Date: Fri, 06 Nov 1998 17:58:10 -0400
From: Vera Britto <fiatlux-AT-umich.edu>
Subject: Re: Hurricane Mitch relief




David L. Frye wrote: "David L. Frye" <dfrye-AT-umich.edu>

> This message is occasioned by a number of messages and queries regarding
> the devastation of Central America by Hurricane Mitch. There is very
> disturbing news on two fronts. First, the human and economic toll of the
> hurricane is of incredible magnitude. Thousands were killed and entire
> villages and much of the national infrastructure was destroyed in
> Nicaragua and Honduras. Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, and southern
> Mexico were also affected, though I have seen few reports from these
> countries. Second, I have read unconfirmed reports to the effect that the
> Aleman government in Nicaragua is "pulling a Somoza," so to speak, with
> relief efforts -- confiscating and/or taxing materials sent through NGO's
> and funneling relief through government agencies controlled by Aleman
> family members.
>
> There are two parts to this message: first, how to contribute to relief
> efforts; second, reports from the affected areas.
>
>
> If you wish to make a donation, agencies involved in relief efforts
> include:
>
> American Red Cross, International Response Fund (P.O. Box 37243,
> Washington, D.C. 20013). Tel: 800-HELP-NOW. (Washtenaw County agency:
> 971-5300)
>
> CARE (151 Ellis Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30303-2426). Tel: 800-422-7385
>
> Oxfam America - Central America Relief Fund (26 West St., Boston, MA
> 02111). Tel: 800-77-O-X-F-A-M
>
> Save the Children - Hurricane Mitch Emergency Appeal (P.O. Box 975-M, 54
> Wilton Road, Westport, CT 06880). Tel: 800-243-5075
>
> Baptist World Aid, 6733 Curran Street, McLean, Va. 22101-3804, Tel: (703)
> 790-8980
>
> Catholic Relief Services (P.O. Box 17090, Baltimore, MD 21203-7090). Tel:
> 800-235-2772
>
> Church World Services (28606 Phillips Street, P.O. Box 968, Elkhart, IN
> 46515). Tel: 800-297-1516, ext. 222
>
> Doctors without Borders, 6 E. 39th St, NY NY 10016. Tel: 888-312-0392
>
> Doctors of the World, 375 West Broadway, Fourth Floor, New York, N.Y.
> 10012, Tel: (212) 226-7026
>
> Map International (2200 Glynco Parkway, PO Box 215000, Bruinswick, GA
> 31521-5000). Tel: 800-225-8550
>
> World Relief (P.O. Box WRC, Dept. 3, Wheaton, IL 60189). Tel: 800-535-5433
>
> Alternatives for donations to Nicaragua:
>
> The Nicaragua Network, 1247 E Street, SE, Washington, DC 20003; make
> checks out to "NNEF/AGJ" and include "hurricane relief" on the memo line
>
> Pueblito Canada, #304 - 720 Spadina Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M5S 2T9. Tel:
> 416-963-8846; fax: 416-963-8853; e-mail: <pueblito-AT-web.net>
>
> 2. Effects of the hurricane. The full extent of the damage is still
> unknown, but these are the figures I have received to date:
>
> Killed: 6500 in Honduras (and 11,000 still missing), up to 3800 in
> Nicaragua, 240 in El Salvador, 200 in Guatemala.
>
> Left homeless: 500,000 in Honduras (specifics below), 70,000 in Nicaragua.
>
> Directly affected: 2,000,000 in Honduras, 750,000 in Nicaragua, 58,000 in
> El Salvador, 78,000 in Guatemala.
>
> Economic damage: In Honduras, estimated at $1 billion already, mainly in
> the banana industry; an additional $2 million/day in the maquiladoras;
> more than 70% of beans and rice crops lost; roads destroyed, populations
> isolated. In Nicaragua, over 2500 km of road have been affected, and over
> 64 bridges wiped out. In Costa Rica, major damage to the coffee crop. In
> Guatemala, $750,000,000 damage, 25% of the coffee crop lost, roads to
> remaining coffee production areas are inaccessible, and much of the sugar
> crop feared destroyed.
>
> More details on Nicaragua: 174 communities have been completely cut off
> and can only be reached by helicopter (the Nicaraguan army has only 7).
> Twenty-four major roads, 64 bridges, and approximately 5,100 homes have
> been destroyed by the storm. The cities of Matagalpa, Jinotega and Esteli
> have been completely cut off from communications.
>
> More details on Honduras: In Tegucigalpa, some 80,000 homeless. 75% of the
> population of 800,000 is isolated and cut off from means of communication.
> More than a dozen neighborhoods were wiped out by floods or buried under
> landslides. Choluteca/ South: 225,000 homeless; number of dead unknown.
> San Pedro Sula (north/ fastest growing city in Central America): 270,000
> living in emergency shelters; 70,000 homeless; 113 dead; 200 missing as of
> Sunday. El Progreso (north/ on border of Ulua river/banana town): 65,000
> homeless; 100,000 living in emergency camps; 5,000 waiting to be rescued
> from banana camps near the city. number of dead unknown. La Lima
> (headquarters of Chiquita): 30,000 living in community shelters;  number
> of dead unknown. Puerto Cortes: 30,000 homeless; number of dead unknown.
> Colon, Atlantida, Bay Islands (coastal areas): 200 dead; 100 missing as of
> Saturday, Oct. 31. Lack of communication with communities in much of these
> areas has prevented more in depth and precise assessments of losses.