Nearly 200 people were killed and tens of thousands have been evacuated from their homes as Tropical Storm Agatha slammed into Central America this week, triggering landslides and flooding across the region.

The governments in Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras have all declared a state of emergency as heavy rains caused rivers to break their banks, washing away homes, roads and bridges.

In Guatemala, CARE is providing food, basic medicine and emergency supplies to shelters housing families who were forced to evacuate from their homes.

Guatemala was already suffering the effects of the explosion of the Pacaya volcano last week, which rained ash and rocks onto nearby villages, destroying homes and crops.

In addition to immediate emergency relief, CARE plans to help affected communities repair or rebuild damaged infrastructure such as water and sanitation systems.

CARE has operated in Guatemala since 1959 and has developed an extensive working relationship with agencies in the public and private sectors.

CARE operates projects in water and sanitation, agriculture, agroforestry, primary health care, population, girls’ education and small economic activity development.

Please donate to our Rapid Response Fund and help us be prepared for when disasters strike.