The United States will be devoting $17 million in humanitarian relief for the countries affected by Hurricanes Iota and Eta, storms that both reached Category 4 strength.
Approximately 40 people died from Iota, and over 130 were reportedly killed from Eta, according to ABC News. Dozen were reported missing due to mudslides and floods. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced the aid via Twitter on Saturday.
“Our prayers are with the people of Central America and Colombia suffering from the impacts of Hurricanes Iota and Eta. The people of the U.S. are behind you,” Pompeo wrote. “We are mobilizing U.S. military rescue craft and $17 million in humanitarian aid to assist and help save lives.
Our prayers are with the people of Central America and Colombia suffering from the impacts of Hurricanes Iota and Eta. The people of the U.S. are behind you. We are mobilizing U.S. military rescue craft and $17 million in humanitarian aid to assist and help save lives. pic.twitter.com/okzddA39hA
— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) November 21, 2020
On Friday, Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez gave a press conference asking for international assistance in response to the storms. “We are in a situation of great calamity, and we need the world to help us rebuild our country,” Hernandez said.
The same day, the Defense Department tweeted a video showing airmen packing nine pallets of rice weighing over 90,000 pounds to deliver to Honduras.
Humanitarian mission: Airmen packed nine pallets containing 90,000 lbs. of food onto a C-17 Globemaster III to assist the people of Honduras. The island has been recently hit hard by hurricanes. #KnowYourMil pic.twitter.com/P2hZspneJA
— Department of Defense ?? (@DeptofDefense) November 20, 2020
The International Red Cross, which is coordinating efforts to help provide relief to countries in Central America, estimates “more than 2.5 million people from Panama to Belize were affected in some way by Eta, although the impacts are most severe in Honduras, Nicaragua, and Guatemala.”
“Families are facing back-to-back tragedy after being devastated by a powerful storm just last week. Tens of thousands have already lost so much and are once again facing uncertainty,” said Jenelle Eli, global spokesperson for the American Red Cross. “Teams are pre-positioning aid and mobilizing volunteers to support people across Central America impacted by seemingly never-ending storms.”
