GOD'S CHILD Project Guatemala Emergency Relief Fund
Three months after Tropical Storm Agatha struck Guatemala a devastating blow- leaving over 150 people dead and tens of thousands homeless- the developing country suffered greatly at the hands of another natural disaster this weekend.
Torrential rains caused by a tropical depression battered the nation for days, triggering landslides and massive flooding. Landslides killed at least 38 people, including rescuers working to save those already buried under the mud.
The GOD’S CHILD Project, one of the first organizations to assist during Tropical Storm Agatha, was again one of the first responders to this tragedy. The GOD’S CHILD Project staff rescued women and children trapped under a wall of mud and debris in the nearby slums of Jocotenango.
"We are not only facing a horrible disaster, but a lack of resources due to the material and financial assistance we provided during Agatha," said founder and executive director Patrick Atkinson. "We are rationing our supplies for the most needy and most affected victims, and sending out a call to action. We need your help and we need it now."
On Thursday, May 27th volcano Pacaya erupted about 15 miles south of Guatemala city, killing several and displacing thousands.
On Friday and Saturday, Tropical Storm Agatha moved into Guatemala, dropped 25" of rain on the Antigua, Guatemala area, caused several more deaths and forced at least 74,000 people to evacuate their homes. Hundreds of GOD'S CHILD Project families lost their homes.
Below are unedited photos from the disaster relief efforts currently underway by GOD'S CHILD Project Guatemala staff and volunteer team members. People in the blue shirts with the smiley faces are GOD'S CHILD Project staff and volunteer team members from Guatemala and around the world. On the stretchers are the bodies of a young woman and her infant daughter uncovered by volunteers. Please pray. Please help.
The rescue and evacuation of hundreds of survivors by GOD'S CHILD Project Guatemala staff and volunteers from around the world, DURING the late-night flooding on Saturday, May 29th.
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The GOD'S CHILD Project Guatemala staff and volunteer team is presently conducting recovery and search for victims. The following set of photos are from May 31st and June 1st. Your help, prayers, and support mean the difference between life and death.
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The following set of photos show The GOD'S CHILD Project's international team of staff and volunteers working together on the volcanic eruption / Tropical Storm Agatha duo-disaster that recently struck Guatemala. The Project's founder and international executive director, Patrick Atkinson, is wearing the red shirt.
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The GOD'S CHILD Project is known for its efficiency and effectiveness in emergency situations in Central America and is leading the way in relief efforts. Volunteers and staff are literally pulling people out from the mud, helping with evacuations, having food and clothing distributions, and helping with emergency housing.
There are thousands of people without homes. The poor of Guatemala need your help now more than ever. Please donate to the GOD'S CHILD Project so that we can help those who need it most.
GCP Board Member Glenn Pomeroy and Manuel
"gleenn hello how are you? I hope not
too tired, I want to thank you for your unconditional support to all
people
of our godchildren [La Asociación Nuestros Ahijados, The GOD'S CHILD Project]... you are very valuable people who
give
aid to many who need it, and I send many blessings. I hope that when my house is restored, inviting them to
a meal or a small celebration for their great support and help they
have
given us. is comforting to know that we are not alone and that there
is so
much help from so many people locked straight ... that provide little
or all
of their time to help and leave their chores .. I can only say thank
you ..
thank you very much. and God bless."
-An email from Manuel to Chief Executive Officer of California Earthquake Authority and GOD'S CHILD Board Member, Glenn Pomeroy (Both Pictured Above)
José Juventino Paredes, Mayor of Ciudad Vieja
"The First organization that was present from the early hours since the avalanche of water, mud, rocks and trees, which Tropical Storm Agatha brought, was La Asociación Nuestros Ahijados [The GOD'S CHILD Project]. Thank you for the deeply appreciated assistance, on behalf of all the inhabitants of Ciudad Vieja"
Jose Juventino Parades, Mayor of Ciudad Vieja
"We worked shoulder-to-shoulder with the staff of La Asociación Nuestros Ahijados [The GOD'S CHILD Project] on Saturday, May 29 and Sunday, May 30 to bring relief to the victims of the storm. I also thank The GOD'S CHILD Project for their monthly financial support of the Municipal Fire Department of Ciudad Vieja, with which we buy fuel for the ambulances and cover some expenses for the rescue units"
Luis Gonzales, First Commander of Ciudad Vieja Municipal Fire Department
John Warford, Mayor of Bismarck, ND
KFYR TV coverage of The GOD'S CHILD Project's urgent need for additional supplies and donations for this disaster relief effort
Bismarck Tribune Coverage of GOD'S CHILD Project emergency rescue efforts after Wednesday's Pacaya Volcano eruption
