On Sunday June 3rd, there was a 4.0 magnitude explosion of the Vulcan de Fuego in Guatemala (bordering the Departments of Guatemala, Chimaltenango, Sacatepequez and, Esquintla.) This explosion that occurred on a lazy Sunday afternoon where most families were home, spewed out boiling lava onto the villages and communities around the volcano and destroyed schools, houses, roads, bridges and highways. Among the most affected came from the municipalities of Esquintla, Alotenango, and San Pedro Yepocapa, which were drowned by the lava and the volcanic pyroclastic flow. Most of the people ignored the government advisory to evacuate the area as no one expected the eruption to be as catastrophic as it had been.
Based on government records, here are some statistics gathered pertaining to the Vulcan de Fuego explosion on June 3rd:
- 1.7 million people affected
- 300 people dead
- 2,000 people missing (minimum approximate)
- 3,644 registered people in temporary shelters
- 12,800 displaced and evacuated
The most common diseases that have been treated by the doctors so far are the following:
- Bronchial disease
- Asthma
- Dermatological diseases, skin infections
- Parasites
- Vitamin insufficiency
- Emotional distress and anxiety disorders
- Musculoskeletal pain
- Hypertension
- Cardiac disease
- Vaginal infections
Hosted by Fundacion Amancio Samuel Villatoro (FASV) and coordinated with the Registered Nurse Response Network (RNRN) of the National Nurses United, FAHWA and the New York Recovery Network will join the medical team consisting of 15-18 RNs and/or nurse practitioners with pediatric, psychiatric and adult general medicine experience to conduct a medical mission on October 25-30 to provide free medical service to the victims of the volcanic eruptions of Vulcan de Fuego in Guatemala. The RNs will work with physicians belonging to the Cuban Medical Brigade.
The anticipated schedule would be as follows:
- 25 Oct Arrival in Guatemala City, orientation meeting/dinner
- 26 Oct Clinic from 9am to 12pm, 1-4pm (6.0 hours)
- 27 Oct Clinic from 9am to 12pm, 1-4pm (6.0 hours)
- 28 Oct Clinic from 9am to 12pm, 1-4pm (6.0 hours)
- 29 Oct Rest day/Tour of Guatemala City/Antigua
- 30 Oct Departure from Guatemala City
There would be approximately 20 other volunteers from community organizations, healthcare unions, indigenous communities and solidarity allies who would be helping out in all aspects of the medical mission. The ground work to organize and conduct community outreach will start as early as August. We believe that effective grassroots outreach in the communities is the best way to ensure maximum participation of the community in the medical mission.
To support this medical mission, you can make a tax-deductible donation HERE or donate to our fundraising raffle and get a chance to win iPad mini4.
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