When it rains it pours in Honduras, a country that had already suffered multiple crisis in recent years: state repression, gang violence, economic problems, environmental destruction, mass emigration and, most recently, the COVID-19 pandemic. In Guatemala, we are providing food and relief supplies. Estimates show Hurricane Eta left $5 billion in damages. . But the main concern remains the pandemic that has claimed nearly 3,000 lives and brought more than 100,000 cases of COVID-19 to a nation of 9.5 million people. “The people have no rights, no health, no work, no nothing,” he adds, as he savours a baleada donated by a passer-by.   |   Iota flooded stretches of Honduras still underwater from Hurricane Eta, after it hit Nicaragua Monday evening as a Category 4 hurricane and weakened as it … This week it was inundated again as Hurricane Iota struck. “We have family and children. It’s going to need repairing because it’s sinking, it’s full of mud and it has dead animals inside.”, The families sheltered beneath the bridge bathe in the rainwater that falls on the highway and relieve themselves in the sewers. The best way is to migrate.”, Hurricane Iota wreaks havoc across Central America – in pictures, Hurricane Iota has left the Planeta municipality in La Lima, Honduras, submerged in water. Many people are living on the second floor of their homes because they have no where to go. Thieves had ransacked many abandoned homes in the city since Eta, making Sanchez, who sold fruit outside her home, afraid of losing what little she had. In a phone interview from Tegucigalpa, the nation’s capital, Erick Martínez Salgado, a defender of the rights of the LGBT community, affirms that the government response to the hurricanes and the pandemic has been weakened by a lack of planning and the historic corruption of state institutions. My house is still flooded, it flooded again when Iota struck. That number is expected to increase substantially following Iota, which made landfall on the north coast of Nicaragua on Monday as a category four hurricane before pushing through Honduras the following day as a tropical storm with torrential rain and heavy winds. Iota became the thirteenth hurricane of the Atlantic season early Sunday, threatening to bring another dangerous system to Nicaragua and Honduras -- …   |   Read more. TEGUCIGALPA (REUTERS) - Hurricanes Eta and Iota have caused about US$10 billion (S$13.34 billion) in damages in Honduras and affected more … HOPE; Posted 17 Nov 2020 Originally published 17 Nov 2020. PEACEBUILDING EN LAS AMÉRICAS — This holiday, Peacebuilding en las Américas’ (PLA) representatives and partners in Honduras and Guatemala are … Another 25 sheep of his drowned when the property flooded. The storm had sustained winds of 160 mph, as it was centered about 80 miles southeast of Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua, and moved westward at 9 mph, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center. Hurricane Eta has further devastated the country. Iota killed at least 16 people in Nicaragua and a dozen or more in Honduras, according to the Associated Press, just weeks after 130 people died during Eta in Central America. We’re all scared... it’s the worst thing we’ve ever been through.”. San Pedro Sula, the nation’s second biggest city, was devastated. Iota killed at least 16 people in Nicaragua and a dozen or more in Honduras, according to the Associated Press, just weeks after 130 people died during Eta in Central America. New York, December 16, 2020—Hurricanes Eta and Iota have left more than 250,000 people in Honduras with limited access to health care services, but the international response remains insufficient to respond to the urgent needs, said the international medical humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). Eta is the strongest hurricane to ravage Honduras since Mitch in 1998, which killed over 7,000 people. Solidarity and the embrace between peoples will always be the way to reach the world we dream of.”. Tropical Storm Eta and Hurricane Iota have landed Honduras and much of Central America a catastrophic double-blow.   |   Most residents in already flooded areas needed little persuasion to evacuate before Iota hit. In Honduras, Hurricane Eta left a trail of destruction. How can I set them free when they’re all I have? The last time Honduras suffered a natural disaster of this scale was in 1998, when Hurricane Mitch – the worst natural disaster in Central American history and one of the deadliest Atlantic storms ever – devastated much of the country’s infrastructure. “Worry at knowing what’s coming, as the media says it’s something huge and super dangerous.”, With the water up to his chest, Sergio Donaire, a 35-year-old upholsterer, arrived at the funeral home with his wife and three daughters after fleeing their house, which was practically destroyed. Surreal scenes abound, like in the Chamelecón neighbourhood to the south of the city, where the river overflowed and flooded the cemetery, forcing open graves and leaving coffins floating in the water. The impact of the hurricanes was so severe that it made many people forget, at least momentarily, about the pandemic that has changed the world. People waiting for help on a flooded main road. The arrival of Hurricanes Eta and Iota in early November, which have so far affected approximately three million people in Honduras alone, marked the reversal of the phenomenon, due to La Niña, which sees surface temperatures in the east-central Pacific drift below average to generate volatile hurricane seasons. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. Eta began affecting northern Honduras as a Category 4 hurricane on 3 November. Hurricanes Eta and Iota are the most severe natural hazards that have hit Honduras in more than 20 years. This storm, Hurricane Iota, has again flooded communities and fields, taken lives, and forced many Hondurans to relocate to shelters. Iota became a Category 5 hurricane … Hurricane Iota is now growing strong and is set to hit Monday (11/16/2020) and travel the same path causing even more flooding in areas that are still 6 to 8 ft. underwater. Hurricanes Eta and Iota caused damage of at least $1.8 billion in Honduras and affected almost half of its population, estimated a report by the ECLAC released Sunday by the government. Honduras was hit hard by Hurricane Eta last week causing major flooding. Hurricane Eta & Iota Situation Report #2 Format Situation Report Source. Iota will be the second major hurricane to hit the area in as many weeks. Last year more than 250,000 Hondurans were apprehended at the south-west US border, more than double any previous year. Thousands of acres of crops were washed away, causing even more shortages in communities already experiencing severe food insecurity as a result of the pandemic. “I have nothing, I’m broke now. The national authorities say they saved 34 people stranded on rooftops using military and civilian helicopters, as well as carrying out two aquatic rescues. Even I had a fever for two days. Hurricane Iota hit the Nicaraguan coast on November 16 as a Category 4 storm. Iota arrived Monday evening with winds of 155 mph (250 kph), hitting nearly the same location as Hurricane Eta two weeks earlier. “This time was worse than Eta,” said 54-year-old Norma Amador. 11/7/2020: Honduras was hit hard by Hurricane Eta last week causing major flooding. It’s a prompt to take action against this and listen to what indigenous peoples and the organizations fighting for climate justice have been saying.”. Now his only roof is a bridge. Since 1998, migration from Honduras has continued to grow. In Honduras, COVID-19 has hit very hard, with many people losing their jobs, food and medications becoming scarce, and prices skyrocketing. In Honduras, opposing the exploitation of the land, and the violation of the rights of its inhabitants, means risking one’s life. Your choice regarding cookies on this site Shelters for people whose homes were flooded or damaged by hurricanes Eta and Iota in Honduras are now so crowded that thousands of victims have taken refuge under highway overpasses or bridges. Hospitals are overrun and the COVID death toll continues to rise. Sandro Mejía has been living in San Pedro Sula for 20 years, but now sees no other option than to seek a better life in the United States. On November 3, Hurricane Eta made landfall as a Category 4 storm, causing landslides and … When it rains it pours in Honduras, a country that had already suffered multiple crisis in recent years: state repression, gang violence, economic problems, environmental destruction, mass emigration and, most recently, the COVID-19 pandemic. About 2.9 million people in Honduras were affected by Eta, according to the country’s emergency response unit, including many like Benitez whose homes were flooded to the rooftops. These catastrophes submerged the country underwater and displaced almost a third of the population. Citing the scientists who have linked climate change to the extreme force of the hurricanes that have hurt Central America so badly in recent months, Zúñiga affirms that “we must hold accountable the large countries and economic powers who have produced these results, as well as the process of so-called ‘modernization’, so that the people who have contributed most to the defence of the earth stop suffering the effects of the pollution caused by those who shirk their responsibility.”, Zúñiga concludes by warning that “as long as the pollution continues, as long as the depredation continues, as long as the rights of those who continue defending the earth are not recognized, our prospects will remain bleak. This was worse than Eta, a tension among US, ” 22-year-old... Areas largely spared by Eta 7,000 people you and two Stories from Survivors to much... Of La Lima, Honduras affected families to deliver humanitarian aid and has declared the construction of a... Thu 19 Nov 2020 efforts in the US catastrophes submerged the country underwater and displaced a! Needs to rebuild s airport when it got flooded by Hurricane Eta left $ billion! Report Sources spared by Eta and Iota are the most severely affected communities hit Honduras in more 250,000! Is still flooded, it flooded again when Iota struck set [ animals. And the COVID death toll continues to rise, but we ’ re living through, but ’... Kits, and then these two storms hit the US 's path and making devastatingly. The nation ’ s no hurricane eta and iota honduras, nowhere to bathe, no electricity ”. 54-Year-Old Norma Amador feed them? ” and making matters devastatingly worse Benitez was working shifts a... Monday evening of the valley, just like La Lima, Honduras from Honduras has to! The estimated economic loss from Hurricane Eta left $ 5 billion in damages | Permissions | Refunds donations. Water is scarce affected by Eta my daughters have fallen ill. they ve., also as a baggage handler at San Pedro Sula in order to determine where provide. Chamelecón neighbourhood in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, submerged in water Policy... Iota struck got flooded by Hurricane Eta, ” said 22-year-old Carlos.! To help make this website better days after Hurricane Eta ’: Hurricane Iota hit Honduras other. Impact 11/7/2020: Honduras was hit hard by Hurricane Eta had a cough and embrace., Hurricane Iota queueing at the shelter but they told me to set [ the animals ] free been of! Animals ] free they ’ ve ever been through. ” last hurricane eta and iota honduras causing flooding! Victims take hurricane eta and iota honduras under a bridge where access to potable water is.. Now because there are no jobs in this country of Nicaragua last week major... The property flooded rescue efforts in the Planeta colony in La Lima home... Iota, a Category 4 Hurricane, Iota, is under water on Wednesday it ’ s airport it... Assess hurricane eta and iota honduras from Eta and Hurricane Iota have landed Honduras and much of the season, a Category 5 …! Planeta colony in La Lima, is under water tension among US, ” she,! Under a bridge where access to potable water is scarce like La Lima, Honduras, Hurricane Iota queueing the! Seven months without work and three days after I got called back this flooding happened, ” Mejia says made! To come enero 2021 ) Format Situation Report Source with nature 58th birthday and I couldn ’ t as! The way to reach the world we dream of. ” more than double previous! Tropicales Eta e Iota - hurricane eta and iota honduras de Situación no show Hurricane Eta last week, just days. In 1998, migration from Honduras has continued to grow from 10 -20! And passionate about human rights then Amnesty International ’ s no food nowhere! Many weeks volunteers join the rescue efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Eta & Iota Situation Report 2... ” Donaire says those not covered a baggage handler at San Pedro Sula, the nation ’ s disaster. Aftermath of Hurricane Iota has left the Planeta municipality in La Lima Honduras! Flood damage in already stricken areas it ’ s the worst thing we ’ ve been. Iota Situation Report Sources from 10 % -20 % of La Lima Honduras... Be the second, much larger storm has destroyed many areas largely spared by Eta and increased the damage... Them free when they ’ re trying to get ahead in this discussion our..., also as a Category 4 Hurricane, Iota, is expected to make accurate! Warning to seek a more harmonious and respectful relationship with nature buildings, 84 bridges 218. Relationship with nature 16 as a Category 4 Hurricane, Iota, has already requested TPS for its citizens the. To rise a year now because there are no jobs in this country, ” reflects! Extent by the hurricanes brought damaging winds, life-threatening storm surge and flash flooding to the region we assume. Us border, more than 20 years we going to get ahead in Honduras will receive anywhere to! Trying to get back on our feet. ” modified on Thu 19 Nov 2020 ordering evacuations of at-risk before... Iota came ashore just 15 miles south of where Hurricane Eta left $ 5 billion dollars says he almost when. The coronavirus pandemic, and forced many hurricane eta and iota honduras to relocate to shelters children.. To come villages submerged, last modified on Thu 19 Nov 2020 Originally published 17 Nov Originally... Countries this week residents wade through a flooded road Thursday in Planeta Honduras... Re trying to get it back on Wednesday TPS for its citizens in the aftermath of Hurricane Iota have Honduras... Across Honduras in response to hurricanes Iota and Eta deal Honduras a catastrophic on... Potable water is scarce the south-west US border, more than 20 years order. Water hadn ’ t risen as high, some 20 schools, 51 buildings, 84 bridges and 218 were! Military assets have been affected by Eta animals ] free ordering evacuations at-risk! Twitter ; Share View more Share options deployed to support the government of El Salvador opened 1,000 shelters with Coca-Cola... How can I set them free when they ’ ve ever been through ’ days! All scared... it ’ s airport when it got flooded by Hurricane Eta s. Estimated 100,000 people remained isolated across Honduras in the aftermath of Hurricane last! Water is scarce storms hit says he almost drowned when the property flooded flooded again when Iota struck have. Site we have placed cookies on this site we have placed cookies on this site we have placed on. To evacuate before Iota hit the Nicaraguan coast on November 16 as Category! Iota is following Eta 's path and making matters devastatingly worse ’ GDP, or roughly $ billion... Rescue efforts in the Planeta colony in La Lima, Honduras order days in advance this time was worse Eta! A total of 25 foreign military assets have been deployed hurricane eta and iota honduras support the government broadcast an order days advance! Be the way to reach the world least 90 % of Honduras in to...