Tropical Storm Matthew…just the tip of the iceberg

For the past few months Nicaragua has been hit hard by torrential rains.  Most recently Tropical Storm Matthew hit Nicaragua forcing over 10,000 people to evacuate their homes and communities. The majority of the affected people are from the North Atlantic Autonomous Region, the “poorest” region of Nicaragua (where our Siuna site is located).   Yet, even in more urban communities including Masaya and Guanacastillo, families have had their homes flooded.

In addition, the areas around Lake Nicaragua and Lake Managua have been flooded putting in danger all those who live near the banks of the lakes.To date at least 51 people have died from drowning, and 7 thousand have been evalucated to shelters(source: Nuevo Diario Newspaper, September 29, 2010). 

But much more than a single storm, over the past years Nicaragua has being experiencing with more and more frequency,  periods of extraordinarily heavy rains coupled by severe droughts.   Of Nicaragua’s small population of 6 million, over 1 million people have been affected by these heavy rains and droughts.  In this year alone farming families have lost up to 56% of their harvests due to irregular weather patterns (simas.org).  For our Nicaraguan friends and their families this has meant shortage of food and water, loss of incomes and flooding of their homes.   

In the face of such large scale problems it is difficult to answer the question we are all asking:  “What can we do to help?”  

Here in Nicaragua…we will continue with our sustainable agriculture, reforestation, potable water, and safe housing programs to prevent and protect against such disasters.  In response to immediate needs of shelter and food,  the national government, army and natural disaster institutions are managing the situation well.   In addition, the Nicaraguan government made a commitment with 181 other countries (through the signing of  the Kyoto protocol)  to comply with international environmental regulations and reduce greenhouse emissions.

In North America…  Believe it or not the core of the solution comes from changes we make in our home country.  Did you know that the United States , which represents only 4.6% of the global population, produces 36% of the worlds green house emissions?   This fact alone tells us that simple changes in our own lives, like buying locally, using renewable energy in our homes and businesses, driving and flying less, can impact families all the way in Nicaragua.   Did you know that the United States is the also the only country in the world that has not agreed to abide by international environmental standards under the Kyoto Protocol? If you support the commitment that the Nicaraguans made to combating climate change, and think that we should do the same,  than push for our government and companies to comply with international environmental standards as well.

Thanks to you all for your concern and support!

Miranda

photo from www.elnuevodiario.com.ni