The situation in Guatemala

I don't usually make posts like this, but I have a special connection to the location of the latest events of natural disasters.

For those of you who don't know, in Guatemala, the volcano Pacaya (the one I climbed last summer) erupted. It sent ash all over Guatemala city. Soon after this, there was a tropical storm, Agatha, which, in two days,
dropped between 20 and 30 inches of rain accompanied by very heavy
winds.  At this point
the number of casualties is unknown as many communities are cut off
from communication as bridges are out, there are landslides blocking
the roads and there is no electricity in many places. Entire villages got washed away, and at least 160 people are dead.

From a friend who sent me an email on May 31, " According to this morning's paper there are "at least" 83 dead, 53
reported missing and 29,000 evacuated to shelters.  The "bomberos"
(firemen) are today looking for an unknown number who have disappeared
so it is highly probably that those numbers will rise substantially."

There are a few ways you can help. http://www.vamosadelante.org/

you can donate money to send to an organization there. Also, sending money and clothes and items helps a lot too. Mom and I are bringing down things to help people when we go this summer. Even things like toothpaste and toothbrushes can help a lot. I know that people made help_haiti  and help_chile  communities, maybe someone can make a help_guatemala one. I might even make one myself if I can get help.

My thoughts and prayers are sent towards those in Guatemala.

You can view more pictures here: http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2010/06/a_rough_week_for_guatemala.html

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