The Rigoberta Menchu Tum Foundation

Last weekend different regions of Guatemala were severely affected by two natural phenomena: the eruption of Pacaya volcano and tropical storm Agatha. The first event caused deaths and injuries leaving hundreds of families suffering damages in the central region of Guatemala. The second was even more severe, leaving tragic results concerning human loss (so far more than one hundred deaths, amongst them boys, girls, men and women) many disappeared and injured due to the mudslides and flooding. Approximately the amount of victims adds up to thirty four thousand. Also, there is loss of thousands of homes and severe damage to social and road infrastructure in eleven departments of the country.

The most affected departments are: Chimaltenango, Sololá, San Marcos, Suchitepéquez, Huehuetenango, Quetzaltenango, Retalhuleu, Jutiapa, Totonicapán, El Quiché, Izabal and Guatemala city. The department of Sololá is once again one of the most affected by the storm and from it, the most affected towns are San Lucas Tolimán, Sololá (department capital), Santa Catarina and San Antonio Palopó.

Since some years ago, the Rigoberta Menchú Tum Foundation, has focused its work in the department of Sololá from the Pavarotti Educational Center whose headquarters are located in San Lucas Tolimán and Panajachel, covering the most affected towns in the area today. The Education Center in San Lucas Tolimán is currently being used as a shelter to more than 150 people.

Today we are reaching out to our friends, solidary men and women to channel urgent help through our Foundation to the victims of San Lucas Tolimán and Santa Catarina Palopó.

If you would liek to reach out, your help is welcome in the form of food: instant soups, corn startch, canned beans, sugar, coffee, oil; medicine: oral serum, acetaminophen, cotton, alcohol, gauze; personal hygiene products: toilet paper, disposable diapers, female pads, bleach, detergent, hand soap; clothing: towels, children clothes (for girls, preferably indigenous skits), blankets, comforters, sponges or mattresses.

At the same time, you can also provide financial aid by depositing in the checking account 027-141666-8 under the name of Fundación Rigoberta Menchú Tum of Banco Industrial. To our friends outside of Guatemala, attached you will find bank data for your transfers using dollars. Further actions will be advised in a timely manner.

Thank you for your support and let us remember that we cannot be without one an other.

Premio Nobel de la Paz 1,992