Domingo Flores and Mónica Planas
It will take months, maybe years, before people in Honduras recover from the trail of death and destruction left by Hurricane Stan. Two weeks after the worst flooding and landslides to hit the region, many are still coming to terms with the destruction.
Many have lost everything they have worked all their lives to build; others have lost loved ones.
“We lost everything we had,” said one villager from Choluteca, one of the worst-affected areas. “Our belongings, our farm jobs, everything, but we are happy that we are alive.”
The Honduras Red Cross has launched the Honduran Red Cross Hurricane Stan Plan of Action campaign that seeks to help at least 6,000 families in the south Honduran territory. Through the campaign, these families will benefit from a one-month humanitarian aid distribution plan.
The Honduran Red Cross, with financial support from the Swedish Red Cross, will proceed with its distribution of aid in 18 communities of Nacaome and Alianza, both in the Valle Department. In the initial distribution, 500 families will receive hygiene kits and food that will last at least 20 days. A total of 40 tons of food is expected to be delivered.
“Damages caused by Hurricane Stan in Honduras are numerous,” said Juan Jose Castro, a member of the Honduras Red Cross. “We will continue to bring support to those affected. Our volunteers are participating and doing the best they can in the circumstances.”
Many of the communities’ basic needs such as clean drinking water are not available and there is a real fear of consequent disease. The Honduras Red Cross is therefore also providing water trucks to stop people from using what might be unsafe water. For some people, this is the first time in two months that they have been given safe water to drink.
“Our main objective is to help bring hope to those affected by the floods and fulfil our objective of assisting the most vulnerable,” added Mr Castro.
Throughout parts of Honduras, many people are trying to get back on their feet after the worse hurricane since Hurricane Mitch swept through Central America in 1998. Recognising the fear and helplessness felt by people across this region, the Red Cross quickly mobilised its resources to try and ease some of their suffering.
More than 2,000 Red Cross volunteers and staff are carrying out emergency operations in eight Central American countries to help more than 10,000 families affected by Hurricane Stan..
On 17 October, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies launched a revised appeal for Central America, Mexico and Haiti for more than six million Swiss francs (USD 4.7 million/3.9 million Euros). This is a significant increase on the initial appeal made on 7 October for 1.5 million Swiss francs.
The revised appeal will support the response of local Red Cross National Societies in assisting 50,250 people in Guatemala, Mexico, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Haiti for six months. The Federation has also deployed a number of people to assist in the recovery efforts.