U.S. Announces a Total of US$ 125,000 in Humanitarian Assistance to Flood Victims

October 19, 2011

Women in Southern Honduras receive emergency supplies from USAID and Save the Children. (State Dept. Photo)

TEGUCIGALPA, M.D.C. – The U.S. Government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), announced the donation of nearly 1 million Lempiras (U.S. $50,000) of additional humanitarian aid for the victims of the tragic floods in Honduras.  The new funds bring total humanitarian assistance from the U.S. government to approximately 2.5 million Lempiras (U.S. $125,000), in addition to the support the U.S. brings to organizations such as United Nations’ World Food Programme.

The U.S. Government, through grants to save the Children and Plan Honduras, began distributing hygiene kits, kitchen sets, mattresses, blankets and drinking water to evacuees in temporary shelters in the Choluteca and Valle departments within the first 24 hours of the emergency.

We have deployed a total of four disaster specialists to monitor flooding and damage, and to assist in the delivery of humanitarian aid.  These specialists are working with Honduras’ Permanent Commission of Contingencies (COPECO) to coordinate assistance in order to help the largest number of people to the greatest extent possible.

We will continue to monitor the situation in the affected areas and work with the Honduran government to identify pressing needs.  We join other members of the Red Humanitaria (Humanitarian Network) and national and international private companies who have donated goods and services to help alleviate the suffering caused by the flooding.