Hurricane Dean is now history. But the damaging effects of the hurricane on the livelihoods of Belizeans in the North and on the economy of Belize are significant. A Damage Assessment and Needs analysis Report was carried out in the aftermath of the hurricane by the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) with the support of personnel from the United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC).
According to the most recent comprehensive report, 1,070 houses were destroyed or extensively damaged. The agricultural sector was significantly affected. The papaya industry suffered very extensive crop loss. Sugar-cane fields were damaged by wind and inundation which will result in loss in production and export earnings.
There was widespread devastation on other diversified crops such as fruit trees, vegetables, plantains, hot pepper, corn, beans and honey production. Small farmers were badly hit all the way from Bomba in the Belize District to Chan Chen, Xaibe and Chunox in the Corozal District.
The tourism sector in San Pedro Ambergris, and Caye Caulker received damages to piers, palapas and a few wooden buildings. There was also some beach erosion. The fisheries sector sustained direct losses due to destruction of fish traps and damage to fishing equipment with indirect loss of income and foreign exchange.
There was also material infrastructural damage to roads and utilities, especially electricity.
The present estimated cost of the damage and loss according to the Revised Damage Assessment Report as follows:
In the housing sector US $10.18 million
Agriculture US $65.55 million
Tourism US $ 2.90 million
Fisheries US $ 4.60 million
Infrastructure US $8.50 million
Utilities US $0.50 million
In addition, a total of 71 schools in the Corozal and Orange Walk Districts sustained (varying) degrees of damage.
Overall the Damage Assessment Report reveals losses and damage resulting from Hurricane Dean amounting to some US $98.6 million or close to BZ$200 million.
The national priority has been to ensure that the people directly affected by the hurricane have access to food, good drinking water and medicines.
Grants of $1200.00 BZ and soft loans up to $8000.00 without the need for collateral are being made available to families who need help in rebuilding their homes.
And, in order to assist these Belizeans who may have lost their employment due to the damage caused by the hurricane (such as in the papaya industry), we propose to further amend the Social Security Act (which is being introduced today) to provide a special relief due to catastrophic events such as hurricanes, floods, or earthquakes. This benefit will be a percentage of the employee’s salary, and will be available for up to 13 weeks or date of resumption of employment, whichever is earlier. Read More

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