O'Donnell, announces £200,000 aid for the victims of Hurricane Mitch.
‘The situation Central America is calamitous. Thousands of people have been killed and countless injured and made homeless. The storm, which continues to wreak havoc has led to prolonged rains and winds of up to 300 KPH which have affected around 4 million people in Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala and El Salvador. There is an urgent need for emergency humanitarian assistance, including shelter, food aid and medical assistance. The grant announced today will go towards meeting these needs and assist the agencies on the ground."
The Governments in Honduras and Nicaragua have declared a national emergency and the National Red Cross Societies have mobilised volunteers. The International Federation of the Red Cross have issued a preliminary appeal for international assistance while the UN has activated its Disaster assessment and Coordination Team.
The grant announced today will be disbursed via the Irish NGO Trocaire (£50,000) and APSO (£30,000) both of which are active in the areas affected. The balance of £120,000 will be allocated to the International Federation of the Red Cross in response to its general appeal on behalf of all countries affected within the region (including Guatemala and El Salvador).
"I am keeping in close contact with the situation in the region and will continue to work closely with the relevant international agencies which are responding to the crisis", said Minister O'Donnell.
