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.
“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.”
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.
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.
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Moments
when some of the aid being sent to the affected areas
is carried on the flight that will transport them to Guatemalan
affected by floods. (p13359)
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Guatemalan
Red Cross volunteers build human chain to transfer aid
to delivery trucks. (p13360)
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Guatemalan
Red Cross volunteers come from everywhere leaving there
daily liaisons to support the affected and lend a helping
hand. (p13358)
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News
