NewsNet: Flooding in Honduras
Ten years ago, Hurricane Mitch ripped into Honduras with merciless force, sweeping away bridges and roads, demolishing whole villages and turning mountainsides into mudslides. The storm " one of the deadliest hurricanes in recorded history " claimed the lives of 10,000 people and left more than 3 million homeless. But on this somber anniversary, Hondurans were granted no respite. Instead, they are enduring yet another natural disaster which has hit with cruel and uncanny timing. Severe flooding caused by heavy rains has created a humanitarian crisis and prompted the President of Honduras to declare a state of national emergency.
Ten years ago, Hurricane Mitch ripped into Honduras with merciless force, sweeping away bridges and roads, demolishing whole villages and turning mountainsides into mudslides. The storm " one of the deadliest hurricanes in recorded history " claimed the lives of 10,000 people and left more than 3 million homeless. But on this somber anniversary, Hondurans were granted no respite. Instead, they are enduring yet another natural disaster which has hit with cruel and uncanny timing. Severe flooding caused by heavy rains has created a humanitarian crisis and prompted the President of Honduras to declare a state of national emergency. Ten years ago, Hurricane Mitch ripped into Honduras with merciless force, sweeping away bridges and roads, demolishing whole villages and turning mountainsides into mudslides. The storm " one of the deadliest hurricanes in recorded history " claimed the lives of 10,000 people and left more than 3 million homeless. But on this somber anniversary, Hondurans were granted no respite. Instead, they are enduring yet another natural disaster which has hit with cruel and uncanny timing. Severe flooding caused by heavy rains has created a humanitarian crisis and prompted the President of Honduras to declare a state of national emergency.
According to the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, more than 300,000 people in the Central American country have been affected and over 70,000 are in need of shelter. There have been an estimated 60 deaths. As many as 100,000 people " including 35,000 children " do not have access to safe drinking water. UNICEF responded immediately to the crisis and has distributed thousands of essential pre-positioned supplies, including medical kits, blankets, and hygiene kits that are crucial in thwarting water-borne diseases.News coverage of the disaster " and the ongoing need for further assistance " has been minimal. Some U.S. newspapers ran briefs. The U.S. Presidential election no doubt eclipsed many other news events over the last few weeks. Read these reports on Honduras' flooding emergency in the Associated Press, Reuters and The Miami Herald. BACKGROUND NOTE: More than 70,000 people have also been affected by flooding in neighboring Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador and Belize. The 2008 hurricane season has also caused extensive destruction in Haiti and Cuba. Crop damage due to flooding and other weather events can also further exacerbate existing food shortages and make life even more precarious for those already struggling to survive. Were you aware of UNICEF's efforts to help those affected by flooding in Honduras? What other news events in the developing world are not getting the media attention they deserve? Let me know.
