Hurricane Eta-disaster strikes Ometepe!

 On 3rd November I received the news that a hurricane was on its way and that already there were strong winds and rain.  Next the power lines were lost.  On 4th November parts of the Caribbean coast were evacuated as a national disaster struck.  I hoped that Ometepe being more centrally located and in the lake would be protected.  But no. Later that day came the news that crops had been flattened, the roads were like rivers and poorer homes had been badly damaged.  Everyone was in a state of shock.  Marvin's comment was that he preferred the plants to be killed than the people!  But it is their livelihood and their food.




The poorest people live in makeshift homes of wood, plastic, sometimes a bit of tin on the roof, and many of these had blown apart or had water run straight through them.




I want to offer sincere thanks to those who responded to my Facebook appeal and within 24 hours had provided funds for immediate help.  Marvin set about gathering food for these families which was distributed together with his bananas, which could not be stored for selling.



Grateful thanks are due to Marvin and Sylvia who battled through the mud and rain to make deliveries.  A few days later the medicines were delivered to help those with respiratory illnesses, anaemia and many other childhood problems.  The gratitude was overwhelming;  it made me long to be there and help them in more practical ways.



More food will be delivered later and we will assess repairs to the housing and address that next too.


Let's hope the follow up hurricane Teta doesn't materialise.


Delivery of zinc sheets to repair homes.












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