Guatemala City. According to the latest figures released by the National Coordinator for Disasters Reduction, CONRED, the death toll has increased to 174 victims; more than 113 people are still reported missing. 397,808 people where affected and 133,102 are still at risk, 104,639 have suffered damages. 162,857 people have been evacuated, 27,823 people are currently living in 218 shelters. 18,753 houses where slightly damaged, 10,605 houses where moderately damaged and 9,802 suffered severe damages. A total of 39,160 houses where damaged.
Over 1, 283 schools suffered damages from the storm and the volcanic eruption. Over 400 bridges are severely damaged or completely collapsed, the national road system, affected by mudslides, landslides and wash outs is a priority to re-establish the transportation system , especially to be able to transport humanitarian supplies to all the affected communities.
Some roads have been cleaned, others have on lane available. The Ministry of Communication in charge of the infrastructure is working together with private construction companies to rehabilitate the national road system and bridges.
Continued rains and the collapse of bridges and roads have mad the delivery of humanitarian aid to isolated communities very difficult.
There has been a strong effort between the Guatemalan government, Guatemala's private sector Aeroclub, the US government, the government of Honduras and others, to provide helicopters, small airplanes and fuel to be able to airlift the humanitarian supplies to the most isolated areas.
The volcano Pacaya is still active and renewed eruptions have caused lava flows that are closing in on several communities near the volcano.
The temperature of the lava is 200 degrees Celsius, the affected village is Los Pocitos, Villa Canales. The authorities maintain alert level orange for the area affected by the volcano. A new crater was formed after the explosion on May 27, 2010, the sand and ashes affected a radius of over 100 kilometers.
Picture: Press Office President of Guatemala
