The three WSPA teams assessing the impact of Hurricane Jova have reported back a significant level of devastation in the three countries.
In Guatemala, WSPA staff and members of local partner ESAP made up the Disaster Assessment Response Team (DART), assessing 18 communities in the badly-hit districts of Jutiapa and Santa Rosa. Communities here are dependent on agriculture and livestock, which have been decimated by flooding from the hurricane.
Between 40-60% of grazing pastures have been severely impacted, though it is hoped that a series of Public Service Announcements (PSAs) have helped to prevent disease from spreading in the aftermath of the disaster. Announcements were broadcast on local radio warning people about how to limit the spread of infections in their livestock.
In Costa Rica’s most affected area, Guanacaste province, members of our local Veterinary Emergency Response Unit (VERU), together with local animal husbandry officials, visited a total of 20 affected communities. In some areas, up to 60% of livestock were affected by the disaster, whilst up to half of all pastures have been impacted.
We will keep ypu updated you further on the work we will be doing to help the animals in Central America in the upcoming weeks.
