Friends of Chimo - Storm Narda response & recovery
This weekend, Storm Narda hit the rural coastal village of Chimo (Jalisco, Mexico), washing away homes and critical infrastructure, such as roads , and cutting off electricity. The village doesn`t have health facilities or a doctor, and were reliant on deliveries of drinking water, which are now cut off.
Situated an hour`s boat journey, along the coast from the city of Puerto Vallarta, and at the bottom a large valley with only one road, access to provide support remains very challenging . Many families are left with just the clothes they are wearing, and are sheltering with those whose homes remain intact. 
Family and friends are doing their best to send critical water, food, medicine and clothes via their own motor boats, however much more is needed, both to respond to emergency needs, and longer term reconstruction. 
My name is Harriet Macdonald-walker, I lived in Chimo in 2008 and have been going back since then. I know many of the families that have lost their phone and lived with a family that is hosting some of these people. The people of Chimo are some of the most honest, kind and generous people I have met, and have shown many of us from this side of the world nothing but warmth and love.
We wanted to create this page just in case there are others that might want to help with the response.
The money will be given directly to the villagers from Chimo that are currently in the city (Puerto Vallarta), to allow them to buy more resources, and transport them by family boats to Chimo. If we have enough money, some could also go towards starting reconstruction efforts. I will ask these friends to share photos to document what they spend the money on. I will transfer all the money to one of the villagers (Nadia Araiza Cruz), she has been meeting with the 8 families who have lost their homes to understand what they need. There are other efforts to rebuild houses and reinstall the electricity and running water, so based on the consultations in the village, the best decision as it stands will be to use the funds will be buying appliances for inside the new homes, such as ovens and fridges. There are lots of ad-hoc efforts going on to donate and contribute so we are ensuring we have a good understanding of what is being done and where the gaps are so ensure the funds have maximum value. I will keep the site updated on decisions made and will not withdraw or transfer the money until a plan is made.
The news coverage doesn`t capture the impacts of the hurricane in Chimo itself, as so small and remote, but some updates on progress can be found here,on the chimo facebook page. 
