Ministry of Health of Belize
Assessment Results Following Hurricane Iris 9 October 2001

The Ministry of Health's Command Center was established in Belmopan under the direction of the Chief Executive Officer on Monday, 8th October, 2001 at 1:00 p.m. Permanent representation of the Ministry of Health at NEMO Head Quarters was also established.

The Ministry of Health established and deployed assessment teams which initiated field visits from Tuesday, 9th October, 2001. The first Medical Team consisting of two (2) Doctors and two (2) Nurses arrived Independence at 3:30 a.m. Between 12 noon and 5:00 PM than same day the Ministry of Health, (Minister of Health, Chief Executive Officer, Director of Health Services, Principal Public Health Inspector, Regional Health Manager, Southern Region) and Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) (Dr. Violet Duke and Rony Maza) carried out aerial damage assessment of the Southern Stann Creek District and visited Placencia Village. This village was found to be devastated and partially flooded, full of debris, destroyed and damaged houses/building, no electricity, no water, no telephone and no food.

By 10:00am on October 9,2000, two (2) emergency mobile teams (one Medical Officer, one Public Health Inspector, one Public Health Nurse) were deployed to Southern Stann Creek District, visiting affected communities to provide essential health services and to carry out needs assessment. During this time thirty-three (33) patients, 10 at Southern Regional Hospital and twenty three (23) in Mango Creek , were treated for various injuries, mainly cuts and other injuries received from zinc and other falling objects. The majority of the injured were from Bella Vista and Independence villages. Toledo reported treating only four (4) patients who received injuries attributed to the hurricane.

Assessment results - 9th October, 2001.

Medical Teams from Dangriga, Punta Gorda, Cayo, Orange Walk, San Ignacio and Belmopan were deployed
to the affected areas immediately after the all clear.

Response Activities :

• Health Education messages aired
• 700 bottles - 16 ozs, chlorox sent to Stann Creek District
• Additional medical supplies have been sent to Stann Creek and Toledo Districts
• Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners were dispatched to the two (2) districts to deal with the mental health of the affected population.
• 100 - -650 gallon vats have been ordered to be sent to the affected areas.