Most Recent Disaster Declaration:
Tropical Storm, 05-29-08
On May 29, a tropical depression gained strength and made landfall as Tropical Storm Alma over the southern Pacific coast of Nicaragua, affecting Rivas, Carazo, Managua, León, and Chinandega departments. When the storm made landfall, winds of approximately 75 miles per hour caused flooding, damaged houses and other buildings, and destroyed two bridges on a major thoroughfare in Managua, and downed trees have blocked roads in Chinandega and León departments. On May 29, the Government of Nicaragua's national disaster management agency estimated that at least 25,000 people had evacuated from coastal areas of the country.
On May 29, U.S. Ambassador Paul A. Trivelli declared a disaster due to the effects of Tropical Storm Alma. In response, USAID/OFDA provided $50,000 for emergency shelter assistance for affected populations. A three-person USAID/OFDA humanitarian assessment team arrived in Nicaragua on May 30 to evaluate damages and corresponding humanitarian needs in affected areas.
Additional Disaster Declaration:
Floods, 10-19-2007
Since October 9, ongoing heavy rainfall caused severe flooding in more than 170 communities in nine departments, including Chinandega, Estelí, Jinotega, León, and Matagalpa in northwestern Nicaragua. Initial reports indicated that the floods resulted in the deaths of at least eight people, affected approximately 20,000 others, caused severe damage to the agricultural sector in some areas, and damaged roads, bridges, and houses, including 270 houses in Matagalpa Department alone. At the height of the emergency, more than 6,000 persons evacuated flood- and landslide-prone areas and relocated to 76 temporary shelters, including 33 shelters in Chinandega and Matagalpa departments. On October 19, U.S. Ambassador Paul A. Trivelli declared a disaster due to the effects of the floods. In response, USAID/OFDA provided $50,000 to humanitarian organizations for the local purchase and transport of emergency relief supplies.
Additional Disaster Declaration:
Hurricane, 09-05-2007
On September 4, Hurricane Felix struck the Atlantic coast
of Nicaragua as a category five storm on the Saffir-Simpson
scale. The hurricane killed at least 18 people, according
to the Government of Nicaragua (GON). Preliminary reports
from the National System for Disaster Prevention, Mitigation,
and Assistance in Nicaragua indicated that the hurricane
affected more than 6,000 families. According to the U.S.
Embassy in Managua, the storm damaged approximately 90 percent
of houses in Puerto Cabezas, located on the northeastern
coast of the country. On September 4, the GON declared a
state of disaster due to the effects of Hurricane Felix in
the North Atlantic Autonomous Region.
On September 5, U.S. Ambassador Paul A. Trivelli declared a disaster due to
the effects of the hurricane. In response, USAID/OFDA provided $150,000 through
USAID/Nicaragua to support the local procurement and transport of emergency
relief items to affected areas. In anticipation of Hurricane Felix’s
impact, USAID/OFDA provided $25,000 in preparedness assistance to the Nicaraguan
Red Cross. Prior to the beginning of hurricane season, USAID/OFDA prepositioned
relief supplies, including hygiene kits and kitchen sets, valued at approximately
$45,000. On September 4 and 5, a 10-person USAID assessment team arrived in
Managua to coordinate hurricane response activities with U.N. agencies, the
U.S. Department of Defense, GON authorities, and non-governmental organizations.
For information on USAID's hurricane recovery and reconstruction programs, please see here.
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