Nicaragua

In November 2020, two devastating hurricanes hit northeastern Nicaragua within just two weeks of each other. Hurricanes Eta and Iota, some of the strongest storms in decades, destroyed thousands of homes, leaving thousands of families living in emergency shelters with only the belongings they could carry. Nicaragua was already Latin America’s second poorest country, and the hurricanes wiped out vast swaths of infrastructure like wells and sanitation facilities. Also, ongoing economic, social, and political instability over the last few years has increased Nicaragua’s vulnerability, and the COVID-19 pandemic worsened an existing economic recession. A presidential election in late 2021 poses further stability challenges, with increased risks of protests and violence. With support from partners and donors, over 56,000 people affected by the hurricanes and the pandemic are getting the resources they need, including clean water, food, job opportunities, healthcare, and shelter. Families who lost everything in the hurricanes’ destruction have received emergency items like hygiene kits, mosquito nets, blankets, and clothing while we help them rebuild and get back on their feet.