Direct Relief Sending Eight Emergency Shipments for Flood Relief in Central America

November 2, 2011

This week Direct Relief is shipping eight (8) shipments of emergency supplies to key partners responding to the severe flooding in Central America.  FUSAL in El Salvador, American Nicaraguan Foundation (ANF) in Nicaragua, Caritas de Guatemala in Guatemala and Project Global Village (PAG) in Honduras will each receive one air shipment of the most critically-needed essential pharmaceuticals and supplies, followed by a large ocean shipment of supplies.  The shipments are collectively worth over $417,000 (wholesale) and include antibiotics, gastro-intestinal and topical medications, first aid materials, infant formula and nutritional supplements, disinfectants, and cold formulas.

In addition to the air and ocean freight shipments, four partners in the affected region have opened their pre-placed Hurricane Preparedness Modules in response to the flooding: the American Nicaraguan Foundation (ANF) in Nicaragua, FUSAL in El Salvador, God’s Child Project in Guatemala, and Project Global Village in Honduras.  Each pack contains nearly $50,000 (wholesale) in medicines and supplies—enough to treat up to 5,000 people for one month.

Chester Thomas of Project Global Village in Honduras reports treating both ailments caused by the flooding, such as childhood pneumonia, skin infections, and respiratory problems, as well as  chronic conditions such as AIDs, chronic respiratory problems, and heart problems.  He said in an email about the hurricane preparedness pack, “Having [food and water] and your medicines was the very best we could have done to provide emergency and immediate relief to many people.  The emergency module with the key medicines is an excellent strategy… it is efficient, cost effective and provides a 95% response to immediate health care needs following a natural disaster.”

News sources are reporting over 100 people have died, 56,000 have been displaced, and over 1 million have been affected by the devastation caused by the severe flooding and mud slides from Guatemala to Nicaragua. Direct Relief continues to monitor the situation and may deliver additional shipments depending on the needs of our partners.

Direct Relief Responding to Urgent Needs Following Flooding, Mudslides

October 17, 2011

Direct Relief’s emergency response team is sourcing aid for people in El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Honduras affected by heavy rains that have caused flooding and mudslides there, displacing thousands of people and killing 66. The team has been in contact with longtime partners in the region to determine specific needs and has authorized the use of pre-positioned emergency aid for this response.

FUSAL in El Salvador has requested specific items that Direct Relief is working to source from standing inventory to meet urgent needs of people evacuated from their homes or otherwise displaced. Needed items include personal hygiene products like soap, shampoo, toothpaste and toothbrush, sanitary napkins, disposable razors, and diapers for babies and adults.

FUSAL reports that 209 shelters have been opened on the national level in El Salvador to accommodate the almost 14,000 people who have been evacuated or otherwise displaced from their homes. The heavy rains are expected to continue through October 26; a national state of emergency was declared on October 14.

Direct Relief pre-positioned hurricane preparedness modules in El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Honduras earlier this year and has authorized the use of these emergency medical materials for the flood response. God’s Child Project in Guatemala and Project Global Village in Honduras will tap into these materials as needed. The modules include enough medical aid to treat approximately 5,000 people for a month; materials are tailored to treat conditions often seen in patients during hurricane- and flood-related emergencies.

Direct Relief will closely monitor the situation in Central America and support the response as needs are identified.