GUATEMALA: FIRST FLASH APPEAL OF 2010 HURRICANE SEASON

(New York/Geneva/Guatemala City, 11 June 2010): The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the Government of Guatemala, and non-governmental organization partners today issued an appeal for humanitarian assistance for survivors of Tropical Storm Agatha.

"The effects of flood-related disasters are particularly dangerous for survivors if not addressed quickly because of the risk of water-borne and exposure-related diseases," said John Holmes, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator. " We are especially concerned about Guatemala, because the country is suffering from serious food insecurity, and has the highest rate of chronic malnutrition in Latin America and the Caribbean," he added.

Tropical Storm Agatha, the first tropical storm of the 2010 Pacific hurricane season, made landfall on the Pacific coast of Guatemala on May 29, with more than 426 millimeters of rain in a short period of time, affecting 21 of the 22 departments of the country, the heaviest rain since 1948.

The effects of the eruption of Pacaya volcano on May 27th complicated the response due to the closing of the international airport. Additionally, volcanic ash aggravated the situation by clogging the sewers and causing the water drainage system to collapse, which flooded streets and blocked access to main roads and bridges. The Government of Guatemala declared a State of National Calamity on May 29 and appealed for international assistance on June 1.

Almost two hundred people have died, several hundred are injured or missing and almost 100,000 are living in shelters. Numerous bridges and roads were severely damaged, leaving many affected communities isolated. Infrastructure assessments report damage to 41 bridges, 19 roads and 9,400 houses, while 170 roads and 65 schools are either damaged or affected. An estimated 65 water systems and 22 health facilities have also been damaged. Heavy agricultural losses have aggravated food insecurity and acute malnutrition. The Ministry of Agriculture (MAGA) calculated that about 25,000 hectares were damaged or destroyed, presenting $38 million in losses. Currently the United Nations System in Guatemala has a Food Insecurity and Acute Malnutrition Appeal of $34 million to help almost 700,000 people, which is only 14% funded.

In close coordination with the Government of Guatemala, and based on assessments from the national authorities, the UN system and its partners are seeking $14,494,131 for six months to provide aid such as food, health care and supplies, shelter, water and sanitation, agricultural assistance, early recovery and education. A grant from the Central Emergency Response Fund is currently being processed.

In recent years, Guatemala has been affected by a variety of natural disasters, such as Tropical Depression 16 in 2008, and drought, floods and landslides in 2009.

For further information, please call: OCHA-New York: Stephanie Bunker, +1 917 367 5126, mobile +1 347 244 2106, bunker@un.org; Nicholas Reader, +1 212 963 4961, mobile +1 646 752 3117, reader@un.org, OCHA-Geneva: Elisabeth Byrs, +41 22 917 2653, mobile +41 79 473 4570, byrs@un.org

OCHA press releases are available at http://ochaonline.un.org or www.reliefweb.int

For more information about CERF, please see http://cerf.un.org