I just read about flooding in Guatemala City
Guatemala: Floods Information Bulletin No. 1The Federation’s mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity. It is the world’s largest humanitarian organization and its millions of volunteers are active in over 181 countries.
In Brief
This Bulletin (no. 01/2005) is being issued for information only, and reflects the status of the situation and information available at this time . The Federation is not seeking funding or other assistance from donors for this operation at this time.
The Situation
The annual rainy season in Guatemala has brought heavy rains to the country’s capital, Guatemala City, which has caused landslides and flooding and destroyed homes and infrastructure. To date, the extreme weather has caused seven deaths as people were buried under a landslide. The National Coordination Committee for the Reduction of Disasters (CONRED) has declared a red alert in the capital city and disaster relief personnel have been mobilized to respond to the needs. Shelters in various areas of the city are providing assistance to more than 1,000 people who have been affected by the floods or live in high-risk areas, particularly those living on the slopes of ravines or near rivers.
The municipality of Guatemala City manages the shelters in the area and is providing relief goods to the affected population. CONRED has also provided food, drinking water, blankets and mattresses to the shelters. Relief personnel have been working to rescue victims of the floods and recover bodies from landslides.
The national authorities are working to repair roads and clear away debris. The National Police is working to ensure the security of the affected areas of the city, which have been largely evacuated given the high risk of flooding and landslides.
Red Cross action
Volunteers from the Guatemalan Red Cross are working to provide assistance in all of the affected areas throughout the city. Operations carried out to date include:
- Supporting the management of the various shelters set up in Guatemala City
- Distributing medicines to the municipal authorities and patients in affected areas
- Providing assistance to patients suffering from respiratory or dermatological illnesses
- Transporting affected persons to shelters and health centres
- Evacuating residents from high-risk areas
- Supporting the carrying out of damage and needs assessments
link~
http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/ACIO-6EFSFV?OpenDocument