Response to floods in Mexico and island of Hispaniola
We're mobilising staff and resources to assist children and their families.
Monday 5 November 2007
Mexico floods
More than one million people's homes have been flooded, damaged or cut off by the rising waters, following week-long rains that have pushed rivers over their banks in the flood-devastated state of Tabasco on Mexico's southern Gulf coast.
About two-thirds of Tabasco is under water according to the state government, and 300,000 people are still trapped in their homes. More than 300 schools and 100 health centres have been flooded.
Mexican authorities are calling this the worst natural disaster the country has seen.
"We're on the ground and moving quickly to help families survive this crisis," said Matthew Wingate, Save the Children's Emergency Adviser. "Children's lives have been devastated as they've been forced to flee their homes and schools in search of safety."
Island of Hispaniola floods
Devastating floods on the island of Hispaniola, which is shared by the Dominican Republic and Haiti, have left thousands homeless.
Tropical storm Noel has killed 79 people, and 43 are missing, many of them swept away in muddy floodwaters. An estimated 60,000 people have been forced out of their homes.
We're working with authorities to assess the situation in the most affected regions of the south west Dominican Republic.
In Haiti, we're working with the Haitian government's Civil Protection Department and other agencies to assist families near the border with the Dominican Republic and in the south east. We're providing school and infant care kits to families, many of whom were also affected by flooding in September.
What we're doing
We're focusing on providing clean water, food and shelter for children and families who have been displaced.
What you can do
- Support our work by donating online via our secure web pages or call our donation hotline on 0800 8148 148.
