Nicaragua: Hurricane Mitch Updates
by Tom Fletcher

November 17, 1998

Dear Friends,

I again want to reiterate how much we appreciate all of the assistance and aid that has been pouring into Nicaragua and Honduras in the wake of Hurricane Mitch. For all of you who have contributed time, goods, money, equipment, and expertise, you should know that I and my associates firmly believe you have been instrumental in saving thousands of lives. It will be remembered.

This message is the third in our series of periodic updates. Again, the information contained herein has been verified by eyewitnesses or by myself and my associates. It is not a regurgitation of media or government reports, nor is it intended to be comprehensive. This message should be used to fill in gaps or to provide counterbalance to media or other reporting. Where the info is sketchy or speculative, I have so noted. Please pass this message on to the appropriate networks or contacts. Apologies for cross-postings.

- Basic line of communication (LOC) infrastructure rebuilding continues. Roads are now re-opened to supply convoys to regional distribution centers in the northernmost departments. Food, medicine, and other supplies are now reaching the major population centers in quantity. A number of the most remote areas still require helo transport of supplies, and air remains the fastest way of getting emergency relief aid north. The Panamerican Highway is apparently open for light vehicles to the Honduran Border. It is unclear at this time whether it is passable for large vehicles (such as semi-trailers).

- Although there are a huge number of relief agencies working here now that deserve mention, space precludes listing them. I do want to note two organizations that are working in the Bosawas and upper Rio Coco areas of Jinotega Department. Alistar International was able to push a truck convoy all the way to Ayapal on the Rio Bocay. This is an amazing feat. Ayapal can now be used as a regional supply depot, using boats to reach the stricken communities along the Bocay and upper Rio Coco (mostly indigenous communities). The German organization GTZ (Gesellschaft fur Technische Zusammenarbeit GmbH) has followed Alistar's lead and is also running supply convoys into Ayapal. With this route opened, the last truely cut off area in Nicaragua can start to receive regular relief convoys. Alistar has urgently requested food, medicine, and money (to purchase supplies locally).

- We have received a preliminary assessment of agricultural losses. At this time, it appears that in the stricken areas 95% of vegetable, 35% of coffee, and 25% of basic grains were lost. I have not yet received information about sugar or banana losses.

- Health: Preliminary reports are starting to be received concerning cholera and other diseases from the north. At least 92 cases of cholera have been reported from Matagalpa and Esteli. The Ministry of Health has begun large-scale vaccination, but believes total cases may rise to 1,600 before the situation is under control. Large numbers of dengue and malaria cases have been reported, but it is unclear whether these are a result of Mitch or merely better reporting (dengue had reached epidemic proportions nationally well before the hurricane). Health infrastructure damage is 3 hospitals, 8 regional health clinics, and 16 health posts destroyed. Medicines and water treatment and purification remains a critical need. The Ministry of Health has established a hotline at +505 - 289-4802/4312 for health questions (in Spanish).

- Clarification: International media have been reporting 800,000 homeless in Nicaragua. This is a mis-translation. There are approximately 800,000 (or 20% of the population) that have been affected by Mitch either directly or indirectly. This includes the populations of the urban areas in the north that may still have homes, but are in need of food, medicine, etc. The relief efforts are aimed at these people. However, not all are homeless by any stretch. The situation is bad enough without misrepresentation.

Although not a list of everyone who is helping Nicaragua and Honduras during this crisis, I want to pass my thanks to those who have taken the time to let me know about their efforts: Roger Kron of the Health on Earth Foundation (food supplies, medical supplies, medical response team), the people of Houston, Texas, (food supplies, other emergency relief), Food for Peace and the World Food Organization (thousands of tons of foodstuffs), Delfi Roca and friends in Andorra, USAID (not only coordinating, but donating millions and buying locally medicines, food, and other aid), Jan Moss and World Without Walls, Ron Mader (who has made info available to a wider audience), the Central America Hurricane Disaster Relief Coalition at the University of Wisconsin, and many others. Thanks to you all.

With warmest regards,

Tom Fletcher
President
Ecotourism International of Nicaragua, S.A.
einsa@ibw.com.ni
http://www.eco-nica.com

Dear Friends,

First, I want to thank all of you who have contributed to the relief efforts in Nicaragua and Honduras, both individually and organizationally.

This message is the second in a series of consolidated updates on the disaster and relief efforts in Nicaragua. The information contained herein has been verified by eyewitnesses or by myself and my associates. It is not a regurgitation of media or government reports, nor is it intended to be comprehensive. This message should be used to fill in gaps or to provide counterbalance to media or other reporting. Where the info is sketchy or speculative, I have so noted. Please pass this message on to the appropriate networks or contacts. Apologies for cross-postings.

There is both good news and bad news.

Bad News

- FONIF, the organization responsible for orphans in Nicaragua, has reported 752 new orphans in Chinandega Department alone. This number has significantly overwhelmed the capacity of the government and NGO's to take care of them. The government has relaxed adoption requirements in an effort to assist in placing these children in new homes.

- Initial reports that most of the inhabitants of the houses (some 900) destroyed in Wiwili (Nueva Segovia Department) had escaped to the mountains appear to be inaccurate. An unknown (but significant) number of cadavers have been discovered downstream, and no evidence that there are numbers of people living on the mountain has been uncovered. It is now believed that most of those missing from Wiwili are dead (exact numbers unknown).

- The indigenous communities in the buffer zone of the Bosawas Biosphere Reserve, primarily Miskito and Rama Indians, have been hard hit. 12,300 are homeless, with some 30 communities destroyed (Alistar International reporting; considered reliable).

- Twenty women in Matagalpa who had escaped the ravages of Hurricane Mitch who were washing clothing along the river on Thursday were killed when the bank collapsed, sweeping them into the still-raging torrent. (USAID reporting).

Good News

- Relief efforts have been nothing short of miraculous. There is a relief flight landing at Managua's international airport every six minutes. I have also been extremely impressed with the way the Nicaraguan people have pulled together during the crisis. There have been very few instances of price gouging, looting, or other attempts to take advantage. The GON has been extremely careful that every grain of rice donated is both accounted for and gets distributed fairly. The tracking paperwork showing the exact amounts arriving in-country and where they go is faxed daily to international donor orgs operating here. The GON has placed teams composed of customs, civil defense, and donor representatives at the airport to facilitate checking and prioritizing arriving cargos - it's fast, efficient, and honest.

- Primary lines of communication (LOC) repairs continue as rapidly as possible. The main highways to Leon and Chinandega Departments are now open using ex-Soviet TMD assault bridges and military pontoon bridges. Although the new river channel outside Sebaco in Matagalpa Department has not yet been bridged (because of the current), ingenuity has succeeded where technology fails: supplies are trucked to the river, ferried across on small boats, then replaced on trucks waiting on the far bank. Not very fast nor very efficient - but critical supplies are getting through to the hard-hit north. Meanwhile, helicopter airlift continues to be the primary means of relief for the northermost sections of the country. US Southern Command has released all of its available helicopter assets to Honduras and Nicaragua for this effort.

- Confirmed reports from the downstream end of the Rio Coco on the Atlantic Coast indicate that the river crested at 30 feet (10 meters) above flood stage Thursday as runoff from the western part of the country arrived. However, contacts in Waspam, Puerto Cabezas and in the delta state that there has been no flooding (the Nica side is high bluffs overlooking the river). However, it is speculated that the Honduran side is underwater because of low banks and low-lying terrain. The area is relatively uninhabited, so accurate data is unavailable on Honduras. (eyewitness report).

- The US government (OFDA) has authorized an extension of the Denton Operations for Honduras and Nicaragua. Under this system, donors will be given free air transport for relief supplies. All that is required is that the supplies be delivered to the nearest Air Force or Air National Guard base. For an application, contact Heidi Meyer, Denton Ops Coordinator, at (910) 394-7907. PLEASE NOTE: This is ONLY for supplies in quantities greater than 1 ton (1000 kg). Supplies must be packed for transport.

- The southern and eastern 75% of the country was completely untouched by Mitch. Infrastructure, LOC, agriculture remains intact (Note, however,that approx. 20% of the population of Nicaragua lives in the areas hardest hit). Tourism infrastructure from Masachapa south to San Juan del Sur on the Pacific and Corn Island in the Caribbean is intact. Some localized flooding in Rama on the Rio Escondido has been reported, primarily due to downstream runoff. No damage or casualties have been reported. (eyewitness, direct contact).

What is needed>

USAID and several NGO/PVO organizations have requested that the following additional supplies/types are needed:

- basic tools: hand saws (please no chainsaws), hammers, axes, machetes, nails, etc. - portable water pumps for pumping out contaminated wells (hand or electric) - portable electrical generators (new or used, any size) - reusable plastic or aluminum plates, dishes, eating utensils - cooking implements (pots, pans, etc) useable on open fires - cooking oil - water purification equipment, including iodine tablets, chlorine tablets, etc. or portable purification systems - sheets, pillowcases, towels, mattresses

It has been suggested that clothing be given a lower priority in the relief supplies - with our thanks to all those who have donated these items. Evidently, there is now sufficient clothing either in-country or in the relief pipeline (from USAID/Nicaragua relief coordinator).

For those who wish to donate the above type of item: we recommend using CARE, the International Red Cross (you can designate a recipient), or Save the Children. Alternatively, if you have capability to donate in large quantities, cut out the middle-person and use the Denton Ops, consigning the shipment to a local organization (contact me for details on local NGO/PVOs accepting shipments).

Other News

IBW Communications, the largest local Internet provider, has established a message board and chat room at http://www.ibw.com.ni/mitch PLEASE NOTE: Ecotourism International is NOT responsible for nor can we verify information on this board.

For those wishing to donate directly to the indigenous communities of the Bosawas, please contact:

ALISTAR INTERNATIONAL
600-108th Avenue NE, Suite 1014
Bellevue WA 98004
ph 425-451-1080
fax 425-451-9681
email: fundacion1@alistar.com

IN NICARAGUA:
Fundacion Alistar 277-0237, 278-7053
email: alistar@ibw.com.ni

Again, thanks to all of you for your aid and assistance, as well as your best wishes and emails.

Warmest regards,

Tom Fletcher
President
Ecotourism International of Nicaragua, S.A.
einsa@ibw.com.ni
http://www.eco-nica.com

Dear Friends,

I just wanted to bring you up to date on the disaster caused by Hurricane Mitch in Nicaragua. I would also like to thank all of those who have supported Nicaragua during this terrible time.

Mitch has caused the most damage and greatest loss of life since the 1972 earthquake that flattened Managua. The official death toll has been placed at 850, with at least 1800 missing and thousands injured. This toll will very likely rise as reports arrive from outlying communities that remain cut off, especially in the north along the Rio Coco. The hardest hit areas are the northern provinces along the Honduran border. Some examples:

- The Municipality of Posoltega on the slopes of San Cristóbal Volcano in the northwest province of Chinandega, composed of four small villages with some 2000-2500 inhabitants, has simply ceased to exist - buried by mudslides. There are only around 200 known survivors.

- The provincial capital of Esteli has suffered severe damage due to flooding, including the loss of hundreds of structures and the regional hospital.

- The country has been cut literally in two by the loss of dozens of bridges and localized flooding. The Sebaco River has cut the Panamerican Highway, not through loss of the highway bridge, but by cutting a new, 300 meter wide channel. Severe flooding around Lake Managua has cut the capital off from Leon and Boaco Provinces.

There is some less-bad news. There are no shortages of food OVERALL in Nicaragua. The first harvest was a bumper crop for basic grains. Although it appears the current rice and bean crops have been severely affected, there remains a sufficient surplus to feed the country until a new crop can be planted. Rice will need to be imported. HOWEVER, there are severe food shortages in many of the towns and municipalities in the north because of a complete breakdown in the distribution system. Because terrestrial lines of communication have been cut, many areas have not received food for 3-4 days. The US government has provided 6 helicopters (one UH-64 and five CH-47) to augment the five aging Russian MI-6, MI-8 and MI-25 helos in the inventory. All of these aircraft have done heroic service bringing in food and medicine, and evacuating outlying areas.

A serious problem remains. The lack of potable water in many areas hardest hit has the potential to cause dangerous health risks. The government is working as rapidly as possible to restore main roads and bridges to allow truckloads of bottled water to be distributed.

I will try and keep you posted on the relief efforts. Again, I want to thank all of you who have contributed or written.

Warmest regards,

Tom Fletcher
President
Ecotourism International of Nicaragua, S.A.

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