RELIEF TO HONDURAS' HURRICANE VICTIMS: MONTREAL-BASED "MOSQUITIA CAMPAIGN"


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How To Send Relief Supplies To Mosquitia:

Mosquitia Campaign Activities Update - 01/99


WE ARE:

"MOSQUITIA CAMPAIGN," a group of McGill graduate students and Montreal-area residents who have worked in Honduras. In conjunction with the Honduran Consulate and Development & Peace, we are collaborating with former colleagues at two Honduran non-governmental organizations, FITH (Federacion Indigena Tawahka de Honduras) and MOPAWI (Mosquitia Pawisa) to get needed aid down to the remote Mosquitia (or "Mosquito Coast") region.

WHY THE MOSQUITIA?

The remote Mosquitia, like all Honduras, was badly hit by Hurricane Mitch and subsequent flooding; the mainly Miskito, Tawahka and Pech indigenous population there is in desperate need of food, medicines and other supplies. Historical evidence and the remoteness of this region has shown that national-level relief efforts will be slow in arriving.

The Honduran government has appealed to private groups to initiate relief efforts to remote areas such as the Mosquitia. In response to this plea, MOPAWI and FITH have assumed responsibility for delivering aid there, and have asked for our help.

OUR GOALS:

-Channel short-term emergency relief directly to communities in the Mosquitia
-Monitor potential to support long-term rebuilding of devastated communities

OUR STRATEGY:

In Canada: Our efforts are focussed on collecting cash and material donations from the Montreal community. We have initiated a campaign at McGill University and are also soliciting corporate sector donations, and facilitating other Montreal-area schools to join our campaign.

In Honduras: MOPAWI and FITH are in constant radio contact with communities in the Mosquitia. They provide us with daily reports of the situation in the area and indicate what specific relief is required. Committees have been organized by the communities in order to equitably distribute relief materials.

THE CURRENT SITUATION:

Raging rivers have swept away entire communities and all crops in the region. MOPAWI estimates that 50,000 people have lost their subsistence base and that 12,500 people are homeless and on the move, searching for food. Most people will start their 2nd week without food. Intestinal and respiratory infections are already rampant due to contaminated water. Cholera, dengue fever, and malaria are all endemic to the region. Outbreaks are expected soon.

Since November 7th medical teams have been entering the region in a tiny Cessna plane. However, no food supplies have yet reached the area. Normal river transport is still impossible.

WHAT'S NEEDED:

Please see list. Because of severe transportational restraints, we are asking for donations of small-volume high-value goods or the money to obtain them. Money is also needed to charter planes from Tegucigalpa (the Capitol city) to the Mosquitia.

HOW WILL IT GET THERE?

All goods collected by MOSQUITIA CAMPAIGN will be specially marked and sent down with larger shipments organized by the Honduran Consulate out of Montreal (airlines are donating space). Once in Tegucigalpa, the goods will be received by representatives of MOPAWI or FITH, flown to the Mosquitia, and distributed.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

MONEY can be sent by cheque to our associate organization, DEVELOPMENT and PEACE, at 5633 Sherbrooke St. E., Montreal Quebec H1N 1A3. Or you can call in and pledge by VISA or MASTERCARD (please specify "MOSQUITIA CAMPAIGN") to 1-888-234-8533 or (514)257-8711. Don't be discouraged if your call is answered in French, receptionists are bilingual. Please make your cheques out to: "Development & Peace--Hurricane Mitch Mosquitia Campaign." A tax-deductible receipt will be issued for donations greater than $10 if your name and mailing address are clearly indicated. DONATIONS may be dropped off at 3 specially marked areas around the McGill Campus: MGM Lab, 5th floor Burnside Hall; Stewart Biology Building Main Lobby; Redpath Library by the turnstiles.

Or call Kendra McSweeney at 514-490-9650 to organize a pick up. Or e-mail us. Or fax: 450-698-1265.

Our web-site: http://www.generation.net/~derekp/mitch-relief.html

Our contacts have specifically asked for the following:

DRY FOODS: pasta, oatmeal, corn flour, sugar, powdered milk/soup

MEDICAL: Soap, bleach (for water purification), water purif. tablets, aspirin, disinfectant, disposable syringes, rehydration salts

SUPPLIES: flashlights & batteries (size C), fishing hooks (2 cm or smaller and line (10 lb test), can openers.

It is very difficult to procure flights from Canada to deliver goods to Honduras, as such, cash donations will be easily converted into goods in Honduras bypassing this bottleneck. We ask for these goods only, or the money to buy them. Currently in Honduras there are extreme transportation constraints. Your contribution will be flown to the Mosquito Coast in small planes, the only transport accessing the area. High-value, compact relief packages are best.

Please view this map of the affected region in the Mosquitia to see where your sponsored relief goods will be received and distributed

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This web-page was produced, designed & is maintained by Derek A Parent, A Walkabout In The Rio Platano Biosphere, La Mosquitia, Honduras. This page was updated on: November 27th 98.