Dear friends:
A great number of Hondurans are living in very difficult moments after the passing of Hurricane Eta. Zones with the highest damage and human loss are those in the Valley of Sula. We’re grateful that many people and organizations have been in solidarity with the Honduran people and are bringing support. Although we are sure that a great crisis is coming in all sectors and without a doubt, health is one of the sectors that we will need to reinforce.
San Jose and the surrounding communities are okay. The damage is geographically located on the roads leading up from El Negrito and El Progreso. There has not yet been an effort by the municipal authorities to repair the roads. To pass from El Progeso up the mountain is quite dangerous at this point. If it doesn’t rain, it’s possible to pass during the day but at night, it would be risky.
In the last two days, people who work and live in the flooded areas of the city have returned to the community and this situation will surely continue in the coming days.
We have water, food, energy and internet for now, and I am in the community to solve the primary health care concerns. The clinic is already supplied with basic medication, but we are scarce on gloves, masks and diabetes/prenatal medication. I have prepared a room with equipment for births in case anyone comes given that it’s not safe to travel to El Negrito or El Progreso at night. Our dentist won’t make it this week due to the roads either.
In general, San Jose is in good shape, especially in relation to other places more affected like El Progreso, La Lima, Choloma, Cortés. We just need to prepare ourselves with the consequences that seem to drag on in the wake of a natural disaster.
Dra. Tania