WFP and FAO are assessing food security nutrition in the affected
communities and identifying families needing assistance, in coordination with local partners.
Recovery initiatives are being planned.
Other field staff, working closely with CONRED and various NGOs members of the
Humanitarian Network, remain in their different geographic areas coordinating actions of
response, monitoring and evaluating the needs of the affected communities.
WFP is looking to reinforce interventions through collaboration with NGO sector partners
such as CARE, Plan, CRS, SHARE and others.
WFP will run out of stock at the end of this week.
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UNICEF:
o As WASH and protection cluster lead, UNICEF is holding sectorial coordination meetings for
elaboration of CERF request proyects.
o UNICEF is providing follow up to Sit Rep 4 compromises. UNICEF has additionally provided
500,000 chlorine tablets to Health Services for water disinfection at home level.
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FAO
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FAO conducted an assessment in all areas, where it regularly works, to establish the state of
crops. The largest crop losses have been in maize, FAO indicated at least 5,808 ha of maize
were lost due to TD 12-E.
FAO estimates Verapaz and Ixcan have lost Q40 million in agriculture losses.
According to FAO, maize prices have increased by 10% nationally, but in some affected
areas the prices have risen by at least 25% (Northern Region of the country).
In the department of Petén damage is great. The rains continued in the different
municipalities. Poptún, Sayaxche and Freedom have completely flooded cornfields,
especially on the banks of rivers, creeks and streams. Also in the department of Izabal the
losses are mainly in the land located on the banks of rivers.
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PAHO/WHO:
o As Health cluster lead, PAHO/WHO is holding sectorial coordination meetings to assess
damage and needs in affected communities and elaborate CERF request projects.
o Needs related to access to health services have been identified, as well as epidemiological
surveillance and vector control and PAHO/WHO will work in coordination with the relevant
authorities in order to respond to this situation.
o PAHO/WHO provides logistical support including mobilization of equipment and medical
personnel to most affected areas.
o In coordination with health authorities, PAHO/WHO will support the recruitment of health
personnel to intensify actions in health services and communities.
o PAHO/WHO has established contacts with NGOs for the provision of medicines in the health
areas identified as priority.
o PAHO/WHO participates in the Water and Sanitation cluster with the provision of chlorine
generators and providing technical support to conduct damage assessment.
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UNFPA:
o UNFPA is participating in Health cluster meetings.
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UNDP:
o UNDP will support CONRED with fuel and other expenses forsome 50,000 USD in order to
support the distribution of humanitarian aid and for the assessment of damages and losses
in affected populations.
OIM:
o As shelter cluster lead, OIM is holding sectorial coordination meetings for elaboration of
CERF request projects.
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UNESCO:
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UNESCO is participating in Shelter cluster meetings.
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UNAIDS:
o UNAIDS is participating in Health cluster meetings.
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UNDSS:
o Throughout the development of TD 12E, UNDSS Guatemala and Belize was permanently
monitoring the situation in the entire country; 46 alerts were sent to the AFPs, in order to
keep informed of the damages caused by the rain. UNDSS Guatemala and Belize, provided
security advices to the 31 UN’s field missions affected by the TD and landslides on the roads;
besides other 28 security clearances were canceled or denied for security reasons. UNDSS
Guatemala had liaisons with UNs field and project offices to issue the necessary safety and
security recommendations. A map of damages caused in the metropolitan area was made in
order to monitor in detail each movement of the missions in the city and countryside. UNDSS
Guatemala maintained open line of communication with UNDSS HQ NY and the law
enforcement authorities in order to provide advices to AFP’s in the country. UNDSS
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Guatemala and Belize provided assistance to the UNETE field mission on 18 and 19
October and supported them with security and safety information about the roads conditions
for their trip.
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V. Funding
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An Emergency Cash Grant was requested for provision of fuel and shelter inputs to be donated to
CONRED
A CERF request will be sent to OCHA’s HQ by next week.
NGOs provision of aid in response to the emergency was shared in Humanitarian Country Teams’
meetings. These include provision of WASH supplies and hygiene kits, psychological support in
shelters and health aid.
Other funding provided by donors include (the list is incomplete and lacks details about funding
from Spain, US and others):
o Embassy of Taiwan: 25,000 US$
o WB has a credit line at the disposal of the GoG
o USAID-OFDA: 50,000 US$
o Embassy of Venezuela: Offering of support with inputs, medicines and food
o Embassy of Cuba: Offering of support with health brigades
o Embassy of the US: Use of 5 aircrafts
o BID (Inter-American Development Bank): 200,000 US$ for attention to affected population
in Santa Rosa
o BCEI (Central American Bank for Economic Integration): 200,000 US$ for attention to
affected population in Santa Rosa, to be channeled by the Red Cross
o Foundation TIGO: Use of vehicles, fuel included.
o DHL: Support with logistics and local team of volunteers
o Colgate-Palmolive: 15,000 units of antibacterial soap
o Embotelladora La Mariposa: 48,000 750ml water bottles
o Judicial Organism: 41 bags of 108.7 pounds of sugar
VI. Contact
Document elaborated by the UNETE. For inquires or suggestions please contact:
Willem Van Milink, World Food Programme Representative/ UNETE Coordinator
Email address: [email protected] - Phone number: +502 2333-5928
Rene Mauricio Valdés, Resident Coordinator
Email address: [email protected] - Phone number: + 502 2384-3120
For more information about this emergency please visit www.reliefweb.int or www.redhum.org. To be added
or deleted from this SitRep mailing list, please email [email protected]
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