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Nicaragua

ACT Appeal Nicaragua - Hurricane Beta - LACE 53

Attachments


Appeal Target: US$ 85,604

Geneva, 18 November 2005

Dear colleagues,

The north east coastal areas of Honduras and Nicaragua were affected by the remnants of a low- pressure system in the aftermath of Hurricane Beta at the end of October 2005.

In Nicaragua the most affected area was the Atlantic region. In the Atlantic Northern Region, Waspam, there was a significant evacuation of people as initially it was estimated that it would be the worst hit area. However, just hours before the hurricane landed it veered south towards Pearl Lagoon. Significant flooding was registered in the Atlantic Northern Region due to the torrential and continuous rains brought by Beta. Fourteen communities along the Rio Coco were inundated and had to be evacuated to schools, churches and health centres located above the flood level.

In the Atlantic south region, tropical storm Beta lashed several communities aggravating the situation of poverty in which the Miskitos, Garifunas and Maygnas indigenous people live. Their flimsy houses were snatched up in the winds and harvests were devastated. The municipalities of Laguna de Perlas and the estuary of the Grande river were the most severely hit municipalities. Around 5,000 persons were seriously affected, of these some 2,700 were at the centre of the impact and lost all their belongings. Around 80% of the buildings and infrastructure in the area were destroyed. Some 500,000 hectares of forests, coconut palms, palm trees, bananas, etc were flattened by the hurricane force winds. Livestock and livelihood materials were totally devastated. Water borne illnesses and pneumonia are on the increase and there are currently insufficient medical supplies available to tackle any outbreak of disease.

ACT Nicaragua Forum is proposing to respond to this emergency by providing food assistance, health services, reconstruction of latrines and housing materials to 266 families in 5 communities. ACT member Christian Medical Action (AMC) will implement this project along with ACT member Interchurch Center for Theological and Social Studies (CIEETS).

ACT is a global alliance of churches and related agencies working to save lives and support communities in emergencies worldwide. The ACT Coordinating Office is based with the World Council of Churches (WCC) and The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in Switzerland. ACT members in Honduras have been assessing the situation and a project for Honduras might be forthcoming in a revision of this appeal.

Project Completion Date: 15 February 2006

Summary of Appeal Targets, Pledges/Contributions Received and Balance Requested

US$
Total Appeal Target(s)
85,604
Less: Pledges/Contr. Recd.
Balance Requested from ACT Alliance
5,604

Please kindly send your contributions to either of the following ACT bank accounts:

US dollar
Account Number - 240-432629.60A
IBAN No: CH46 0024 0240 4326 2960A

Euro
Euro Bank Account Number - 240-432629.50Z
IBAN No: CH84 0024 0240 4326 2950Z

Account Name: ACT - Action by Churches Together
UBS AG
8, rue du Rhône
P.O. Box 2600
1211 Geneva 4, SWITZERLAND
Swift address: UBSW CHZH12A

Please also inform the Finance Officer Jessie Kgoroeadira (direct tel. +4122/791.60.38, e-mail address jkg@act-intl.org) of all pledges/contributions and transfers, including funds sent direct to the implementers, now that the Pledge Form is no longer attached to the Appeal.

We would appreciate being informed of any intent to submit applications for EU, USAID and/or other back donor funding and the subsequent results. We thank you in advance for your kind co-operation.

For further information please contact:

ACT Interim Director, Jenny Borden (phone +41 22 791 6033 or mobile phone + 41 79 203 6055) or

ACT Program Officer, Elsa Moreno, (phone +41 22 791 6420 or mobile phone +41 79 608 8133)

ACT Web Site address: http://www.act-intl.org

Jenny Borden
Interim Director, ACT Co-ordinating Office

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