Guatemala's Volcan de Fuego Relief
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(Please click on the Updates tab for the latest info after reading this).
Hola and thank you for taking the time to visit and read about this cause.
Who Am I?
For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Lily Lepe and I am a Guatemala native. I am currently residing in Chicago but most of my family is still back in Guatemala City (all safe). The tragic news of the volcano eruptions this passed Sunday urged my family and I to get together and partner with Iglesia San Sebastián (congregation my family in Guatemala belongs to) to raise funds and purchase items for those affected by the recent eruptions.
Why we are doing this?
On Sunday, June 3rd, Guatemalans suffered from a devastating volcano eruption leaving millions in need of help. After the Fuego Volcano began its second eruption of the year, the ashy, toxic and smoky explosion reached more than 10k meters above sea level, pyroclastic flows descended through the ravines/valleys of this volcanic dome taking everything with it. The fiery and toxic clouds that quickly descended from the crater devastated all nearby communities leaving them inhabitable, killing dozens of Guatemalans and leaving over a million in need of help.
Latest numbers as of 6/4/2018 provided by The National Disaster Reduction Agency of Guatemala (CONRED):
Departments (states) affected: Sacatepéquez, Escuintla and Chimaltenango
Deaths: 65
Wounded: 50+
1.7 Million people affected
653 people sheltered
The number of people who are missing remains unknown.
The number of destroyed homes also remains unknown
What will the funds be used for?
The funds raised will be sent directly to my sisters, Rocksy and Paty, in Guatemala City, where they will personally purchase whatever items are most needed at the time. They have a close relationship with "caritas" in Alotenango, a non-profit organization responsible for updating the list of most needed items. Urgent needs are constantly changing but they include, canned foods, medicine, towels, personal hygiene supplies, water and water. Rescue teams are also asking for donations including boots and face masks. As the volcano is still active, whatever was left behind reaches very high temperatures forcing search and rescue teams to go through boots, uniforms and masks quickly.
Where are the funds going?
The eruptions completely wiped out two already impoverished neighborhoods, Los Lotes and El Rodeo (pictured below), located at the bottom of the volcano. I've included a graphic below for reference. The residents that were able to flee the volcanic fiery flows, lost it all, including their homes and in worse cases, family members. Survivors have been relocated to various shelters in the surrounding areas, away from the volcano. One of the nearby towns is Alotenango.
With recent contributions made to this cause (a HUGE gracias to all who already donated and made this possible), my sisters in Guatemala have already been able to fill a van with items and transported them to the victims sheltered in Alotenango, GT.
Items purchased and donated on 6/5/2018:
Your help is still needed!
Guatemalans have come together and have donated so much already but the need is so huge that we still need your help! Please continue checking back for more updates.
Thank you for your time and donation!!! <3
Help spread the word, share this post.
Please check the updates section of this campaign to stay up to date.
#FUERZAGUATE
#PrayForGuatemala
#GuatemalaSobrevivira
Hola and thank you for taking the time to visit and read about this cause.
Who Am I?
For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Lily Lepe and I am a Guatemala native. I am currently residing in Chicago but most of my family is still back in Guatemala City (all safe). The tragic news of the volcano eruptions this passed Sunday urged my family and I to get together and partner with Iglesia San Sebastián (congregation my family in Guatemala belongs to) to raise funds and purchase items for those affected by the recent eruptions.
Why we are doing this?
On Sunday, June 3rd, Guatemalans suffered from a devastating volcano eruption leaving millions in need of help. After the Fuego Volcano began its second eruption of the year, the ashy, toxic and smoky explosion reached more than 10k meters above sea level, pyroclastic flows descended through the ravines/valleys of this volcanic dome taking everything with it. The fiery and toxic clouds that quickly descended from the crater devastated all nearby communities leaving them inhabitable, killing dozens of Guatemalans and leaving over a million in need of help.
Latest numbers as of 6/4/2018 provided by The National Disaster Reduction Agency of Guatemala (CONRED):
Departments (states) affected: Sacatepéquez, Escuintla and Chimaltenango
Deaths: 65
Wounded: 50+
1.7 Million people affected
653 people sheltered
The number of people who are missing remains unknown.
The number of destroyed homes also remains unknown
What will the funds be used for?
The funds raised will be sent directly to my sisters, Rocksy and Paty, in Guatemala City, where they will personally purchase whatever items are most needed at the time. They have a close relationship with "caritas" in Alotenango, a non-profit organization responsible for updating the list of most needed items. Urgent needs are constantly changing but they include, canned foods, medicine, towels, personal hygiene supplies, water and water. Rescue teams are also asking for donations including boots and face masks. As the volcano is still active, whatever was left behind reaches very high temperatures forcing search and rescue teams to go through boots, uniforms and masks quickly.
Where are the funds going?
The eruptions completely wiped out two already impoverished neighborhoods, Los Lotes and El Rodeo (pictured below), located at the bottom of the volcano. I've included a graphic below for reference. The residents that were able to flee the volcanic fiery flows, lost it all, including their homes and in worse cases, family members. Survivors have been relocated to various shelters in the surrounding areas, away from the volcano. One of the nearby towns is Alotenango.
With recent contributions made to this cause (a HUGE gracias to all who already donated and made this possible), my sisters in Guatemala have already been able to fill a van with items and transported them to the victims sheltered in Alotenango, GT.
Items purchased and donated on 6/5/2018:
Your help is still needed!
Guatemalans have come together and have donated so much already but the need is so huge that we still need your help! Please continue checking back for more updates.
Thank you for your time and donation!!! <3
Help spread the word, share this post.
Please check the updates section of this campaign to stay up to date.
#FUERZAGUATE
#PrayForGuatemala
#GuatemalaSobrevivira
Organizer
Lilian Marie Paniagua Leppe
Organizer
Chicago, IL
