7 News Belize

Guatemalan Post - Volcano Saga Still Unfolding
posted (June 5, 2018)
At least 72 people are dead after Guatemala's worst volcanic eruption in more than a century. Thousands of people are displaced and in shelters, and entire villages are buried in what is unfolding as a true human catastrophe.

The "Volcan De Fuego" - located 25 miles from Guatemala City - erupted on Sunday - sending miles of pyroclastic flow -- a nasty mix of ash, rock and volcanic gases racing towards villages on the slopes of the volcano.

Now, Belize and Guatemala may have a standing dispute, but we are neighbors, and the human dimensions of this grim tragedy far outweigh any historical differences.

So, how can you help? Well, the Guatemalan Embassy in Belize said today that it will be able to receive donations as soon as CONRED - which is their version of NEMO - provides the official list of items. So, the Red Cross office in Belize says that for the meantime, the best you can do is donate money:...

Lily Bowman, Director General for The Belize Red Cross
"As usual we launched an appeal so that the Belizean public can support in any way they can however in our case we can only accept monetary donations, unfortunately, we do not have the storage capacity for in-kind donations or the resources to get them to Guatemala."

Sahar Vasquez, reporter
"Is there anything else people can do to assist the Guatemalans?"

Lily Bowman
"It depends on what the Guatemalan Government is asking for as well. We have to respect the fact that they are the leaders in their own response and they will be the ones to determine what their needs are for the international community if any. It is proactive on our side to launch an appeal anyway because we know that there are several people who have been injured and that will probably have lost everything, their homes and everything they own so we know that there is a need. In the case of the Belize Red Cross, we are doing this in communication with the National Society in Guatemala. The Guatemalan Red Cross and our International Federation. Our International Federation has sent out alerts to our regional intervention teams who are teams trained for response in times of disaster within the region and of course whoever applies they will assess and if they fit the criteria needed for the particular disaster they will be selected."

"We have been getting calls and people have been texting, stopping me on the street, asking so I know that there are some people who are willing and want to help and we are open to accepting donations except that it is monetary donations that we will accept."

NEMO sent out a statement today saying also that a cash donation is the best form of relief. The statements adds, quote, "NEMO appreciates all assistance given to Belize in past by the people and government of Guatemala and hopes that this reciprocal humanitarian offer of disaster aid will be received in the spirit of humanity for those in need."

Those who have donations - like these folks we saw in San Pedro - should contact NEMO's Humanitarian Officer at 822-2054, 668-7550 or 828-4334.

The Guatemalan Embassy's release today says the Embassy greatly appreciates the human spirit and willingness shown by different sectors of the civil society in Belize.

And while that's what's happening at the official level, at the informal, community level, relief efforts are being organized quickly. An ad-hocGuatemala Volcano Relief committee has set up collection centers for donations to be received between today and midday Friday.

They are sending supplies directly to Escuintla by Monday or Tuesday. The Escuintla Department is the one where the volcano erupted.

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