Intense, heavy rains in southern Mexico have left at least 1 million people in need of emergency assistance, according to Christian aid agency World Vision. The most urgent needs right now are for clean water and non-food items that can help prevent disease outbreaks among the 800,000 left homeless. Help is even more urgent for the 300,000 people who are still stranded by the floods.

"This massive number of stranded people can only be reached via boats or helicopter, and rescuing them will take time," said Aldo Pontecorvo, World Vision's emergency response director in Mexico. "Meanwhile, children are at especially high risks of dengue, cholera, and mosquito-borne diseases."

World Vision is sending an estimated 40 metric tons of soap, shampoo, sanitary towels, toilet paper, powdered detergent and liquid cleaner to Villahermosa in Tabasco state, although flooded roadways may cause delays. The agency plans to increase its response in the coming days.
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In southern Mexico, an estimated 800,000 have been left homeless because of flooding.
photo by World Vision Staff/World Vision

Some 300,000 people are still believed to be stranded by the floods.
photo by World Vision Staff/World Vision

World Vision teams on the ground are working to ensure the safety of local families while waiting for heavy equipment to clear roads to isolated communities.
photo by World Vision Staff/World Vision