Guatemala Volcano Response 2018

On Sunday, June 3, 2018, the Fuego Volcano near Guatemala City erupted. It was the strongest eruption since 1974, carrying deadly pyroclastic flows – fast moving currents of hot gas and volcanic matter – up to 40 km away. 1.7 million people were affected, nearly 13,000 were evacuated, 112 people were killed and 200 were missing. Heavy rains caused lahars – very fast-moving mudflows filled with rock particles from the eruption – and continued to put the local population at risk.

The affected population was in desperate need of support. Soot, ash and debris from the volcano cut off and contaminated fresh water sources. Water purification solutions were needed to protect families from deadly communicable diseases. GlobalMedic responded with the deployment of its Rapid Response Team and RescUAV Team and the distribution of urgently needed humanitarian aid.

1.7 MILLION PEOPLE AFFECTED

112 PEOPLE KILLED

13K PEOPLE DISPLACED

Smoke billowing from the erupting Fuego Volcano in Guatemala

Rapid Response Team Members walking toward the Fuego Volcano

GlobalMedic responded to provide affected families with safe, clean drinking water following the eruption of Fuego volcano in Guatemala. 800 Family Emergency Kits were sent, including 500 P&G Purifier of Water Kits and 300 Rainfresh Household Water Purification Kits. Each kit provided a family with clean drinking water for up to one year and included essential hygiene items. In all, these kits will support nearly 5,000 people.

World Vision staff member handing a GlobalMedic Family Emergency Kit to a group of Guatemalans

Rapid Response Team member kneeling beside an AquaResponse Water Purification System

A line of Guatemalan women standing with their GlobalMedic Family Emergency Kit in front of them

The Rapid Response Team also carried two AquaResponse3 Water Purification Units to provide clean drinking water to communities affected by the eruption. These portable community water systems can support between 2,000 to 3,000 people with safe drinking water each day.

Working with local partners, GlobalMedic’s Rapid Response Team distributed the Family Emergency Kits and operated the AquaResponse3 Units in communities with the greatest need.

RescUAV Team member standing in a field holding a UAV controller

GlobalMedic’s RescUAV Team worked tirelessly to provide 1,400 hectares of emergency maps of areas affected by the eruption of the Fuego Volcano. Tasked by the National Coordination for Disaster Reduction of Guatemala, the team mapped towns and roads damaged by the volcano. Recent heavy rains were causing rivers to swell and cut off access to roads. In response, the RescUAV Team mapped out evacuation routes for communities who were still at risk of volcanic activity and whose access could be limited by washed out roads.