AmeriCares Provides Relief from First Storms of Season; Braces for More in Vulnerable Areas

 Photo: Presidency / Eduardo Gonzalez

Tropical Storm Agatha, the first major storm of the Pacific hurricane season, hit the coast of Guatemala on May 29. Strong winds, torrential rains, flooding and landslides spread across Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras, causing nearly 200 deaths and leaving tens of thousands homeless.  

The May 27 eruption of Guatemala's Pecaya volcano clogged storm drains with ash before the storm hit, contributing to the flooding and leaving behind piles of heavy, cement-like ash.  In addition to mudslides, the storm triggered sinkholes, including one that swallowed an entire intersection and a clothing factory in Guatemala City.

AmeriCares, a Global Impact charity that has worked extensively in El Salvador and Guatemala since 1986, is responding with emergency supplies such as medical aid, food and hygiene items it has stocked in preparation for hurricane season and other frequent natural disasters in the region.

"AmeriCares is mounting disaster relief efforts in response to Storm Agatha in Guatemala and El Salvador," said Christoph Gorder, Vice President of Emergency Response. "Our staff and partners on the ground will be responding to the most pressing needs of people injured or left homeless by the devastating storm."

The medical supplies will help treat people wounded by crushing mudslides and flood debris, as well as illness caused by flood-related water contamination. "AmeriCares and our partners are ready to go directly into the affected communities to deliver aid to men, women and children in need," Gorder said.

In addition to Central America, AmeriCares has stocked disaster aid in other key areas prone to hurricanes and particularly vulnerable this year, such as Haiti and the U.S. Gulf Coast.  More than 1.2 million Haitians still reside in tent cities in the aftermath of the earthquake, with makeshift latrines and leaky hoses for drinking water.  These conditions already breed waterborne diseases, and a hurricane could make the situation far worse, according to Americares Medical Director Dr. Frank J. Bia.

AmeriCares relief teams are helping Haitians in tent cities by continuing to deliver and stockpiling more bottled water, water purification supplies, antibiotics, oral rehydration salts, fever-reducing medicines and IV solutions critical for preventing and treating waterborne diseases.

In the U.S. coastal communities of Louisiana and Mississippi affected by the giant BP oil spill, storm surges caused by a hurricane could expose residents to oil residues and chemical dispersants, causing a host of health problems ranging from chemical pneumonia to nausea, vomiting, eye irritation, headaches, asthma and other breathing problems. AmeriCares is preparing for a hurricane by strengthening relationships in the region and reaching out to partners to plan additional deliveries of medicines and supplies needed to treat asthma and other respiratory conditions exacerbated by the oil spill.

Learn more about AmeriCares and other Global Impact charities assuring help for the world's most vulnerable people.