TEGUCIGALPA, HONDURAS (October 23, 2008) – CARE is rushing emergency assistance to flood-affected families in Honduras, after heavy rains caused severe flooding and destroyed homes and crops, affecting more than 190,000 people. More than 800mm (almost three feet) of rain has fallen over the past several days in some areas – more than the total rainfall unleashed by the devastating Hurricane Mitch 10 years ago.
The government has declared a state of emergency and appealed for international aid. The immediate needs are safe drinking water, food, blankets and tents for the tens of thousands left homeless.
“This is the worst disaster this country has seen since Hurricane Mitch,” said Arnaldo Bueso Hernandez, CARE’s Program Director in Honduras. “And in some ways, this is worse. During Hurricane Mitch, the damages were limited to specific areas. Now, almost the entire country has been devastated - 17 out of the18 areas of the country are damaged. Everybody needs help.”
CARE is providing immediate assistance of personal hygiene kits, kitchen kits and safe drinking water to more than 11,000 people in shelters on the Atlantic coast and in the capital of Tegucigalpa. As part of the coordinated nationwide response, CARE will concentrate its relief efforts on Ramal del Tigre and Valle de Sula on the Northern Atlantic coast, an area where entire communities have disappeared and others are on the verge of being submerged by rising floodwaters.
CARE is appealing for funds in order to expand our response to provide food, medical assistance and clothing to thousands more in need in the coming days.
About CARE: CARE is one of the world’s largest international humanitarian agencies, working to help poor communities in 70 countries around the world. CARE has been working in Honduras since 1954, and currently provides programs in maternal and child health and nutrition, small enterprise development, agroforestry, irrigation, micro-watershed protection and environmental education.
Media contacts:
Arnaldo Bueso Hernandez, Program Director, Of. +5042355055, Cell. +50499850331
Lurma Rackley, Public Relations Director (Atlanta), Mobile: +1.404.394.8298 e-mail: [email protected]
Melanie Brooks, Media and Communications Coordinator (Geneva), Mobile: +41.79.590.3047 e-mail: [email protected]