In 2007, natural disasters, including floods, landslides, earthquakes and hurricanes, caused a great deal of destruction in more than nine countries in Latin American and the Caribbean, severely impacting millions of the region’s most vulnerable populations. Affected families now face the triple task of rebuilding their homes, their lives, and their businesses.

The Resource Foundation’s network of local partners is implementing programs to meet critical needs in affected communities. Donate Now or click on the links below to learn more.

• Mexico

• Dominican Republic

• Nicaragua

• Peru

On Friday November 2nd, torrential rains caused the worst floods on record in Mexico's southern Tabasco state. More than 80% of Tabasco is flooded, and over one million people (50% of the population) have been affected or displaced from their homes. Hundreds of thousands of people are without food, water and medicine, and there are now growing fears of dengue fever, cholera and malaria epidemics. Thousands of houses have been destroyed and the economic damages are estimated to be over 700 million dollars. The Governor of Tabasco, Mr. Andrés Granier, has declared a State of Emergency and help is desperately needed.

Tropical Storm Noel, the 14th of the 2007 Atlantic hurricane season, soaked the Dominican Republic in late October, displacing thousands of people, and claiming at least 56 lives due to flooding and mudslides caused by heavy rains. Almost 50,000 people were left homeless after the water swept away their homes; while collapsed bridges and swollen rivers isolated at least 36 towns. President Leonel Fernández declared a State of Emergency the following day.

Hurricane Felix, a category 5 hurricane, struck the North Atlantic Coast of Nicaragua on September 4th, causing a tremendous amount of destruction in Bilwi (Puerto Cabezas), and many municipalities along the Coco River, including Wasmap and Siuana, Bonanza and Rosita. These areas reported deaths, injuries, missing persons, and severe damages to both agriculture and farm animals. The majority of homes in the area were completely destroyed, and of the 102 schools in the region, 49 are in need of significant repairs, and 53 were completely destroyed. The President of Nicaragua declared a State of Emergency in the North Atlantic Region of Nicaragua on the same day.

On August 15th, an earthquake registering 7.9 on the Richter Scale struck off the Pacific coast of Peru, devastating the municipalities of Cañete, Chincha, Huancavelica, Ica and Pisco. According to Peruvian government officials, there were more than 500 deaths, thousands of injuries and approximately 17,000 homes were destroyed. Pisco and the surrounding areas suffered the worst damage. Approximately 85% of the city was completely destroyed, dozens were killed inside the San Clemente cathedral that collapsed, and over one hundred thousand individuals are without food, water and housing. More than twenty aftershocks have been documented, leaving residents, already suffering from great losses, living in uncertainty.

The Resource Foundation’s Peruvian partner, Grupo ACP (ACP) has identified a total of 9,510 families or approximately 28,530 individuals who lost their homes and livelihoods and now must cover their most basic needs of food, water and clothing. These earthquake victims are now confronting the extent of their losses as they slowly begin to rebuild their lives and businesses. Consequently, ACP is implementing four projects to directly address the physical, emotional, and psychological needs of children and families who were most affected by the earthquake. 

What Your Gift Will Support:

• Food and Clothing for Affected Families

• Therapy and Leadership Training for Children and Families

• “Solidarity Carnival” for Affected Children

• Clean Drinking Water

Food and Clothing for Affected Families: During this emergency, the most critical need is food and clothing. It is currently winter in Peru, and in addition to having lost their homes, families have also lost all of their belongings. In Pisco and Chinca, 1,426 of ACP’s clients and their families lost their homes and livelihoods and are now in need of food, clothing, and shelter.  Through this project, ACP will provide 1,426 clients and their families with those items most necessary for their survival – food and clothing. ACP will actively monitor the distribution process to ensure that families with the greatest need receive emergency supplies.  Donate Now

Therapy and Leadership Training for Children and Families: ACP seeks to address the mid- to long-term emotional needs of the affected population by providing therapy, leadership and empowerment training to 900 individuals, including 300 children and 600 adults in Pisco and the surrounding rural areas. The project will help reduce the incidence of anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorders, and provide earthquake victims with the capabilities to reestablish their lives.  ACP will offer individual and group therapy sessions to children over a three-month period, and will provide therapy and leadership workshops to 600 adults. Donate Now

“Solidarity Carnival” for Affected Children: ACP is organizing a “Solidarity Carnival” for approximately 4,280 affected children in Pisco, Peru, in order to provide them with a recreational space to play and briefly escape from the destruction caused by this disaster. ACP will organize a series of entertaining events for children, including clowns, artists, games and other recreational activities. President Alan Garcia and the Peruvian press are encouraging support for such an event. Donate Now

Clean Drinking Water: Clean drinking water is greatly needed in the aftermath of the earthquake.  In Pisco, water services were destroyed and in many cases, have yet to be restored. ACP will provide water tanks and water bottles to 1,426 families or approximately 7,130 from earthquake victims Chincha and Pisco, Peru. Donate Now

 If you would like to make a contribution, please send your donation for these earthquake relief projects, kindly send a check to The Resource Foundation and reference Earthquake Relief Efforts.