The torrential rain and flooding that hit Central America last month has had a devastating effect on the Indigenous and rural populations of Guatemala, Nicaragua and El Salvador.

(c) Bruno Girin/Flickr

The United Nations estimates that 1.2 million people have been affected by the flooding overall. Some 300,000 people have fled El Salvador as a result, and 143,000 are affected in Nicaragua alone. Thousands have been displaced from their homes, and many schools, roads and health facilities have been forced to close throughout the region.

Facing this emergency situation in their communities, MADRE’s partner organizations in Guatemala and Nicaragua are fighting hard to overcome the devastation.

In Guatemala, our sisters at Muixil are mobilizing to help the Indigenous farming communities in remote rural regions. Floods have washed away many of the crops—mainly corn and beans—that these communities depend upon for income and food. As an alternative, MADRE is helping Muixil purchase chickens to provide money, eggs and meat for their families to survive the coming months.

The Women Workers Committee, another MADRE partner in Guatemala, is also working to provide emergency assistance for flood victims outside of Guatemala City. The flooding destroyed many people’s homes and belongings, leaving them with nothing. Our partners are collecting supplies to cover the emergency needs of their communities. These include food, clothing, shoes, hygiene products, construction materials and household items.

On the North Atlantic coast of Nicaragua, where MADRE’s sisters at Wangki Tangni live, torrential rains also swept away vital crops. What’s more, flooding has contaminated local water supplies. This puts people at risk of waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid and dysentery. Simple water filters can help safeguard the health of an entire community and provide safe access to drinking water.

Help our sisters safeguard their families and rebuild their communities. Click here to donate.