World Vision has numerous projects in Mexico's eastern state of Veracruz; our staff is ready to respond with aid.

August 22, 2007


Hurricane Dean struck the eastern coast of Mexico's mainland Wednesday, making landfall with Category 2 strength. Strong winds and rain were reported along 60 miles of coastline centered on the fishing town of Tecolutla in the state of Veracruz. The hurricane diminished to Category 1 status soon after reaching land, but 27,000 people were reportedly affected in that state, with 16,000 evacuated to shelters.

A World Vision response team from our Mexico office is in Veracruz, prepared to deliver aid in the wake of Dean's second landing in the country.

World Vision has numerous development projects in Veracruz — many of which are situated in lowlands susceptible to flash flooding. Our team is ready to respond with blankets, sheets, personal hygiene articles, and medicines stored in warehouses in Mexico City. These items are ready for transport as needed. Availability of potable water will also be among immediate needs in the storm's aftermath.

"The damage from the next strike of Hurricane Dean could be greater because of the larger population base on the coastal plain near Veracruz and the fact that the region is so poor," said Francois de la Roche, World Vision's emergency response director in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Mexico Battered

Dean first hit Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula at Category 5 strength early Tuesday. Though the eye of the storm passed over the least populated area of the peninsula, weakening rapidly to a Category 1 level, the region did sustain damage, said Aldo Pontecorvo, our director of emergency affairs in Mexico.

In an interview from Merida, capital of Yucatan state, Pontecorvo told Bloomberg News: "Traffic lights are down, and there is extreme flooding; what we're really worried about [are] the 50,000 people in the low-lying areas along the coast … the houses these people live in are badly constructed and can't withstand hurricane winds."

The Mexican government has informed our staff that 2,000 families living in the lowlands of Yucatan were affected. Though World Vision does not have any development projects in this region, we are prepared to provide aid to these families, should the government request our help.

Relief staff members are positioned to assess damage from Dean's first strike in Mexico and prepare an emergency response for the country's hardest-hit areas.

Storm's Deadly Path

This past weekend, Hurricane Dean's furious strength swept by the southern coasts of the Dominican Republic (DR) and Haiti, before pummeling Jamaica's shores on Sunday.

World Vision's offices in Haiti and the DR had prepared for the worst and are grateful that the hurricane's impact was moderate. Initial reports indicate that no World Vision-registered children were affected in either of those countries.

Haiti and the DR were mostly spared, the BBC confirmed Sunday, reporting that damages were apparently limited to flooding in coastal areas.

Dominican Republic

World Vision staff member Josè Luis is currently on the ground in the DR and reports that Dean brushed the south of the country, but caused no major damage. A World Vision assessment team is currently determining the impact.

Initial reports indicate that all program areas served by World Vision are unscathed, and staff and registered children are all safe. Our DR office is conducting an extensive follow-up assessment to ensure the continued safety of our children and families.

Damages reported in the areas where World Vision operates so far include the destruction of several houses near the sea, some fallen trees, and the loss of electricity in several areas. One person reportedly was killed, though no injuries have been reported.

Haiti

World Vision's Elvire Douglas in Haiti confirms that the hurricane also brushed the southern coast here, but caused no major damage. No World Vision program areas, registered children, or staff members were affected. An in-country assessment team is currently visiting the affected region to determine the massive storm's impact.

For the latest updates on World Vision's crisis aid efforts in the countries where we work, check out Latest World Vision News.