More than 1,500 people have died and another 1,000 are missing in Guatemala in the aftermath of the flooding and mudslides that ravaged a large area of countryside in early October.

As many as 200,000 homes were destroyed or heavily damaged from the weeklong heavy rains after Hurricane Stan came ashore on Oct. 4 in Central America. More than 120,000 Guatemalans are being housed in schools, churches, and other buildings that have been converted into shelters. Guatemalan officials estimated it could be several months before the displaced people will have permanent homes again.

UUSC is monitoring the situation in Guatemala though our partner organizations, with whom we have long-standing relationships. Our partners report that as of Oct. 15, 60 communities affected by the disaster still had not been reached because roads were washed out.

In a hurricane season with an extraordinary number of storms that have caused widespread death and suffering, the impact of Hurricane Stan on several Central American countries has received relatively little coverage in the mainstream media. Reports from our partner and colleague organizations working in Guatemala, however, say that Hurricane Stan and its aftermath have had a devastating impact on thousands of villagers throughout the western and central highlands.

"The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee has a long history of working to promote human rights and social justice in Guatemala, and we are deeply distressed by the death and destruction caused by Hurricane Stan and the massive mudslides," said Martha Thompson, manager of UUSC’s Rights in Humanitarian Crises Program.

"Many of our members and supporters have told us they would like to help the Guatemalan survivors by contributing through an organization with UU values. We welcome all donations, and we will channel all funds received through our partner organizations in Guatemala to make sure that humanitarian aid reaches those who are most in need," she said.

Donations to the UUSC Guatemala Relief Fund can be made online, or by mail to:

UUSC Guatemala Relief Fund
P.O. Box 845259
Boston, MA 02284-5259

How donations for relief are being used.