Rock still lines the highways; water still fills houses when it rains; the fear lingers on and stories remain difficult to recount; worry hovers above town when clouds and rains descend on San Lucas.  Although the danger has not yet passed, efforts have been made to rebuild the parts of the community affected by the storm. Families, groups and commissions have had time to take a step back, to assess the damage and begin the first steps of recovery.

The Damage

The toll is staggering: 1,212 refugees fled to 11 shelters in the community after the storm, 6 of which still remain; 48 homes were completely destroyed, with a total of at least 125 who will need to be relocated; 703 small farmers with losses of farmland; over 830 acres of crops (coffee, corn, beans, tomatoes, onions) destroyed with estimated income losses of over $165 million. Initially after the storm, nine (9) communities lost potable water and two bridges were lost in mudslides. One hundred and sixteen (116) families still remain in community shelters, sleeping in large auditoriums or school buildings with their only private space consisting of blankets draped over chairs where an entire family sleeps. Often, families will move their belongings to one side in the morning, allowing space for classes, and spend the afternoons in shelters.

People make requests for everything from a meal to clothes or school supplies.  However, people continually stress that their most pressing need is land to which they can safely relocate their families. “We just need a piece of land to put a home, and from there we’ll lay block by block as we can to construct our house,” one father pleas. “The most important thing is a plot of land,” proclaims a community leader and organizer. Although many families are still in shelters, others have moved to squat on a family member’s plot of land or stay in an adjacent room of a brother, sister, aunt, or parent. It is difficult to grasp the scope of the disaster by visiting just one shelter.

The Role of the Parish

Over the last three months, the Parish has donned many hats. Initially, the Parish responded with the distribution of basic supplies: children’s clothes, school necessities, shoes, food. Since then, the Mission has worked to repair water systems to two rural communities and has been collaborating with the government to provide the land required for the construction of temporary housing. As always, the Parish is providing work to hundreds of community members to support those affected by the storm in their everyday needs. The Parish’s existing reforestation project has increased its efforts to plant trees and distribute seedlings to farmers, families, and organizations in the area. Currently, Parish workers are converting the Casa Spencer (formerly used for volunteers) and Casa Feliz (previously an orphanage during the years of the conflict) into shelters for up to 25 families. This work includes the installation and upgrade of plumbing systems, and the improvement of electricity access in the buildings.

Perhaps most importantly, the Parish has facilitated the coordination of many organizations: NGOs, government members, community organizers, and more. The Parish is currently a part of the municipal-wide committee for the reconstruction of San Lucas. As such, people who might be skeptical of government programs, volunteers, or other organizations, now have trust in the committee due to the Parish’s reliable and consistent presence and influence. Surveys and interviews conducted by Parish employees have been combined with the committee’s research to deliver reliable and accurate information to the national government.

Thus far, the Parish has coordinated services offered by the municipality (shelters, temporary housing), the International Organization for Migration (known as OIM, providing clothes, kitchen kits, cleaning supplies), the United Nation’s World Food Progaram (known as PM, providing rations, home supplies), the Office of US Disaster Assistance (known as OFDA through USAID, providing the materials for temporary shelters, cleaning kits, and mental healthcare), and finally Catholic Relief Services (CRS, providing coordination services and funds). All international organizations benefit from a strong local leadership and community presence, which the Parish offers. As an integrated, trusted, and reliable organization, the Parish has moved to the forefront of these efforts with knowledgeable and connected people on the ground.

Milestones

There have been some special events over the last three months marking significant steps in recovery. On August 17th, OIM, CRS, and the Parish facilitated the distribution of supplies and trajes (local Mayan weavings and clothes) to over 100 families. US-made t-shirts and pants for women would have been inappropriate as the overwhelming majority of Mayan families in the community wear traditional clothes. Throughout its 50-year history, the Parish has always strived to act in a culturally sensitive and appropriate manner.

Additionally, on September 1st, the US ambassador to Guatemala, Stephen G. McFarland, visited San Lucas to better understand the storm’s effect on the community. After a meeting with Fr. Greg, Congresswoman Betty McCollum, of Minnesota’s 4th congressional district, was in touch with the ambassador to arrange a visit to San Lucas Tolimán. The gathering of the ambassador, Parish leaders, community organizers, the municipality, and representatives from Catholic Relief Services provided the opportunity for all to take stock of the situation, and to explore possibilities for cooperation and support in the recovery efforts in the San Lucas area.

The Future

However, the rebuilding has only just begun. Although many supplies have been delivered to families, people have received various kinds of assistance, and hope is still alive, the cry from the displaced is almost always uniform: “we just need a piece of land.” One area in which all of the NGOs, service organizations, and government branches will be unlikely to assist in is the purchase of land, a mammoth task. Surveys estimate that over 300 families will need to be relocated because living in their current homes is unsafe. Wealthy landowners in the community, knowing of the need, have increased the prices in an attempt to take advantage of families’ vulnerability and the Parish’s desire to help. While disillusioning, we are doing all we can to support the community in the short-term, and raise the funds necessary for a large land purchase to reach the hundreds of people who are in such great need.

As we continue to look forward, with hope, we pray for the safety of our community and the support of our friends. We are optimistic about the future, and are “in it for the long haul”, knowing recovery will take time and collaboration from so many.