This year has been challenging for all of us. A pandemic has changed the world. On November 5, 2020, Hurricane Eta slammed Central America and specifically, Honduras, causing landslides and flooding that affected more than 2 million people according to the International Red Cross. As if this wasn't enough, on November 15, Hurricane Iota entered to devastate the country even more.
At least 15 of the 18 departments (states) of Honduras present geological conditions that have caused landslides. The Sula Valley —60% of the Gross Domestic Product of the country is produced in the valley— remains underwater. The statistical recount from Hurricane Iota keeps increasing. According to the Permanent Contingency Commission (COPECO- acronym from Spanish Comisión Permanente de Contingencia), 75,144 people are in 846 open shelters across the most affected areas. However, accessing basic commodities, such as food, clean drinking water, basic medicines, and masks for COVID-19, has proven difficult.
As roads and even 71 highways and 7 major bridges remain flooded and, or destroyed, supply chains to shelters and isolated communities are heavily compromised. This unprecedented double blow comes on top of the COVID-19 pandemic, which had already depleted government resources and left many people unemployed. No donation is too small and will have a tremendous impact on the lives of those hurting the most.
Due to this enormous disaster relief need, the Rotary Foundation of Washington, D.C., awarded a $1,000 grant to the Rotary Club of Merendon located in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, to assist the victims of the recent hurricanes Eta and Iota, through Honduras Compassion Partners, an eligible 501(c)(3) in southern Maryland listed with a 100% score on Charity Navigator.
With our donation, the Rotary Club of Merendon will support families who lost their entire homes in San Pedro Sula. The club will oversee providing all essential needs including food bags, clothes, bed, linens, and so forth. Honduras Compassion Partners is working with other local Rotary Clubs in the San Pedro Sula area such as the Rotary Club of La Paz.
On November 18, Marilyn Nevy Cruz had a conference call with the President of the Rotary Club of Merendon in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, and the Rotarian liaison in Honduras on behalf of Honduras Compassion Partners. They have committed to spend the entire $1,000 or any amount donated by our foundation to disaster relief in their region. They will not use any funds for any type of administrative fee, and they will provide us with a detailed report on how the funds were spent.