This announcement is written by: Instituto Mesoamericana de Permacultura
San Lucas Tolimán, Departamento de Solola, Guatemala, Centro America.
502 55848111 - Ronaldo Lec 502 57868033 - Rebecca Cutter

Surely by now you are aware of the devastating effects hurricane Stan has caused the Central American region.  The Western and Central Highlands of Guatemala and the Pacific Coast were struck by relentless rains for five days, resulting in major landslides and the bursting of rivers, which swept away homes, roads, bridges and crops, leaving many communities without access to communication, basic supplies or medical attention.  

In the Lake Atitlán region, department of Sololá, all surrounding villages have been affected, specifically the two largest towns, Santiago Atitlán and Panajachel, with an estimated 1,500 deaths and hundreds of people missing.

We respectfully request your immediate financial support in attending to the urgent issues facing the community of Santiago Atitlán. 

IMAP is an non-for-profit organization working with rural communities in the preservation of biodiversity, the establishment of food security and environmental education.   We are located on the southern shore of Lake Atitlan, 10 kilometers from Santiago Atitlán.  Because of current conditions, we have suspended our planned activities in order to concentrate on relief and prevention efforts in coordination with the municipality of Santiago Atitlán and other local and international non-governmental organizations.

Our concern is for the immediate needs of families who are without water, food, sanitation, medical attention and housing.   Currently, an estimated one thousand people are being housed in 10 provisional shelters where the sanitary conditions pose a major health risk to the community.   In light of our human resources and abilities, we have decided to concentrate our efforts in two areas: 1) securing food for at least one shelter and 2) installing water tanks and purifying equipment for at least three shelters.   To the extent possible, we will also work on sanitation issues with respect to the same three shelters, in terms of installing latrines.  Donations received by IMAP will go directly towards these efforts.

How to Help

Please send donations to our umbrella organization Permaculture America Latina (PAL) with 501 C-3 status. [You can use their online Donate page, too -- editor]

Permacultura America Latina
723 Allendale Street
Santa Fe, NM  87505
505-989-1695 ph.
505-988-9702 fax

To Wire Funds

• Domestic wires: use Wells Fargo's FedWire routing transit #121000248
• International Wires: use Wells Fargo's Swift code: WFBIUS6S