Stand With The Victims of Hurricane Eta

  • Location
    Miami, Florida
  • Status
    Complete
  • Age Level
    Any Age
  • Group Type
    Foundation/Non-Profit

The Problem

Honduras, Nicaragua, and Guatemala are reeling from the devastation caused by Hurricane Eta, which ravaged their countries on November 3rd, leaving hundreds of thousands of people homeless. As the winds receded, grim reports emerged: over 200 people are believed dead, catastrophic flooding is affecting water and sanitation, and deadly mudslides have buried what little remained. The number of people suffering is overwhelming. Some remain trapped on their rooftops, while others have resorted to drinking salt water, waiting for help. The region is facing a triple threat of extreme weather, mass migration caused by economic instability and violence, and Covid-19. Scientists have declared Honduras, one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere, as the country most affected by climate change. Though they are responsible for less than .1 of the carbon emissions today, the climate crisis has accelerated food scarcity, plagued water sanitation issues, and forced migration from a land where more than 60% of the community live below poverty. Their vulnerability is due to climate-related hazards that devastate crops and infrastructure, where more than 40% of the population work in agriculture. In Central America's Dry Corridor, an area that stretches from Costa Rica to the Mexican border, for the last five straight years, farmers have watched helplessly as drought has killed over half their crops, leaving more than 3.5 million people without food. Now, in a cruel turn of events, with the onslaught of the hurricane, their withered fields are covered by mudslides from the torrential rains.

Our Plan

Sadly, for our Latin American neighbors, the end is nowhere in sight. As Tropical Storm Iota continues its’ approach toward the region, it’s still raining today in Honduras. We've all just got to do something. Stand with the victims of Hurricane Eta. Let's show all the way up.

Themes Addressed

  • term icon
    Clean Water
  • term icon
    Displaced People
  • term icon
    Homelessness
  • term icon
    Hunger

The Benefit

  • term icon
    People

Here is how the project went:

The hurricane relief effort for Latin America received overwhelming support from my local community. More than 50 families donated food and needed items, which were then transported to the 2020 hurricane victums.

Through this project I/we learned:

The people of Central America are resilient; the people in South Florida, themselves often victims of hurricanes, were able to "walk in the shoes of those from Latin America," and gave more than was asked of them.

What I/we might change:

The items most needed by hurricane victims require thoughtful consideration. For example, pop-top cans on vegetables and nonperishable food that does not require cooking, as well as individual portions of everything from toothpaste to baby wipes are best.

My/our favorite part of this project was:

Learning about the droughts and storms that affect Latin America, and the resilience of their people despite the ravages of climate change, was inspiring.

Some tips, tricks or fun facts about the project:

Get your local food bank or your local fire station involved; both were wonders of help and hope on this project.

Stand With The Victims of Hurricane Eta 2
Stand With The Victims of Hurricane Eta 1
Stand With The Victims of Hurricane Eta
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