Alert

Honduras - 1/2007

Floods in the departments of Valle and Francisco Morazán

Geneva, 24 October, 2007

Torrential rains have hit the Central American region as a result of a low pressure system over the Yucatán Peninsula. The rain started on October 10, 2007 and continued until October 18, 2007.

In Honduras, the Permanent Commission for Emergencies (COPECO) declared on October 19, 2007 a Yellow Alert for the departments of Choluteca, Valle and the southern parts of the departments of El Paraíso and Francisco Morazán.

Members of the ACT Honduras Forum have conducted an assessment within the department of Valle in 18 communities of the municipality of Alianza and in 7 communities in the municipality of Aramecina. Also, in the department of Francisco Morazán the team assessed 14 communities in the municipality of Curaren. ACT members report that these three municipalities are among the most vulnerable in Honduras.

These communities have been severely affected by floods and landslides as a result of the heavy rains. Some of the communities are presently isolated as roads and bridges have been damaged or destroyed. As the team assessed the situation across the area, some of the isolated villages could only be reached by telephone. Houses have been flooded and most of the field crops, maize, beans and sorghum have also been destroyed.

ACT members also report that populations are suffering from health conditions including skin diseases and dengue fever. Fifty-five cases of diarrhea have been reported in these areas from a lack of sanitation and safe drinking water.

The mayors' offices in these three municipalities have declared an emergency and are urgently requesting outside help. At this moment, COPECO, the Red Cross and the local fire departments are trying to evacuate affected populations. However, communities are still lacking food, hygiene and medical care.

After completing a joint assessment mission in 18 communities, the ACT Honduras Forum has determined the most urgent needs, which include food assistance, hygiene kits, water purification and medical supplies. A response is currently being planned for 495 families in Alianza, 88 families in Aramecina and 100 families in Curaren.

The ACT Honduras Forum is preparing a Rapid Response Fund Request and ACT member, Lutheran World Federation (LWF) will be the implementing the planned response with its local partner, Fundación Simiente. LWF has been working in the affected region for close to two years.

Any funding indication or pledge should be communicated to Jessie Kgoroeadira, ACT Finance Officer (jkg@act-intl.org).

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ACT is a global alliance of churches and related agencies working to save lives and support communities in emergencies worldwide. The ACT Coordinating Office is based with the World Council of Churches (WCC) and The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in Switzerland.