Emergency aid for Hurricane disaster in Belize
2. The hurricane Iris, which hit Belize on October 8, has caused a large-scale disaster especially in the southern region of the country. According to the Government of Belize and international organizations such as the Red Cross, the number of the afflicted of the whole population of about 240 thousand, has reached to approximately 20 thousand in the southern region and about seven thousand in other areas, including 22 dead and eight missing. Banana, rice, maize, cacao and citrus plantations suffered losses, and it is estimated that the amount of damage will reach eighty million dollars in total. Many of the tourist facilities including hotels, restaurants and souvenir shops in the southern region have been destroyed as well.
3. The Government of Japan has decided to extend the emergency assistance from a humanitarian standpoint, in view of the seriousness of the disaster and the friendly relations between Japan and Belize.