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Hurricane Stan: Guatemalan Red Cross distributes relief aid
Courtesy of the IFRC
Monday, October 17, 2005 — These 5,000 Guatemalan families – 2,000 more than originally estimated – are receiving medical assistance and humanitarian aid by Guatemalan Red Cross volunteers.
The appeal launched by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies on Friday 7 October, initially planned to benefit an estimated 3,000 families affected by Hurricane Stan in Guatemala. But, the scale of need, however, means that this number has been increased to 5,000.
Guatemalan Red Cross volunteers come from everywhere to support the affected and lend a helping hand. (Photo Credit: IFRC)
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“The Guatemalan Red Cross actions are directed to cover the needs of Guatemalans affected by the floods,” explained Teresa Marroquin, National Disaster Secretary at the Guatemalan Red Cross.
“Our volunteers are continuing to work very hard to support those in the affected communities. Many are doing this work full-time, leaving their day-to-day tasks to be here”.
“Water rescues and evacuation efforts are still underway in Coatepeque, Tecún Uman, Mazatenango, Retalhuleu, El Palmar, Quetzaltenango, Concepción Chiquirichapa, Tejuela, San Marcos and Guatemala. Volunteers are providing basic medical attention and delivering safe drinking water.”
Relief Supplies and aid are carried onto a plane that will transport them to areas of Guatemala affected by recent flooding. (Photo Credit: IFRC)
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Generous donations
Guatemalan Red Cross branches are working with the municipal and departmental coordination offices to ensure efficient and effective rescue efforts. Donation centres have been established across the country and at the Guatemalan Red Cross headquarters.
“We want to thank the thousands of Guatemalans and the private sector who have made donations to support this work,” said Teresa. “However, there is still a great deal of work to do so we will need that support to continue.”
The official number of dead stands at 652, although several communities have been buried by landslides and actual figures are estimated to be close to 2,000. Preliminary official statistics show that an estimated 136,609 people have been affected. Of these, 107,833 are now in one of the 364 equipped shelters.
A total of 515 communities are confirmed to have been affected, 1,478 homes destroyed and 5,352 homes damaged. The figures may change as more communities are reached or reports from them are received.
Guatemalan Red Cross volunteers form a "human chain" to transfer relief supplies and aid to delivery trucks. (Photo Credit: IFRC)
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The Guatemalan Red Cross has already sent 25 planes filled with food, medicines and clothes to the most affected regions of Coatepeque, Tecún Umán, Tejuela, Mazatenango and Retalhuleu. It has distributed food in more than 200 temporary shelters and is directly managing 32 shelters. A team of volunteer doctors is also providing basic medical care and psychological support to those made homeless.
Hurricane Stan struck in Guatemala on 1 October. Several regions of the South Pacific have been affected by severe floods and landslides. Important communications infrastructure including electrical and telephone lines and roads have been damaged by mudslides, flooding and rivers overflowing. Radio is currently the main means of communication.
This article, which was originally published on October 13, 2005, appears courtesy of the International Federation of Red Cross/Red Crescent Societies.
A Note Regarding In-Kind Donations
Please remember that the American Red Cross is not able to accept small, individual donations or collections of items for emergency relief supplies. The decision to transport bulk donations from the U.S. is based solely on the needs identified by the relief operation and the availability of local resources. If you represent a company wishing to offer supplies in bulk, please contact your local Red Cross chapter.
You can help the victims of countless crises around the world each year, crises like the Myanmar Cyclone and China Earthquake, by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross International Response Fund, which will provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster please do so at the time of your donation by either contacting 1-800-HELP NOW or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish), or mailing your donation with the designation to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013 or to your local American Red Cross chapter. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.
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