Following the passage of Hurricane Felix through Central America,
the Nicaraguan Government reports that the hardest hit area has
been the north-western region, namely the North Atlantic Autonomous
Region.

Initial reports in Nicaragua point to 40 confirmed dead, 200
others missing and 50,000 displaced from their homes. 
According to an initial government assessment in the region, there
is a need for international assistance to rebuild more than 10,000
homes.  The Government has put forth the preliminary sum of
USD 26 million; it says it needs to provide emergency assistance
and to start the rebuilding process.

In Honduras, the authorities reported late Thursday the
discovery of at least 24 dead fishermen in the waters along
Honduras' northeast coast.

The IOM offices in Nicaragua and Honduras are coordinating with
the national and local authorities and United Nations (UN) agencies
and stand ready to work with its partners to provide the most
urgent needs, namely shelter, drinking water, zinc sheets for
roofing, first aid kits and other basic needs.

In Nicaragua, Save the Children has donated basic hygiene items
that include soap, toothpaste, toilet paper, as well as some food
items. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has allocated
funds, while the Spanish Red Cross and the United States Agency for
International Development (USAID) will also be providing financial
support.  The UN's World Food Programme (WFP) has dispatched
five 5 tonnes of food aid.

In Honduras IOM is working with the Government and UN agencies
and as part of the Interagency Emergency Response Plan (Plan
Interagencial de Respuesta de Emergencia or PIRE). The Honduran
Government is currently carrying out assessments and compiling
information to determine shelter needs.

For more information, please contact:

Amilcar Kraudie

IOM Managua

Tel: +505.278-9569 or 505.278.9613

E-mail: "mailto:amilcar.kraudie@canjeunesse.ca">amilcar.kraudie@canjeunesse.ca

or

Mirna Rodriguez

IOM Tegucigalpa

Tel:  +504.220.1100 or 504-231.0102

E-mail "mailto:mrodriguez@iom.un.hn">mrodriguez@iom.un.hn