In the face of immense need, the Parish is proceeding with caution on how to respond. A response team comprised of community leaders, in cooperation with the municipality and other aid organizations, with always the utmost respect for the dignity of the human person, is coming up with a response plan to the disasters following Tropical Storm Agatha.
As the Parish has experience dealing with other natural disasters (the mudslides of El Porvenir, 2002, and San Andres, during Hurricane Stan in 2005), we are
well-versed in appropriate responses and recovery efforts. However, as with all disasters, we are caught off-guard and must proceed with caution as we contemplate immediate relief and long-term healing of the community.
Below you will find various relief strategies - subject to change of course - which respond to the expressed-felt needs of community members.
The hope is that with these efforts, we can help the community stand tall.
Immediate Response:
Restore Water Systems - Many of the the rural communities outside of San Lucas lost water systems (8 days after the disaster, 6 communities still had no access to water, and many others had only intermittant access). As of June 14, we began working to restore water systems in the communities of Pampojila and San Martin. We will aid other communities as funds permit
Direct Material Aid - At least 50 families lost all of their belongings and their homes. Immediately after the disaster, the Parish began distributing children's clothes, shoes, toilet paper, soap, and food to these and other families. There are also plans to distribute machetes, hoes, axes, and kitchen kits to families who are ready to restart their lives.
Medicine - Children are more prone to illness with increased amounts of mud in homes, streets, and buildings. Without water, stomach illnesses increase. After days of shoveling mud out of homes, aches emerge that weren't there before. Through our health promoter program, we will be distributing needed medicines to all communities.
Assist shelter communities - The local government has plans to form a temporary shelter community for families who lost their homes or cannot return to their homes. While the government will be providing the basics, we foresee that many needs will not be met. The Parish will complement the government's efforts and "fill in the gaps" as necessary.
Long-Term Responses
Land - It is estimated that over 125 families are in dire need of land for housing. As funds allow, the Parish hopes to purchase small plots of land out of danger-prone areas. This is a long-term effort that will require a significant amount of funds.
Reforestation - As has been a focus of the Parish's work for almost 30 years, we will continue to reforest the hillsides to prevent against erosion. Tree roots help to hold the soil in place and prevent the hillslide from slipping away as it did during Agatha's torrential rains.
Agricultural Support - Many small farmers, dependent on their crop for their yearly food or income, saw their crops buried under mud. We will be providing small coffee trees and through our farm, looking into the best practices for re-planting fields.
