On October 8th, 2005 hurricane Stan pelted Southern Mexico and Central America. Guatemala bore the brunt of the storm. After several days of flooding, the side of the mountain collapsed with a huge roar that sent a wave of mud 2 miles wide and, in some places, 14 meters deep crashing down the valley. 237 villages were affected and some 1400 people died, 30,000 others had to abandon their homes. The villages around Lake Atitlan were some of the worst hit areas by the devastation. Unfortunately, it was the poorest communities that were most affected by the mudslide, due to the fact, that poor coffee farmers typically cut their little farms out of the side of steep mountains.

Mudslide Photographs

Click on a photo to see a larger view.

 

 

Today, many of the survivors have no home. US Aid has built them temporary shelters out of tarps that are small and over crowded. For now, the survivors must wait in hopes that some day they may begin to rebuild their lives.

Volunteers Around the World is working with other organizations to promote economic opportunities for these individuals. We also teach hygiene and health to these communities that are currently at great risk for disease, and we look forward to when the Guatemalan government will provide the new land promised to these destitute families so that we may assist in rebuilding their homes.