Flooding in Honduras
October 25th 2008 02:38
Choluteca, Honduras -- It’s been a little rainy lately.
Tropical Storm 16 wasn’t exactly a hurricane, but sometimes a little bit of flooding is enough, especially for “high-risk” populations, such as those already living on the riverbanks.
Honduran Health Department Officials made a disaster response visit to this area, as evidenced by the press release in your servant’s inbox. Press Releases from the Departamento de Salud are always quite interesting.
Beginning with the important facts, officials state that 50% of the affected have received humanitarian relief and medical attention. They also estimate that they will need an additional $50,000 worth of food supplies for the next 15 days. Damage to roads and bridges is still preventing access to many areas.
One of the principal strategies in the disaster response is providing chlorine and instructions for using it to purify water. Health Department census data shows that 139 latrines were destroyed, and need to be rebuilt, to provide the normal (dismal) sewage treatment in the small towns and urban slums. In the meantime, your servant reminds you to not brush your teeth with tap water in Choluteca.
Another interesting anecdote, all the communities are being treated with the antibiotic Doxycycline, to prevent breakouts of Leptospirosis, due to the fact that the majority of the population wear no shoes. (Straight from the mouth of the Health Department).
Donations have already arrived including 26 tons of food from the World Food Program, 55 sacks of corn from Agrolibano (AKA, the company that was under suspicion of exporting salmonella melons to the US), and relief supplies, and medical brigades provided by the Cuban government.
Work continues, and authorities have identified 25 bridges which must be repaired, nearly 2,000 homes which were destroyed, and the aforementioned latrines which must be rebuilt post-haste. There will also be continuing operations to control insect infestations and epidemics.
Tropical Storm 16 wasn’t exactly a hurricane, but sometimes a little bit of flooding is enough, especially for “high-risk” populations, such as those already living on the riverbanks.
Tropical Storm 16 Floods Honduras
Honduran Health Department Officials made a disaster response visit to this area, as evidenced by the press release in your servant’s inbox. Press Releases from the Departamento de Salud are always quite interesting.
Beginning with the important facts, officials state that 50% of the affected have received humanitarian relief and medical attention. They also estimate that they will need an additional $50,000 worth of food supplies for the next 15 days. Damage to roads and bridges is still preventing access to many areas.
One of the principal strategies in the disaster response is providing chlorine and instructions for using it to purify water. Health Department census data shows that 139 latrines were destroyed, and need to be rebuilt, to provide the normal (dismal) sewage treatment in the small towns and urban slums. In the meantime, your servant reminds you to not brush your teeth with tap water in Choluteca.
Another interesting anecdote, all the communities are being treated with the antibiotic Doxycycline, to prevent breakouts of Leptospirosis, due to the fact that the majority of the population wear no shoes. (Straight from the mouth of the Health Department).
Donations have already arrived including 26 tons of food from the World Food Program, 55 sacks of corn from Agrolibano (AKA, the company that was under suspicion of exporting salmonella melons to the US), and relief supplies, and medical brigades provided by the Cuban government.
Work continues, and authorities have identified 25 bridges which must be repaired, nearly 2,000 homes which were destroyed, and the aforementioned latrines which must be rebuilt post-haste. There will also be continuing operations to control insect infestations and epidemics.
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