Assistance to Floods Victims - Western Region

Appeal Target: US$ 306,444

Torrential rains hit the Pacific Western Region of Nicaragua from 10 to 15 October 2007, reaching 15,620 millimeters per square meter in some areas, far above the season average norm of 350 millimeters. The rains caused the rise and overflow of rivers in several districts. On 14 October 2007, a red alert was declared in the department of Chinandega where nine of the 13 municipalities suffered damages. Close to 3,600 people were affected, among which 2,119 hat to be evacuated to temporary housing.

The ACT Nicaragua Forum immediately responded through its members organizations: ACT members  Interchurch Centre for Theological and Social Studies (CIEETS), Council of Evangelical Churches (CEPAD), the Nicaraguan Lutheran Church of Faith and Hope (ILFE) and the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) carried out joint damages and needs assessments in the municipality of Villa Nueva, Chinandega.

Villa Nueva, located 186 km from Managua with a population of 31,000, reported the loss of 1016.4 hectares of crops (corn, sorghum, sesame, and plantains) and domestic animal (cows, horses, barnyard birds and pigs). Infrastructure damages include 176 homes, 397 latrines, and the contamination of 120 wells, leaving the families without access to water. Food access has been hampered by difficult road condition. This, and the excessive moisture caused by the rains, result in deplorable health conditions for the affected population. Mosquitoes are proliferating, threatening to increase malaria. Vulnerable groups present respiratory illnesses.

ACT members plan to extend support to the affected population in Villanueva with immediate food relief and medical assistance to 624 families, psychological assistance and community tool kits to repair roads in 15 communities. After completion of these activities,  ACT members propose to support the population with rehabilitation, including agriculture for 897 families, the construction of 60 fertiliser-producing latrines, and capacity strengthening to include disaster prevention in future activities.

The appeal will be implemented by the four ACT member organizations. ILFE will be in charge of coordinating the implementation of the appeal, monitoring and reporting to the ACT CO. The members have signed a memorandum of understanding to ensure correct, effective and transparent operations with the appeal implementation.

Project Completion Date: 16 August 2008

Reporting schedule:

Interim narrative & financial: 30 April 2008
Final narrative & financial: 16 October 2008
Audit: 16 November 2008

Signed by:
John Nduna
Director, ACT Co-ordinating Office