Clean up time in Gautemala
The storm known as Agatha has passed and the Pacaya volcano is quiet. The streets of Guatemala City are gradually being swept free of the black sand and grit that covered every calle and avenida. The death toll from both events has reached three figures, with many unaccounted for. Landslides and flooding swept away houses, shanties and lives: this will take a while to recover from, regardless of the best wishes and intentions of national rescue and relief organizations. Unfortunately, it's just another disaster in Central America, of which memories will fade within a few days. The world has more important things to be concerned with and the news cycle needs new disasters to cover.
Tell that to the small coffee farmer who's lost his crop, house and everything else. Tell that to the family who built their home out of recycled wood, cardboard and sheets of plastic, which now are being used as shrouds for their four children, swept away in the night. The ricos of the City can have their SUV's run through the car wash and enjoy a Sunday afternoon meal with their friends and family, while the parking attendants sweep away any traces of this latest disaster. Out of sight, out of mind...some, less unfortunate, will not be eating. The shelters only hold so many and the food supply is finite. All they want is a dry place to sleep and a hot meal: all they have are the memories of what they had last week ...where do you go, when you've lost everything, even your children?
