Following the recent devastation caused by Tropical Storm Agatha that brought widespread flooding and landslides across Honduras and other parts of Central America, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) provided assistance to some of the most affected communities.

Answering the call for assistance by the Honduran government, ADRA worked in coordination with the nation’s Permanent Commission on Contingencies (COPECO) to transport and distribute basic hygiene kits to 750 families, or 3,750 beneficiaries. ADRA also consulted with other aid organizations working in the region to determine delivery sites based on needs.

Tropical Strom Agatha, the first storm of the 2010 Pacific hurricane season and the deadliest tropical cyclone in the eastern Pacific since 1997, killed nearly 200 people and damaged bridges, homes, potable water supplies and electrical lines, according to authorities. As a result of the heavy rains, large agricultural areas were affected, particularly in the departments of Francisco Morazán, Choluteca, Valle, Comayagua and Cortes.

In the Department of Choluteca alone, more than 1,750 families were affected by the rise of the Choluteca River. Many families were evacuated from the area to temporary shelters established by the Honduran government. An initial needs assessment revealed that a sanitary risk exists due to pollution of water wells in the area.

ADRA International, ADRA Honduras, and ADRA’s regional office for Central America and the Caribbean funded this initial response.

ADRA has been active in Honduras since 1998, working primarily in the areas of infrastructure, health care, economic development, food security, emergency management, and education.

ADRA is a non-governmental organization present in 125 countries providing sustainable community development and disaster relief without regard to political or religious association, age, gender, race or ethnicity.