The middle of October, 2008 brought heavy and continuous rainfall to the Central American countries of Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Belize. The rainfall has resulted in flooding and mudslides in numerous regions throughout the affected countries. Honduras, Central America’s poorest nation, has suffered the most, with heavy rainfall pummeling the western and central regions of the country. In Honduras, 279,000 people are currently affected by the floods and 33 have died as a result. Over 2,200 homes were completely destroyed with an additional 11,000 houses damaged by the floods. Several thousands have taken refuge in emergency shelters as all but one of the country’s 18 state departments have been flooded and 40% of municipalities in Honduras are affected by the flooding. The government of Honduras declared a state of emergency on October 19th and has formally requested humanitarian assistance. Some of the affected areas are only accessible by boat, impeding the frequency and speed of delivery of aid.
GlobalMedic will be deploying 3 members of its Rapid Response Team (RRT) to Honduras. The RRT will bring with them 15 water purification units capable of providing 15,000 people per day with clean drinking water. In addition, 2 million Aquatab water purification tablets capable of purifying 2 million litres of water, and 48,000 Oral Rehydration Sachets will be distributed.
November 9, 2008
The GlobalMedic RRT members distributed water purification systems and water purification tablets throughout villages in the Sonaguera district today. The villages included Rio de Piedra, La Cubana, Geoconda and Arenas. In total the team installed and trained locals on the operation of 6 Trekker units. These units can provide clean drinking water for up to 6,000 people daily. In addition, 350,000 Aquatab water purification tablets were distributed which can purify 350,000 litres of water.
November 8, 2008
The GlobalMedic RRT members established a base of operations in La Ceiba yesterday, and started distributing water purification systems and water purification tablets throughout Sonaguera today. Sonaguera is a 1 hour drive from La Ceiba and was the most affected area in Honduras. In total the team installed and trained locals on the operation of 4 Trekker units. These units can provide clean drinking water for up to 4,000 people daily. In addition, 200,000 Aquatab water purification tablets were distributed which can purify 200,000 litres of water.
November 7, 2008
“GlobalMedic RRT members continued to provide victims of the flooding in Honduras with clean drinking water today. The traveled into the areas of Las Chumbus and Rio Chiquito, north of El Progreso, and distributed 15,000 Aquatab water purification tablets and installed and ran a Trekker water purification unit to provide for local villagers. The team will move north tomorrow into the areas of La Cieba and Sonaguera to continue their work.”
November 6, 2008
Three GlobalMedic RRT members arrived in El Progreso, Honduras today. The city is a 4 hour drive north of the country’s capital Tegucigalpa. The city of El Progreso has been hardest hit by the flooding resulting from weeks of torrential rains. The RRT traveled by road in trucks, and on river by boat to reach affected populations cut off from access to roadways. The team delivered 1 Trekker water purification unit and 50,000 Aquatab water purification tablets which will support over 1,000 beneficiaries.
