Save the Children Canada

Published purpose

1 November 2011 - Since the first week of October, large parts of Central America have experienced torrential rains, leading to severe flooding and landslides in several countries. In Nicaragua, the flooding has affected approximately 133,000 people in 13 of 15 departments, lead to 16 deaths, and displaced more than 10,000 people into 102 emergency shelters across the country. In addition, health officials have reported an increased prevalence of acute respiratory infections and waterborne diseases, while government authorities indicate that there has been substantial damage to the water, health and sanitation infrastructure in affected areas. With CIDA support, Save the Children Canada aims to work to meet the health, water and sanitation needs of flood-affected families in the regions of Leon and Matagalpa in Nicaragua. These regions, which border one another, have been identified as two of the most heavily affected areas in the country. Specific activities include: the provision of medical and logistical support to community health centres in the affected areas; the monitoring and surveillance of infectious disease outbreaks in partnership with local authorities; the cleaning and rehabilitation of community water infrastructure systems; and, the distribution of hygiene and sanitation promotion and training activities in affected schools, health centres and shelters.