If you have ever been to Antigua for any length of time, most likely you have heard of Hugo Suarez, of Expeditions Guatemala. Having been dubbed the “unoffical mayor” of Antigua, he has been using all of his considerable energies to help those affected by the volcano and storm.
If you are interested in helping Hugo’s rescue efforts, the U.S. non-profit Finding Freedom is accepting tax-deductible donations on his behalf. In addition to aiding relief efforts, Finding Freedom will thank you for a donation of $25 or more with a lovely gift.
June 3, 2010, from Hugo: “I just want to give you an idea of what we did yesterday and today. We headed out of Antigua this morning with two truckloads of supplies for the people living in the shadow of the Pacaya volcano. Our goal was to try and get some basic supplies to areas that have not received any assistance. Our supplies consisted of heavy plastic sheeting (to repair roofs), water filters, corn flour, toilet paper and diapers. Local leaders had been asking for these to address basic shelter, food and sanitation needs.
The road into this area was difficult even for our 4×4 trucks, with boulders, mud and giant tree limbs all about us. As we approached the area, the impact of the volcanic eruption became increasingly evident. Initially we saw roofs that had collapsed from the weight of the ash and rain. Then we started to see roofs that still stood, but the reason was that they had been filled with thousands of holes from the flaming volcanic rocks that fell from the sky…click here to read the rest of Hugo’s update.
May 31, 2010, from Hugo: “Thanks so much for your words. I have been helping many of those kids that sell sticks [note: Hugo refers to the children who used to earn money by selling walking sticks to tourists climbing Pacaya - clearly their income stream has been interrupted]. The situation got a little bit worst with all the rain in the last days and me and some friends that were helping there got stuck in the village where the shelter is, we had to spend the night there, there were so many mudslides and bridges taken away that we spent the night at SanVicente Pacaya. I am back in my house, safe but tired. We were giving them: clothes,bread, water, soups, etc. And YES you can forward my email, we just need to give these people alittle bit more. Un fuerte abrazo, Hugo.”
May 29, 2010: “Excuse the shortness of this note, but I have been busy responding to the crisis on Pacaya Volcano. As many of you know, this eruption has been on the scale that many have predicted for some time now. I was in Guatemala City when I first heard the news. A call came in from Mono, a fellow local guide, suggesting I respond to the scene immediately.
He was personally involved with taking a group of journalists/photographers that evening up to the edge of the caldera for some photo opportunities. As time passed, they found themselves in an unsafe situation and quickly retreated to a safer location. One journalist was fatally wounded that night. I was called to assist with the search and rescue efforts. Unfortunately for 2 small villages – their warning was minimal. They had barely enough time to vacate their houses – taking only the clothes on their backs. The village I typically park at no longer exists, in its current state.
All the roofs in the pueblo have collapsed under the weight of the wet, heavy ash and stones– and the farms and horses are – for no better word “History”. I am haunted by the sight of the place – and will be for some time I’m sure!
To be fair, the Government understands the urgency of this crisis – and has mandated some funds for the victims of this relief effort. Maybe you have read in the papers or seen on TV, that as a precautionary measure the government has closed the Airport and schools in the surrounding regions for an undetermined timeframe -both prudent
measures given the volatility of the volcano. It continues to rumble and is exhibiting characteristics which suggest continual unrest. I was at the site from 7pm until 5am helping and taking injured families to a safe area, we made so many drives from those communities to a shelter in San Vicente Pacaya. At one point we had 18 people in my 4×4.
Yesterday we were delivering food and assisting in the rescue efforts of some missing villagers and found the situation too uncertain to continue. Today we are about to leave with the Land cruiser loaded of food and clothes. It rained all night long and is still raining but that will not stop us from bringing them some help and hope.
It is a dangerous, sad scene. Some family members have stayed behind to protect from the ” bandidos” what few belongings they have left. These people have no wood for cooking fires and of course no food or water. My hope is to
bring some relief in the form of food and water to the many people who won’t seek help. Those that are either too proud or who are too remote to access.
And so I turn to you all. I have the time, interest and energy to get these people what they desperately need. I ask if you could make any monetary donations – large or small – I will do my part to assure they get 100% of the relief they deserve. Every little bit will help. As a reference point, I figure just 25$ could comfortably feed a family for 5 days. I ask that if you are interested and/or in a position to contribute – you donate to me via the instructions in the introduction, above.
In doing so, I hope you know that though we may live in different countries, live different lives and be religions apart – we all share the common thread of needing each other! I thank you in advance for your consideration of this request.
May peace, safety, happiness and blessings be with you, Hugo Suarez.”
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