First the COVID-19 pandemic, then last month hurricanes ETA and IOTA put 4,000+ people at nutritional risk in Children Believe’s Nicaragua program areas. We’ve been working to support 600 families through diverted funds, and now we’re grateful Convoy of Hope — a U.S.-based organization — is donating nearly 15,600 bags of fortified rice with soy to help our efforts.`
“Convoy of Hope has a mission to feed the world. It has been fundamental for us to give a quick and timely response to the disasters caused by ETA and IOTA, and in this way we are fulfilling our call to serve the community,” said Dr. Osmani Altamirano, national director of Convoy of Hope for Nicaragua.
It’s another important partnership. “Children Believe has joined forces with different institutions, local and international organizations and various donors to bring relief to children and their families affected by COVID-19 pandemic as well as hurricanes ETA and IOTA. Today, we join with Convoy of Hope, and together we seek the well-being of children and their families,” said Maria Isabel Lopez, country director of Children Believe in Nicaragua.
Support is needed after an overflow from the Bocay River caused flooding in San José de bocay. Heavy rains also caused flooding in the city of Estelí, where Children Believe operates one of its biggest programs, supporting more than 2,000 sponsored children.
“I was very afraid for my life and my three-year-old son. We couldn’t get out anywhere, because the creek was full of water, the sewer overflowed and, to top it all off, my patio was full of water,” said Claribel Carazo, a victim of the flooding in Estelí.
The donation made by Convoy of Hope will benefit 380 of the most in need families — or about 1,900 vulnerable people — from San José de bocay and Estelí.