Guatemala flooding

October 12, 2005 7:37 AM

DisasterFilter: 1250 dead, hundreds of thousands homeless.Though it pales in comparison to the death toll in Pakistan, and though it’s not as close (or visible) as the damage done by Rita and Katrina, the devastation due to Hurricane Stan has been, well, devastating in rural Guatemala, especially around Lake Atitlan.
posted by MrMoonPie (10 comments total)

Want to lend a hand? Of course, the Red Cross is always an option, but if you want to give something more directly, I know these folks, and know they will use the funds wisely (and will supplement them generously).
posted by MrMoonPie at 7:41 AM on October 12, 2005

Can Mother Nature stop with beating up on impoverished areas? I guess next on the agenda is volcanic lava rolling through the shantytowns of Sao Paulo, sparing the affluent gated communities.
posted by rolypolyman at 9:34 AM on October 12, 2005

Donations may also be made online to LakeNet (specify PRO LAGO GUATEMALAN RELIEF).
posted by MrMoonPie at 11:26 AM on October 12, 2005

Losing everything when you're rich is about the same losing everything when you're poor, isn't it? I guess it would help to have insurance and money in the bank, though perhaps you'd still have no job.
posted by orange swan at 11:27 AM on October 12, 2005

Insurance money, money in the bank, and no job? Sign me up.
posted by gunthersghost at 12:51 PM on October 12, 2005

Guatewhere? 1250 people dead? That's just not enough anymore to get Anderson Cooper et al or anybody else for that matter of the couch. Plus no model having lost her boyfriend in sight... well, maybe her gardener's grandmother, but that's really not that interesting.
posted by threehundredandsixty at 1:03 PM on October 12, 2005

In before "They were dumb to build their homes there."
posted by darukaru at 1:52 PM on October 12, 2005

I was born in Guatemala in '53 (left in '56) and returned to visit in '93.

When we went back, the locals were referring to Panajachel as "Gringotenango" in deference to all the expatriate folks from up north who decided to move in since the '60s. Atitlan is truly one of the most beautiful places on earth.

Thanks, MrMoonPie, for the link to panajachel.net. This is a good cause, people.
posted by Pressed Rat at 2:05 PM on October 12, 2005

I spent several weeks in "Gringotenango" which would be a pretty cool place were it not for all the junkies selling each other woven bracelets and stuff.

The surrounding area, though was absolutely fantastic. Guatemala is an incredible country.
posted by leftcoastbob at 2:40 PM on October 12, 2005

... and I forgot: thank you, Mr. Moonpie for putting this up here, including the help links!
posted by threehundredandsixty at 4:02 PM on October 12, 2005