Nicaraguan Communities Devastated by Hurricane Felix
September 11, 2007
On September 3, Hurricane Felix slammed into Nicaragua, punishing the nation's Northern Caribbean Coast with 160 mph winds. Felix, which hit land as a powerful Category 5 hurricane, left a trail of devastation, destroying thousands of homes that offered no protection from the powerful winds rage of its winds.
Despite warnings, thousands of people were unable to evacuate before the storm and had only weak wooden shacks for shelter. Nicaraguan officials have put the death toll at 168.
The worst hit was the Moskito region, an impoverished indigenous community along the northern coast, where officials said ninety percent of the infrastructure was demolished. Debris of houses smashed up by the storm, downed powerlines and uprooted trees littered the ground.
"People are out in the open, they have lost everything, children are exposed to the rain,'' said Nancy Enriquez, the mayor of the neighboring coastal community of Bilwi.
Because much of that eastern region is separated from the rest of Nicaragua by dense jungle, rescue teams have been slow to provide relief and are now bringing aid by plane.
Many local organizations have also begun immediate disaster relief efforts, distributing food parcels, clean water, medicines, soap, cooking kits, blankets and shelter materials to the victims of the region.
There is still however, a shortage of food, and thousands remain homeless due to the ravaging effects of the hurricane.
Disarm will be monitoring the situation in Nicaragua and is organizing an emergency site visit to better assess short and long-term needs. We will have additional information for you in the weeks to come.
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