Massive relief operations areunderway to rescue tens of thousands of people who became victims of Hurricane Mitch, mostly inNicaragua and Honduras. Thedeath toll, which is estimated to beover 10,000 is expected to rise dueto hunger and disease (Down ToEartk Vol 7, No 14). According tothe United Nations World FoodProgramme, in Honduras alone,over 70,000 people will need foodaid in the next few months. InNicaragua, the number of peoplerendered homeless is estimated at900,000, dose to 20 per cent of thepopulation. The losses are enormous. 300 schools were destroyed,too bridges were washed away, andsome of Nicaragua's richest farmlands were destroyed. "The socialsector will be much harder to handle because of severe uncinployment and lack of housing andwater," said Honduras financeminister Gabriela Nunez.According to the aid agencies,repairing the infrastructure alonewill take more than US $200 milfion.
European Union nations, Japanand China have rushed emergencyaid to the region. The US alsoannounced US $90 million emergency assistance and is planning areconstruction programme forCentral America. Cuban PresidentFidel Castro said his country willsend 2,000 doctors to CentralAmerica to help save thousands oflives. This would be a form of'revenge' on the Hurricane Mitch,said Castro.
Various celebrities have alsooffered their help to the victims.The wife of US vice-president AlGore spent two days in theHonduran capital, Tegucigalpa,where she joined assembly line filling aid packages and distributingsupplies to homeless refugees.other visitors included ColombianFirst lAdy Nobra Pastrants, HillaryRodhaust Clinton, wife of US president Bill Clinton and BinacaJagger, ex-wife of the RollingStones singer Mike Jagger.