Information Bulletin N=B0 01
The Disaster
Hurricane Pauline, widely reported as
Mexico's worst natural disaster in a decade, is now receding after leaving
a trail of death and destruction up to 50 km inland from the country's
Pacific coastline. Hardest hit has been the cities of Acapulco and Oaxaca,
where, according to latest reports this morning, some 400 people are dead
and hundreds injured, with 50,000 left homeless. In Guerrero state, 41
cm of rain fell in 24 hours sending flood waters and mudslides through
shanty towns on the
slopes above Acapulco Bay, as the hurricane, packing winds of more than
180 kph tore through the coast. The disaster, significantly worse than
expected, struck just one week after Tropical Storm Olaf hit the same area,
bringing a double dose of misery to vulnerable communities.
Red Cross/Red Crescent Action
Mexican Red Cross volunteers and staff
were rapidly into action deploying search and rescue teams in the immediate
aftermath of the disaster. The Society continues to provide food, water,
and other necessities, like clothing, blankets and water purification supplies,
milk powder and other non-perishable foods, blankets, and medical supplies
to hurricane victims staying in government-run shelters in the states of
Guerrero, Oaxaca and Chiapas. To date 100 tonnes of Red Cross relief
supplies have been distributed to Hurricane Pauline victims. With Tropical
Storm Olaf hitting the same area last week, relief stocks were on hand.
Trained Red Cross disaster relief workers are in the affected areas while
additional Red Cross workers are arriving from throughout Mexico. Just
hours into the catastrophe supplies and relief workers traversed flooded
regions by boat to reach the most devastated areas. Red Cross medical personnel
are providing first aid/triage to the injured while the Society is also
supporting sheltering operations to house and feed hundreds of displaced
people. In addition, the Mexican Red Cross is following up large numbers
of disaster welfare enquiries with vigour.
Yesterday (Friday), the American Red
Cross announced that it is sending an initial donation of US$ 25,000 to
the Mexican Red Cross to assist with immediate operational needs.
At the request of the Mexican Society, the American Red Cross is forwarding
reinforced plastic sheeting for temporary roof and house repairs as well
as mops, brooms, buckets, sponges, bleach and cleaning chemicals to support
the massive clean-up efforts in the days ahead. Offers of assistance have
been received also from the German Red Cross and the European Community.
The International Federation's Geneva
Secretariat remains on stand by over this weekend.