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Guatemala + 2 more

Latin America and the Caribbean - Hurricane Season 2010 Fact Sheet #1, Fiscal Year (FY) 2010

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BACKGROUND AND KEY DEVELOPMENTS

- Between May 26 and May 30, Tropical Storm Agatha formed near Central America, making landfall along the western coast of Guatemala and causing heavy rainfall in 21 of 22 Guatemalan departments. The subsequent eruption of the Pacaya volcano on May 27 exacerbated the humanitarian needs resulting from the tropical storm. Heavy rains and flooding associated with Tropical Storm Agatha also affected all of El Salvador's 14 departments and four western departments in Honduras.

- On May 30, U.S. Ambassador to Guatemala Stephen G. McFarland issued a disaster declaration due to the combined effects of Tropical Storm Agatha and the May 27 eruption of the Pacaya volcano. In response, USAID/OFDA provided $100,000 through USAID/Guatemala for the local purchase of emergency relief supplies, including blankets and shelter materials, for flood- and volcano-affected communities. USAID/OFDA also activated a nine-person assessment team in Guatemala, including a regional advisor, a military liaison officer, and a Guatemala-based disaster risk management specialist.

- In response to a U.S. Department of State (DoS) request, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has deployed a team to assist with emergency operations through U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) to augment the U.S. Military Group at the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala City, in addition to a helicopter detachment from Joint Task Force-Bravo (JTF-B).

- On May 30, U.S. Chargé d'Affaires to El Salvador Robert I. Blau declared a disaster due to the effects of Tropical Storm Agatha. In response, USAID/OFDA provided $100,000 through USAID/El Salvador for the local purchase and distribution of emergency relief supplies, including fuel for emergency response vehicles, shelter materials, and hygiene kits. As of June 4, a three-person USAID/OFDA assessment team, including an El Salvador-based disaster risk management specialist, was on the ground conducting damage assessments.

- On May 30, U.S. Ambassador to Honduras Hugo Llorens issued a disaster declaration due to the effects of Tropical Storm Agatha. In response, USAID/OFDA provided $50,000 through USAID/Honduras for the local purchase of emergency relief supplies, including blankets and shelter materials for at least 3,500 flood evacuees.