US Aid to Guatemala after Disaster

From the U.S. State Department blog:

The eruption of Volcano Pacaya and Tropical Depression Agatha have claimed nearly 200 lives, injured an additional 100, and forced nearly 150,000 people to evacuate their homes. Flooding and mudslides have also damaged electrical, communication, and transportation infrastructure, further impeding evacuation efforts and search and rescue operations. In addition, a 100-foot sink hole swallowed an entire intersection and apartment building.

The United States has responded to the crisis caused by these natural disasters, conducting relief operations in Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. The majority of efforts have focused on Guatemala, the country that was hit the hardest. Throughout the crisis, the helicopters from the Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL), rescued over 150 people from flooded areas, delivered 65,000 pounds of supplies, and conducted aerial damage assessments. USAID's Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance provided $150,000 for the local purchase of emergency relief supplies, including blankets and shelter materials, for flood- and volcano-affected communities. USAID also activated a nine-person assessment team in Guatemala, including a regional advisor, a military liaison officer, and a Guatemala-based disaster risk management specialist. In addition, the Department of Defense has sent Joint Task Force-Bravo from Honduras to assist in relief efforts, whose helicopters and personnel have helped transport more than 94,000 pounds of relief supplies to six communities in need. In total, the U.S. government spent roughly $840,000 on these operations in Central America.

U.S. Embassy officials, Department of Defense personnel, USAID and Government of Guatemala officials continue to work together to monitor humanitarian conditions in affected areas. Damage assessments are underway to provide the U.S. and Guatemalan governments with a better picture of what will be needed in the rebuilding phase. See pictures of Bravo's relief efforts. The U.S. Embassy in Guatemala has posted pictures of their efforts in their Flickr stream, and INL has pictures on their Facebook page.

http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/site/entry/guatemala_disaster