Date of Emergency: 22 November 2005

Requesting Partner: ACT Forum Honduras/DanChurchAid/HEKS

Implementing Partner: Mennonite Commission for Social Action (CASM), Community Association of the Aguan, Atlantic Coast, Sico and Paulaya regions (UNICORASS).

Details of the Emergency: On 18 November, the Honduran government declared a "National Emergency" due to Tropical Storm Gamma which had been lashing Honduras for more than one week causing severe flooding and adding to damages caused by Hurricanes Stan and Beta. Official reports indicate that 34 persons died and 13 are missing. 38,009 persons were evacuated and 25,620 of them are in 146 temporary shelters. 3,077 persons have lost almost everything.

The affected areas were the departments of Atlantida, Colon, Gracias a Dios, Cortes, Yoro and Olancho on the Honduran Atlantic coast. An international appeal has been launched by the Honduran government through the national body responsible for emergency response COPECO. They are requesting support with: food , blankets, clothing for children, disposable diapers, cooking utensils, equipment and articles for basic sanitation (potable water, chlorine tablets, plastic pails and buckets for water, portable latrines, and plastic or inflatable water bags). The national authorities have also prioritized the purchase of zinc roof sheeting and reinforced plastic.

Beneficiaries & Location: 1,000 families in the municiplaities of Balfate, Limón, Santa Fe and Santa Rosa de Aguán in the department of Colon on the Atlantic coast of Honduras.

Criteria for Selecting the Beneficiaries:

• Persons located in the selected communities
• Affected persons with extremely low incomes
• Large families with more than five members.
• Female headed households.

• Food rations for 1,000 families (15 days): Corn Flour (12 pounds) Beans (5 pounds), Sardines (3 cans) Rice (15 pounds), vegetables, sugar, coffe , water.

• Hygiene package for 1,000 familes : toilet paper, sanitary towels, toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap and one blanket.

ACTION

The ACT Co-ordinating Office has approved the use of US$ 43,738 towards the budget from its Rapid Response Fund and would be grateful to receive contributions to wholly or partially replenish this payment. As the situation is so serious an appeal may be forthcoming.