Plan to repair homes in Guatemala
Families taking refuge in a makeshift shelter in Alta Verapaz
August 22, 2007
Plan is to repair 100 homes, school classrooms and local health posts that have been damaged by flooding in Guatemala's Alta Verapaz province.
Heavy rain from 12 August caused the Cahabón river to burst its banks — cutting off surrounding communities from the main city of Carchá, closing schools, submerging homes and destroying crops.
More than 2,400 people fled their homes and took refuge in temporary shelters. Both urban and rural communities have been affected — including more than 100 where Plan works.
Families return home
The situation in Alta Verapaz — which is 137 miles north-east of the capital, Guatemala City — has now improved as the rains have stopped and families have returned to their homes.
One shelter however remains open; set up by 70 families from worst-hit Vista Hermosa Xalijá. Geology experts must now determine if this area is safe enough to rebuild homes, or if the families need to be relocated.
Plan action
Plan is working with the Carchá municipality, CONRED (National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction), the Ministries of Health and Education and other organizations to assist the affected population.
Plan staff are visiting flood-affected communities to make sure needs are met, and that women and children are in a safe and secure environment.
Alta and Baja Verapaz provinces remain on ‘orange alert’ until rains which may be associated with Hurricane Dean have passed over.
Sponsor a child today to support Plan's long-term work to improve the lives of children in developing countries.
Read more about Plan's work in Guatemala.
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Heavy rain from 12 August caused the Cahabón river to burst its banks — cutting off surrounding communities from the main city of Carchá, closing schools, submerging homes and destroying crops.
More than 2,400 people fled their homes and took refuge in temporary shelters. Both urban and rural communities have been affected — including more than 100 where Plan works.
Families return home
The situation in Alta Verapaz — which is 137 miles north-east of the capital, Guatemala City — has now improved as the rains have stopped and families have returned to their homes.
One shelter however remains open; set up by 70 families from worst-hit Vista Hermosa Xalijá. Geology experts must now determine if this area is safe enough to rebuild homes, or if the families need to be relocated.
Plan action
Plan is working with the Carchá municipality, CONRED (National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction), the Ministries of Health and Education and other organizations to assist the affected population.
Plan staff are visiting flood-affected communities to make sure needs are met, and that women and children are in a safe and secure environment.
Alta and Baja Verapaz provinces remain on ‘orange alert’ until rains which may be associated with Hurricane Dean have passed over.
Sponsor a child today to support Plan's long-term work to improve the lives of children in developing countries.
Read more about Plan's work in Guatemala.
Back to top
