Guatemala Volcano Relief - World Bank Group

A catastrophic eruption of Guatemala’s Fuego volcano on June 3 has affected more than 1.7 million people in three central departments, or states. Over 12,000 people were evacuated, 75 killed, and over 190 are still missing. The numbers continue to rise as a result of the country’s most severe volcanic eruption in 45 years.

This eruption sent molten rock and ash up to 33,000 feet into the sky, destroying homes, schools, health centres, crops and livestock in three departments.  The region surrounding the volcano is also experiencing poor air quality, with high risks of contamination of fresh water sources.

“We are shocked and saddened by the sudden volcanic activity,” says Luiz Corzo, Humanitarian and Emergency Assistance Coordinator for World Vision in Guatemala. Luiz says most of the people who fled to shelters are children and entire villages were surprised by clouds of ash and deadly lava flows.

Fuego is about 27 miles southwest of Guatemala City, the capital. It is an extremely active volcano and had already erupted once in February 2018. Guatemala’s Fuego is located on the seismically-active Pacific Ring of Fire, as is the Kilauea volcano in Hawaii.

World Vision’s response to the volcano eruption in Guatemala

World Vision has worked in Guatemala since 1975, and in 1976 we provided aid after a major earthquake. In 2017, World Vision’s community development programs powered by child sponsorship helped improve the lives of more than 290,000 children in Guatemala.

World Vision is responding to the volcanic eruption in its San Pedro Yepocapa program area, where an estimated 3,350 persons are affected. Staff report that all World Vision sponsored children in Guatemala are safe. World Vision staff are working with the government to carry out the national emergency response plan.

World Vision’s initial response includes:

• Coordinating delivery of humanitarian aid — water, hygiene, clothing, medicine, and psychosocial help to evacuees

• Establishing Child-Friendly Spaces where children can be safe and play with friends

• Assessing damage and needs in communities where World Vision works

• Coordinating its response with local and national disaster management authorities and other aid organizations

Over the next 48 hours, World Vision will be distributing 30,000 boxes of medical supplies to shelters in Escuintla, Alotenango, and Yepocapa, including nebulizers for treating respiratory injuries from ash and gases. We will also start distributing more than 1,000 hygiene kits.

EVERY MINUTE COUNTS. TO RESPOND TO THIS CRISIS, YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THE WORLD BANK GROUP DISASTER RELIEF DRIVE.