The Human Rights Center “Fray Matias de Cordova” A.C. (civil association) issues an urgent call for solidarity and assistance for victims of Hurricane Stan.
Tapachula, Chiapas, Mexico.
October 7, 2005
To humanitarian organizations, human rights organizations and the national and international community:
The Human Rights Center “Fray Matias de Cordova” A.C. (civil association) issues an urgent call to humanitarian institutions, human rights organizations and to the international community for solidarity and assistance for our brothers and sisters that suffered from Hurricane Stan that struck the coastal and border zone of southern Chiapas.
On Tuesday, the 3rd of October, a general alert was issued in Tapachula by the civil and military authorities, which called for the evacuation of the population in the low lying areas of the municipality. The alert was called due to the increase in the level of rain that for more than a week had already severely effected the coastal population of the state.
This same day the Coatan River overflowed with incredible speed, flooding the main hospital (IMSS) and destroying houses, vehicles, farms, drowning livestock, and causing damage to households. Many people were not able to escape in time. The persistence of the rains in the coastal zone and the higher tides in the port effected many people. The rescue and emergency agencies do not have enough staff or supplies to bring support. The intervention of firemen, state and regional police, emergency medical teams and Mexican army has been insufficient to supply the necessary aid.
According to reports in local media, the authorities have prioritized help in the low lying zone that is suffering much damage. However, the areas of medium and high altitude also have been effected by landslides, they are cut off from communication and help is not arriving.
Due to the collapse of bridges that connected Tapachula with the rest of Mexico and Central America, the city is cut off from land routes. Local telephone lines function irreguralary and national or international calls are nearly impossible. The same is occuring with cell phones and internet which are frequently out of service.
Information about the number of people effected by the disaster is not clear. Reports from media sources say that already close to 40 neighborhoods of Tapachula are damaged from the flooding of the rivers and the number effected is close to 50,000 people. The shelters report that there are between 15 and 25,000 people without homes, and that the shelters are full.
The rains have impeeded a precise count and the number of people effected, dead, or missing and houses destroyed, continues growing.
The city of Tapachula has begun to run out of provisions, stove gas and gasoline and water. The potable water system was damaged and service suspended. Supermarkets have begun rationing their sales and some business have raised prices as much as 100% and will only accept cash. Some banks have closed because “the system is down” and there are no alternatives for people to get cash. The general population is beginning to panic as food shortages and lack of resources worsen.
In this context of alarm there have been reports of looting of houses and stores, assaults in taxis and irregularities in the distribution of provisions.
15 shelters have been created by the government and civil society to attend to the people who have lost houses. The needs are great and resources insufficient. Some of the most important needs are food, potable water, toilet paper, diapers, clothes, sheets, sleeping pads, blankets, rice, beans, oil and other basic products.
For everyone who wish to send humanitarian aid to the effected zone may send direct economic donations to the bank account number 7869132 of the bank BANAMEX in the name of the Diocecis de Tapachula AR (Tapachula Diocis, religious association), or getting in contact with Father Arturo Martinez at 01-52-962-626-6899.
We request donations of provisions however, as the area is in short supply of products. For this, you can coordinate with the Caritas Office in Mexico City. Please distribute this information to your contacts nationally and internationally.
Many thanks for the solidarity and support
Sincereley,
Human Rights Center Fray Matias de Cordova
For more information about Caritas, Fray Matias Human Rights Center or to make a donation from the United States you may contact info@chiapaspeacehouse.org.
