UNITED NATIONS TO LAUNCH $22 MILLION FLASH APPEAL FOR GUATEMALA

UNITED NATIONS TO LAUNCH $22 MILLION FLASH APPEAL FOR GUATEMALA

NEW YORK, 10 October (OCHA) -- The United Nations will today launch a Flash Appeal for approximately $22 million for Guatemala, where heavy rainfalls produced by hurricane Stan have led to severe flooding and mudslides severely affecting more than three quarters of the municipalities in the country’s 15 most-affected departments.

There have been more than 900 landslides, and in the highland and south-western departments of Solola and San Marcos, entire villages have been swept away by landslides, with significant loss of life.  There has also been considerable damage to a high proportion of roads and bridges, and some areas remain inaccessible.  The most vulnerable communities have lost their livelihoods and income, and their survival conditions will remain precarious for several months.  Preliminary estimates indicate that damage to national agriculture will surpass $400 million, as the national livestock, coffee and banana industries have been dealt severe blows.  The availability of food will be curtailed in the short term.

The United Nations, in conjunction with the Government, has identified priorities for international emergency relief assistance, including in the areas of water, sanitation and hygiene, food, shelter and household items, health services, communication and access to services, and coordination and support.

The United Nations Resident Coordinator in Guatemala activated the Disaster Management Team (DMT) on 4 October to provide initial food and health assistance, and a seven-member United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team has been deployed to the country.  The United Nations will continue to coordinate the Organization’s response with the Government, National Council for Disaster Reduction (CONRED) and non-governmental organizations on the ground.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) approved an initial emergency cash grant of $80,000 for relief and coordination efforts, half of which was provided from funds pre-positioned by Norway.  Additional emergency cash grants, material and expert assistance have been provided by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), World Food Programme (WFP), World Health Organization (WHO)/Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), United Nations Volunteers (UNV), International Organization for Migration (IOM), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR).

Among the material assistance provided by United Nations agencies are large quantities of medical supplies, including remoisturizing salts and antibiotics, a mobile water treatment plant, and food assistance.  Technical expertise has been provided in the areas of health, nutrition, water and sanitation, planning, social protection and education.

National authorities are now concentrating their efforts on the provision of emergency relief.  Donation points for the receipt of clean water, food and clothing have been established.

For further information, please call:  Elizabeth Byrs, OCHA-Geneva, tel.:  +41 22 917 2653, cell.:  +41 79 473 4570; Stephanie Bunker, OCHA- New York, tel.:  +1 917 367 5126, cell.:  +1 917 892 1679; or Kristen Knutson, OCHA- New York, tel.:  +1 917 367 9262.

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For information media • not an official record