November 23, 2020
*This article was written after Hurricane Iota reached Honduras on November 17. You can find information about the earlier Hurricane Eta's impact here.
In response to Hurricanes Eta and Iota's devastating impact on Central America, ASJ is partnering with groups across Honduras in relief and recovery.
Two weeks after Hurricane Eta, Hurricane Iota also left devastating impacts across Honduras and Central America (Photos from AP)
Today, Honduras weighs heavy on our hearts. Just 13 days after Hurricane Eta, a second devastating storm hit Honduras and other Central American countries this week. This storm, Hurricane Iota, has again flooded communities and fields, taken lives, and forced many Hondurans to relocate to shelters.
The combined impact of these hurricanes on Honduras is devastating—socially, emotionally, and economically. They directly impacted over 3 million Hondurans and caused over $5 billion in damages (about 20% of Honduras’ GDP). My head can hardly wrap itself around these numbers and my heart is aching for those who lost their lives, homes, livelihoods, schools, and health clinics in the midst of a global pandemic.
The combined impact of these hurricanes on Honduras is devastating—socially, emotionally, and economically.
Honduras is in for years of recovery and ASJ (formerly known as AJS) is committed to helping the country rebuild by doing what we do well—working toward a more just society. Specifically, ASJ will be equipping other nonprofits in sexual abuse prevention, promoting access to education when many schools are now shelters, and monitoring national purchases for transparency.
Additionally, our investigative journalists are sharing
impacted families' stories and calling attention to how national decisions and systems affect their lives. (You can read one of their stories here—English translation available through the Google Translate button).
So many of you have responded to support Honduras in this time and we thank you for your deep care and generosity.
This is giving me hope amidst a difficult time. What also gives me hope is seeing how many Hondurans, especially teenagers and young adults, are mobilizing to show love to their neighbors. ASJ staff member Alejandra is one such example and she shares a message below.
Alejandra Vargas, one of our staff in Honduras, shares a message about the impact of Hurricanes Eta and Iota. She is one of the many young adults that have stepped up to coordinate relief efforts for fellow Hondurans.
Thank you for standing in solidarity—we will continue to keep you updated. While we know that the months ahead provide an important opportunity to advance justice and fearless love, that doesn’t change the fact that our hearts are heavy in this moment. This is a crucial season for ASJ and Honduras and we would love for you to come alongside us. Will you give a gift to support our long-term work of rebuilding Honduras?
