Fuego Eruption (June 2018)

Vamos Adelante activity ramped up in the aftermath of Fuego’s June 2018 eruption. In the immediate aftermath, Vamos Adelante partnered with World Central Kitchen (WCK) to serve 31,785 warm meals (~1,000 per day) in the cutoff community of La Ceylan for nearly two months before reducing the program to ~160 people. Vamos Adelante promotoras visited evacuated families in the temporary shelters to identify their material and health needs and to try to help. By the end of July 2018, Vamos Adelante had distributed 2,000 tin sheets to replace damaged roofs, 475 water filters, 170 solar lamps and kitchen kits (including pots, pans, cutlery, plates and cups); contributed transportation costs to move evacuated families to a new safe homes; helped with funeral costs; paid temporary rent for several families from Zone Zero; bought basic furniture for those who lost everything; created special scholarships as needed; and donated seeds for replanting destroyed corn and bean crops.

 

Following the eruption of Fuego, WCK set up a solar-powered local emergency center in the Vamos Adelante school in La Ceylan. It contains a water filter system and solar charging station so there will be enough filtered drinking water (1,100 liters) and energy to charge mobile phones during subsequent emergencies.

To read more about Vamos Adelante’s immediate response to the Fuego eruption in 2018, see blog entries from Summer 2018.

 

Tropical storm Agatha (May 2010)

During Tropical Storm Agatha, Vamos Adelante distributed tin sheets for damaged roofs, delivered food to remote areas, and helped the many affected in remote villages with needed medicines.

 

Hurricane Stan (September 2005)

When devastating Hurricane Stan hit Guatemala in September 2005, Vamos Adelante served as a main artery to bring governmental support to local residents affected by the storm. Despite mudslides, flooded rivers and dangerous roads, six tons of food made it to the region in which Vamos Adelante works. For weeks following the disaster, families were sustained by the foundation’s managed distribution of food and blankets.