Guatemala's most violent volcano eruption in more than a century took place last weekend. The Fuego volcano, about 25 miles southwest of Guatemala City, spewed rock, gas, and ash into the sky. The mix of red-hot rock and gas, known as pyroclastic flow, rushed down the mountainside and engulfed villages. Unlike slow-moving lava, which people are able to escape from on foot, pyroclastic flows can reach extremely high speeds. Fast-moving flows killed dozens of Guatemalans inside their homes. Hundreds were INJURED AND DISPLACED, and many are missing.
This is how it looks:
- 99 People killed
- 192 Missing
- +12,000 evacuated
- 3,271 in shelters
- 1,702,136 Affected
- 3 Towns COMPLETELY destroyed
- Of those 99 killed, only 28 bodies have been identified.
Our people are passing through hard days because they lost everything and we know that this is just the beginning of a long path. Unfortunately, we are not able to depend on the government of Guatemala for a response. We, the people, have to come together for aid to have an impact.
HSP has established a special restricted fund for those wishing to partner with vetted local organizations in the region engaged in emergency response and reconstruction. Initially, the fund will support the Parroquia Santo Hermano Pedro relief efforts and help first responders on the ground meet immediate needs for food, fuel, clean water, hygiene products, and shelter.
Once initial relief work is complete, we will be partnering with the Parroquia and coordinating with Father Walter García for the long-term support for survivors and their families. We believe that organizations that are deeply rooted in local communities are in the best position to provide long-term support for survivors of natural disasters like this eruption. By funding the rebuilding efforts through local organizations, donations to this fund will increase the capacity and improve the resiliency of these communities to adapt and access opportunity.
Through the link below you can make a monetary donation and will be delivered to the organization who is working directly with the communities affected by the eruption.
