Estimated $2 Billion Needed to Rebuild RAAN -

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has asked for more than $2 billion (nearly one-and-a-half times Nicaragua’s national budget) to cover the immediate needs of children and women affected by Hurricane Felix, which ripped through the northern Caribbean coast of Nicaragua Sept. 4, killing more than 100 people, leaving more than 10,000 homeless and affecting half of the region’s population of 300,000.

In addition to the human toll, the categoryfive hurricane destroyed most of the infrastructure and crops in the region, creating a serious humanitarian crisis.

National and international relief has been pouring into the country since the tragedy. In addition to UNICEF’s call for help, the World Food Programme has issued an appeal for $17 million, Venezuela has committed $5 million, the United States $1 million, and the U.S. Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) signed a $10 million accord with Bancentro to offer loans to coastal residents to rebuild their homes. Other important monetary aid, as well as food and clothing, has come in from other countries in Latin America and Europe.

A Sept. 12 telethon in Managua raised another $325,000 in cash, as well as several containers of clothing and food donations. And the government of President Daniel Ortega has asked the legislative National Assembly to authorize $10.7 million in emergency aid for the North Atlantic Autonomous Region (RAAN).

Still, more aid and continued aid is needed as the region begins the Herculean task of rebuilding and replanting.

HOW TO HELP

Nicaragua Red Cross Bank Accounts:

Banpro (córdobas): 100-2330-6173-426

Banpro (dollars): 100-2331-6173-432

Bank of America (dollars): 190-1841-686

Regional Autonomous University of the Caribbean (URACCAN), Bank Accounts:

Banpro (córdobas): 10011606175118

Banpro (dollars): 10011616175075

The Moravian Social Development Institute in Bilwi (Puerto Cabezas):

To send money from Costa Rica: Banco Promerica S.A to the Banpro account of IDSIM (Moravian Social Development Institute in Puerto Cabezas) c/o Reverand Harold Smart Account # 10022715235447

–OR–

To send from Canada, the U.S. and the U.K.:

Bank of America

Swift Code BOFAUS3M

Account # 1901841686

ABA 026009593

Bank of America account # 1901841686

to the Banpro account of IDSIM (Moravian Social Development Institute in Puerto Cabezas)

c/o Reverand Harold Smart

Banpro account # 10022715235447

–OR–

Internationally