Tropical Storm Stan has brought large quantities of heavy rain to countries in Central America. ACT International is already at work in the region.
The rain that has fallen almost without cease since October 1st are the heaviest the region has seen in at least four years. Tropical Storm Stan is a cyclone system that originated in the Pacific before developing into a level one hurricane on Tuesday as it approached the south of Mexico.
Torrential rain has swollen rivers and caused widespread flooding and landslides over a large region stretching over a number of Central American countries. As many as 230 people are reported dead, many houses have been destroyed or simply swept away, leaving large numbers of people homeless, and agricultural land has been flooded.
As the weather slowly clears, a more accurate picture of the damage caused is emerging - and it seems to be alarmingly extensive. Norwegian Church Aid's international network, ACT International (Action By Churches Together), is now carrying out assessments of affected regions across Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and El Salvador.
In Guatemala, a state of red alert has been declared in some of the municipalities of Escuintla, Retalhuleu and San Marcos. In Escuintla alone, more than 280 communities have been affected. As many as 45,000 Guatemalans are estimated to be directly affected by the heavy rains, of whom up to 31,000 are currently being housed in shelters.
Rapid response
A preliminary transfer of US$ 50,000 from the ACT International Rapid Response Fund has been made available to ACT Guatemala in order to provide food aid to 18,000 people in the country's worst affected regions. The food parcels contain corn, beans, rice and oil and are intended as a preliminary measure while further assessments are carried out.
In Nicaragua, rains have caused heavy flooding in Atlantic coastal areas and the government has declared a state of emergency in the Waspan region. Norwegian Church Aid's partner through ACT International, Christian Medical Action (CMA) is already responding to the situation and is coordinating with other agencies in the region. They plan to provide food and medicines to avoid the spread of water borne diseases.
In El Salvador, heavy rainfall, combined with the eruption of the Santa Ana volcano last week, has caused so far about 80 deaths and severe damage to houses, crops and infrastructure. At least 17,000 people have been evacuated from their homes and are now either living with relatives or in shelters provided by the emergency authorities. Plans are being drafted to bring assistance to around 6,000 people, primarily in western regions of the country.
For more information, contact:
Erik Berge, Programme Coordinator, Central and Latin America, tel. (+47) 22 09 27 09
Laurie MacGregor, Press Officer, tel. (+47) 47 41 31 15