Central America: Agatha's destruction
Monday, June 07, 2010
ACT Alliance emergency workers in Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador are struggling to get aid to communities cut off by Tropical Storm Agatha.
The storm has left at least 150 people dead since Saturday, most of them in Guatemala. Landslides have destroyed entire communities.
The storm has passed but officials warn that swollen rivers still pose a risk, especially since further rain is forecast and the water table is already very high. Salvadorean President Mauricio Funes explained that "the glass is full and one more drop could be fatal".
Reports from ACT members in the region say that 152 people are known to have died in Guatemala, 14 in Honduras and nine in El Salvador.
All three countries have declared emergencies and are requesting immediate aid and resources.
The storm brought more than 1 metre of rainfall in parts of the region, bursting riverbanks and causing landslides.
In Guatemala City, a giant sinkhole opened up, reportedly swallowing a couple of buildings.
In Guatemala 155,000 people were evacuated and 29,000 are in temporary shelters, either because their homes were damaged or they were in areas of high risk of flooding. 27,000 people have suffered material losses.
ACT members say that the impact of Agatha on the most vulnerable is exacerbated by drought, food insecurity and the simultaneous eruption of the Pacaya volcano.
Roads and bridges have been smashed, making it difficult to get aid to the worst-hit areas.
Responses by ACT members include assistance with evacuations, support of temporary shelters, help with clearing debris, building response teams and assessment of damages.
Further support by ACT members will include short term support with basic food and non-food items for people who cannot provide for themselves because of losses from the storm and in the long term support for rehabilitation of agricultural productivity.