Baptist Global Response
(Internation Version of Disaster Relief) 

BGR AlertNet: Earthquake kills 6 on Honduras' north coast

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras -- A powerful earthquake struck the Caribbean coast of Honduras May 28, killing six people, injuring 40 and damaging homes and buildings across the northern stretch of the country. A Southern Baptist relief response is not expected, however.

Tremors from the 7.1-magnitude quake also were felt in neighboring Belize, El Salvador and Guatemala, said David Brown, Baptist Global Response area director for the Americas.

“Fires were reported in and around San Pedro Sula and there is significant infrastructure damage in the earthquake area,” Brown said. “Traffic in and out of El Progreso is hampered because of damage to bridges.”

Damage on the resort islands off the coast, which were over the quake’s epicenter, was not as severe as expected, Brown added. The airport in San Pedro Sula is open.

Emergency services officials said the number of deaths and injuries could rise as reports come in from poor villages in the mountainous area along the coast, the Reuters news service reported.

Brown said he is receiving reports from the area through local pastors and Southern Baptist field partners. Once he has a more complete picture of the scope of the need, a decision will be made about whether an assessment team should be sent in.

“A Southern Baptist response is probably not planned, since most of the damage was to infrastructure and buildings,” Brown noted. “That could change, however, as we receive more reports. An assessment team, as of today, will probably not be needed.”

Brown asked for prayer on behalf of people who live in the disaster area.

“Although the death toll and reported damage do not appear to be massive, the impact on the lives of people in the quake zone still will be very serious,” Brown said. “Loved ones have been lost or injured. Homes have been damaged or destroyed. Livelihoods have been seriously disrupted.

“When a disaster like this strikes, people need to experience God’s love and comfort,” Brown added. “Pray that in the midst of this great difficulty, God’s people would demonstrate the love of Christ for people in need.”

Further reports on the situation in Honduras -- and whether a Southern Baptist relief response is needed – will be posted on http://gobgr.org.

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Questions regarding this BGR AlertNet e-mail may be directed to mkelly@gobgr.org.

Contributions to the Southern Baptist World Hunger Fund allow Southern Baptists to provide financial resources for overseas development projects and disaster response. For information on giving through the World Hunger Fund, visit the Giving page at http://www.gobgr.org.

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