"So our great reconstruction challenge is to restore the balance and harmony.  And we are facing that challenge at a moment in which we are all in mourning, all crying, we still haven't found some of our people...We have to use all our energy to rebuild and help people shake off that feeling of emptiness and loss currently reigning in our communities."
Alta Hooker, President of the University of the Autonomous Regions of Nicaragua's Caribbean Coast

Since September, Nicaragua has faced back-to-back catastrophes; Hurricane Felix devastated the Northern Atlantic Coast, followed by two tropical depressions, which unleashed massive flooding on the Pacific Coast.  Thanks to the rapid and generous response of Quest donors, our partners in Nicaragua at the Institute John XXIII have been able to respond to both disasters. 

As the people of the Northern Atlantic Autonomous Region (RAAN) struggle to recover from the massive damage to their communities, crops and the natural environment to which they are intimately connected, the Institute has been in conversation with partners in the region to best understand how to make a contribution to local recovery efforts.

Based on careful consultation, the Institute has begun working with nine communities in the municipality of Waspam.  Thanks to the disaster relief resources received to date, the Institute has been able to commit to the construction of 211 houses and latrines in the communities of La Pinera, Santa Rosa, Tea Kiamp, Mospam and Awastigni.  However, additional resources are needed in order to respond to the other four communities that have been prioritized.

A work team has been organized in coordination with a Pana-Pana, a local organization, the Sisters of Santa Inez, a medical doctor with years of experience in the zone and other volunteers.  Last week, Institute staff traveled to Waspam to meet with the communities and initiate reconstruction efforts. Lumber salvaged from fallen trees was cut for the first two model houses, which will serve as a training site for the communities.  The communities will provide salvaged lumber for the new housing and other construction material and supplies will be provided through the disaster relief funds.

Funds were also provided to Accion Medica Cristiana to support their life-giving work with communities in the RAAN. 

On the Pacific Coast, aid received from the Quest was used to provide support to six municipalities: Villa Nueva, El Bonete, Jicaral, Santa Rosa, Limay and Cusmapa. Assistance included the provision of medicine to treat leptospirosis, seeds for reactivating production, food for flood victims in shelters, repair of water and sanitation systems, black plastic sheeting to temporarily replace collapsed roofs and construction materials to repair damages homes and roads. 

The impacts of these disasters will continue to be felt in the months ahead as food shortages from crops loss and ecological damage become more critical during the long dry season ahead.  We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates on recovery efforts.  We thank you for your solidarity with the Nicaraguan people as they struggle to rebuild and to "restore the balance and harmony".