Hurricane Stan - Mexico, Central America
Disaster Overview
Hurricane Stan, which made landfall south of Veracruz, Mexico, on Oct. 4, 2005, during the region’s rainy season, brought severe flooding and landslides to several Central American countries and southern Mexico. El Salvador and Guatemala were particularly hard hit as they were not only struggling with the flooding and landslides but with recent volcanic activity and earthquakes also.
El Salvador – The combined emergencies of the eruption of the Santa Ana (Ilamatepec) volcano on Oct. 1 and flooding caused by Hurricane Stan resulted in 68 deaths and the sheltering of 26,000 people, according to the Government of El Salvador. As of Nov. 15, the alert level within a three-mile radius of the Santa Ana volcano’s central crater remained at "Red," the highest level. According to the United Nations World Food Program (WFP), the number of people in shelters as a result of the volcanic eruption and flooding or landslides caused by Hurricane Stan remained at a stable 12,000, as of Nov. 11.
Guatemala – Hurricane Stan caused 669 deaths, directly affected more than 470,000 other lives, damaged or destroyed almost 35,000 homes and partially or completely wiped out the sanitation and water systems of entire villages. According to preliminary figures from the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, damages and losses from Hurricane Stan are valued at about $983 million. The damage to agriculture, according to Guatemala’s Ministry of Agriculture, is valued at around $46 million, with those who depended on terracing particularly affected. On Nov. 11, WFP warned that those affected by Hurricane Stan may face a severe hunger crisis as early as this Christmas. There is concern that, as the cold weather intensifies, people will need to increase their caloric intake. Without sufficient nourishment and with many sanitation and water systems damaged, people will become susceptible to disease.
The country’s “State of National Calamity” declaration has been extended until Nov. 30 so that emergency assistance may continue to be provided. Reconstruction and water system rehabilitation activities are underway.
Mexico – Hurricane Stan resulted in 15 deaths, 1.5 million people affected, and 370,000 people displaced, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
American Red Cross Response
The American Red Cross is providing disaster response assistance to affected national societies in coordination with International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Movement) partners.
In particular, the American Red Cross is supporting the Mexican Red Cross in purchasing relief items for immediate distribution and the restocking of Mexican Red Cross warehouses. In El Salvador, the American Red Cross has placed three staff and two vehicles at the disposal of the Salvadoran Red Cross Society for this response. A fourth American Red Cross staff member is supporting the Guatemalan Red Cross in its disaster response and planning for ongoing activities.
The American Red Cross is accepting International Disaster Welfare Inquiries (IDWIs) for the disaster-affected areas of Mexico, El Salvador and Guatemala only. IDWIs must be for sought persons whose permanent residence is in the affected areas and who were in regular contact with their relatives in the U.S. before the disaster and for immediate family members only who are not U.S. citizens. (See “Finding Missing Loved Ones”)
The American Red Cross continues to closely monitor the situation and to maintain contact with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (Federation) and the Federation’s Pan American Disaster Response Unit regarding this disaster. American Red Cross International Response Team members are on-call for deployment as necessary. Additional American Red Cross response options will be considered further, and in coordination with Movement partners, as the situation evolves and more information becomes available regarding emerging needs.
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A Coordinated Effort
The American Red Cross role in responding to an international disaster is different from its response to a disaster in the United States. It works in a coordinated manner with many global partners, taking into consideration how the organization can provide unique, specialized assistance in the areas where it can best help.
The American Red Cross works alongside the other Red Cross societies from around the world, and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (also known as the Federation) helps coordinate the response efforts of the various societies to minimize a duplication of efforts and ensure coverage of relief needs. |
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Understand International Red Cross Movement |
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Learn more about the American Red Cross Role in International Emergency Response |
Finding Missing Loved Ones
Inquiries concerning U.S. citizens who were living in or visiting a disaster-impacted area should be referred to the U.S. Department of State, Office of Overseas Citizens Services, at 1-888-407-4747.
For inquiries concerning non-U.S.citizens, the American Red Cross is accepting International Disaster Welfare Inquiries (IDWIs) for the disaster-affected areas of Mexico, El Salvador and Guatemala only. IDWIs must be for sought persons whose permanent residence is in the affected areas and who were in regular contact with their relatives in the U.S. before the disaster and for immediate family members only who are not U.S. citizens.
The American Red Cross will provide updates as they become available.
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For inquiries about U.S. citizens living/traveling abroad, call 1-888-407-4747 |
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Contact your local Red Cross chapter |
How to Support the Relief Efforts
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Donate to the International Response Fund |
You can help those affected by countless crises around the world each year 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. Making a financial contribution is the best way to help. To make a donation: |
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Call 1-800-RED CROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish) |
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Make at secure, online donation at www.redcross.org |
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Contact your local Red Cross chapter |
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Mail a Donation to:
American Red Cross
P.O. Box 37243
Washington, D.C. 20013
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The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate a donation for a specific disaster please do so at the time of donation.
NOTE: The Red Cross has a four-star rating from Charity Navigator for its effective use of donations. |
About Offers to Volunteer
While the American Red Cross deeply appreciates the compassion and generosity of those who offer to volunteer internationally, the organization maintains a specially-trained team of relief workers experienced with responding to international disasters of this nature.
The American Red Cross does not anticipate a need for additional international volunteers at this time.
The Red Cross is a volunteer led and driven organization that responds to domestic disasters - big and small - on a daily basis. Red Cross volunteers help their neighbors recover from the so-called "silent disasters" such as house fires that don't make headlines even though they can be as devastating to the victims as large scale disasters. Red Cross volunteers also may register with their local chapters for deployment to help with relief efforts in response to large-scale (regional or national) disasters such as hurricanes.
To get involved and learn more about becoming a domestic volunteer, contact your local chapter. |
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Find your Local Red Cross Chapter |
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Or, visit VolunteerMatch.org to search for Red Cross volunteer opportunities in your area |
About Donations of Goods or Collected Items
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.
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Read more About Collections of Goods and Individual Items |
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Find your Local Red Cross Chapter |
Media Inquiries
Please visit the American Red Cross Press Room on Redcross.org for the latest press releases, media advisories or statements, links to available news photos, video and public service announcements. |
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Visit the Press Room on Redcross.org |
NATIONAL and INTERNATIONAL Medial Requests ONLY: Please call Disaster Public Affairs |
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Call Disaster Public Affairs at 202-303-5551 |
LOCAL Media: Please contact the American Red Cross Chapter nearest you.
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Find the closest Red Cross Chapter |
Public Comments or Questions
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Public requests, including private citizen, business, or student: |
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Visit the Contact Us page |
Additional Resources
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