International Emergency Assistance for Long-term Rainfall Damage in the Republic of Honduras -Delivery of Donated Goods
Emergency relief supplies provided by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) have been delivered to the Republic of Honduras (hereinafter referred to as “Honduras”) in response to long-term rainfall damage in the northern region of the country.
The emergency relief supplies to be provided to Honduras arrived at Ramon Villeda Morales International Airport in San Pedro Sula, northern Honduras, on October 5, and a handover ceremony was held at the regional office of the Permanent Committee on Emergency Preparedness (COPECO) at 12:00 pm on the same day. The ceremony was attended by COPECO Minister Ramon Soto, Gabriela Membreño, Chief Cabinet Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation from the Honduran side, and Ambassador Jun Nakahara and Katsuhiko Shino, Director of the JICA Honduras Office from the Japanese side.
At the handover ceremony, Minister Soto expressed his deep appreciation for Japan’s prompt assistance and stated that the goods would be delivered to the affected areas in the northern region where they were needed. He also spoke of the need for his country to steadily implement disaster preparedness and pre-disaster investment as Japan has done. In response, Ambassador Nakahara expressed his strong sympathy and solidarity with the victims as a country that has experienced many disasters, and stated that Japan would continue to provide assistance to Honduras, mainly in the areas of disaster prevention and climate change countermeasures.
After the handover ceremony, Ambassador Nakahara and Director Shino visited Manuel Bonilla Elementary School, one of the evacuation centers, to inspect the living conditions of the victims, 24 families of which have been staying there for about two weeks. The victims said, “Japan is a reassuring country that always helps Honduras! Gracias Hapon! (Thank you, Japan)”.
In addition to this emergency assistance, JICA plans to support the development of a master plan to strengthen flood control measures in the Valle de Sula metropolitan area in the northern part of the country.
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© Source JICA