The two large hurricanes that struck Central America have devastated parts of Honduras, as Crystal wrote about last week. The most damaging effect in La Mosquitia was the total loss of crops.
The Miskito people who live in that area are an indigenous people group. The grow almost everything they eat, primarily rice and beans. These two storms have essentially ruined a full year’s food supply for the region.
Because of the remoteness and for a variety of logistical, social and cultural reasons, humanitarian aid often does not make it to that part of the country. After a great tragedy like this one, millions of dollars in aid and supplies will flood into Honduras. Very little of it will be distributed among the Miskito people. This is one reason why Missionary Air Group works in that area.
MAG has two priorities at the moment.
- Deliver food (immediate need)
- Help re-establish the lost crops (longer-term recovery)
MAG has been partnering with partner ministry organizations to help in these areas. Two weeks ago, Agape Flights (based in Venice, FL) flew a large load of relief food packages into the country.
Once the supplies were in country and through customs, AGAPE (based in Guatemala City) and Mission Aviation Fellowship (based in Nampa, ID) worked together with our staff to distribute the food to villages in La Mosquitia.
Some of the parcels were further distributed by boat to villages that were not accessible by airplane.
During the flooding, some families who were displaced from their houses used the Rus Rus Hospital as a temporary shelter.
In total, 1.5 tons of food were distributed in this round. We could not have accomplished this work without the help of our ministry partners and the many donors who contribute to Missionary Air Group, Agape Flights, Mission Aviation Fellowship, AGAPE, and others.
The need in La Mosquitia and other parts of Honduras is still great. Missionary Air Group is making arrangements to assist local families with the purchase of seed to re-establish their lost food supply. There will likely be more food distribution needed as well. If you would like to contribute to this project, your donations can be sent to Missionary Air Group. Select the fund “Hurricane Eta Relief Honduras 2020” to be join with us in “bringing Help and Hope” to the hungry of Honduras.
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