Update on Hurricane Mitch

NEW PAGE !!

Videos & Images

First Lady Hillary Clinton brings message of goodwill to Honduras

U.S. first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton announces new aid packages for Honduras at a press conference held at Toncontin International Airport on Monday. (Photo by Stanley Marrder.)

TEGUCIGALPA -- U.S. First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton on Monday (Nov. 16) arrived in Tegucigalpa aboard a Hercules C-130, The Rock, in a show of support toward the Honduran people in the aftermath of Hurricane Mitch. During her stopover, the first lady met in private with President Flores for approximately one hour to confer on matters related to relief and reconstruction activities. Full story by MARIA FIALLOS

The People of Honduras
Need Your Help
Click here for a list of organizations
accepting donations.
There is one in your area.

Click Here for a List of Aid Items Needed

Miramesi residents say last good-bye to old community
Two children play on a large wooden spool on what was once the community of Miramesi.

Florencia Aguilar took me by the hand and led me down to the banks of the Choluteca River, the same river that destroyed a large portion of Tegucigalpa a week ago. With sad, yet infinitely patient eyes, she pointed to the middle of the stream and said, "Michael, that is where my family lived for almost twelve years." Full article by MICHAEL MILLER

Unprecedented show of support for Honduras

Tipper Gore (left), wife of U.S. Vice President Al Gore, and Honduran first lady Mary de Flores (right) visit flood victims at one of the many shelters in Tegucigalpa.

TEGUCIGALPA, NOVEMBER 16, 1998  -- Current and former world leaders continue to express their solidarity to Hondurans and promising assistance for the reconstruction of the nation, which was recently devastated by Hurricane Mitch. Full article by BLANCA MORENO

University providing shelter to thousands of flood victims

Ignacia holds her baby that was born in the emergency shelter at the university.

TEGUCIGALPA, NOVEMBER 16, 1998 -- The recent flooding throughout the country has forced, according to government estimates, nearly 2,000,000 Hondurans out of their homes either temporarily or, in the worst case, for an indefinite period of time. In order to deal with this mass of homeless people, make-shift emergency shelters centers have opened up wherever an open space or building will allow. Full article by KETZI CHACON

Six days with Mitch
Region by Region

Houston--Hurricane Mitch spent six days devastating the entire nation as it slowly moved over nearly every inch of Honduras. Hurricane Mitch first hit the North coast at La Mosquitia, an area with a population that consists primarily of Miskito and other Indigenous groups. Many of these people have since been without shelter or aid as the storm and all eyes focused on the Bay Islands. Full report by Linda Marrder in Mitch.

Mitch leaves nation in ruins
Wake of destruction left by hurricane unparalleled in the annals of Honduran history

Several houses hang precariously on the steep slopes of Cerro El Berrinche (Comayagüela) as curious capital city residents watch on the other side of the Río Choluteca. (Photos by Eric Schwimmer.)

TEGUCIGALPA NOVEMBER 7,  1998--The skies cleared this week and the sun has come out now and then, allowing Hondurans to get a firsthand look at the extent of the devastation caused by Hurricane Mitch and to begin reconstruction. Full article by ERIC SCHWIMMER

President Flores and first lady send SOS to the world
TEGUCIGALPA November 7,  1998--"Honduras is mortally wounded but not in agony," stated President Flores when he asked for solidarity with the thousands of dead, wounded and homeless as a result of Hurricane Mitch. Full article by BLANCA MORENO in Mitch

Miramesi victims make plans for the future
TEGUCIGALPA NOVEMBER 7,  1998-- Hurricane Mitch wiped out four communities in the capital. Among these the riverbank community of Miramesi of approximately 1,000 people was completely displaced. Full article by MARIA FIALLOS

President Flores calls on the International community for help

HOUSTON, NOVEMBER 3, 1998 -- "We have before us a panorama of death, desolation and ruin in all of the national territory," President Flores said Monday in a speech to the stunned population of his devastated country. ``We are making an urgent and anguishing call on the international community (for help),'' said the president. Full article by Linda Marrder

Help Arrives

Honduran First Lady Mary Flake de Flores recieves the first shipment of relief goods collected in Houston (photo by Stanley Marrder Special to Honduras This Week Online)

Houston, NOVEMBER 6, 1998--Foreign aid trickles in as Hondurans struggle to help their countrymen while hampered by damaged roads, bridges and communications systems. Water, electricity and phone service are gradually being restored in the larger cities. While a few roads and bridges have been repaired, a shortage of gasoline and airplane fuel can now be added to the list of obstacles. Full article by Linda Marrder

Honduras This Week Direct is a FREE service provided to our readers who use the Netscape  email program or any other email program that supports html email.

Please Help!

Tropical Depression Mitch continues
to batter Honduras
Ham radio operators keep communications open, rescue operations begin

Houston,Saturday, October 31, 1998--Even though Hurricane Mitch has been downgraded and international news agencies are losing interest, it is still causing major damage to nearly the entire country as the storm refuses to move away.Full article in Features By Linda Marrder

Mitch batters North Coast
Tens of thousands left homeless in wake of hurricane's destruction

TEGUCIGALPA, Friday, October 30, 1998  -- Although downgraded from a hurricane to a tropical storm, Mitch on Friday (Oct. 30) continued to pound the northern coast of Honduras, dumping large amounts of rain throughout the country that has caused heavy flooding and millions in damages. Full article in Features By BLANCA MORENO

El Gordito dies in Helicopter crash!
Houston, October 31, 1998-- Dr. Cesar Castellanos, the mayor of Tegucigalpa known as "El Gordito" was killed Sunday evening when his helicopter crashed in the vicinity of colonia Las Brisas in Tegucigalpa. Castellanos was surveying the damage to the capital city along with a cameraman and a military officer. It is not yet known if there were any survivors.

The mayor addressed the public Saturday at 11:00 pm CDT when he said that he saw this catastrophe as a challenge to prove that Hondurans can overcome these hardships and felt that this was an opportunity to rebuild a capitol city that all would be proud of. He announced a plan to first rebuild the damaged streets and bridges and asked for patience, trust, and support from citizens. Castellanos was a favorite for the presidency.

More about El Gortido :
New mayor of Teguz brings a welcome, noticeable change--February 1997

Urgent Message from the Editor
Saturday October 31, 1998

Dear Stan:

At this time more than 1 million people are homeless by Hurricane Mitch. I don't know where to start but before phones and internet fail, let me relate you what happened in our country. Maybe at this moment only 20% of the telephone system is functioning. Potable water system is functioning in maybe 20% of the country. In a couple of days more things will only get worse because the govt. won't be able to control the water levels flowing through the dams and will be out of control. Electricity is working at 25 % of its capacity with no way to rebuild the infrasrtucture. Complete Message by Mario Gutierrez