July 01, 2010
Mauricio Vivero at (206) 547-9336 and mvivero@seaif.org

Seattle International Foundation announces grants to ActionAid and Catholic Relief Services for Storm Agatha relief efforts

Seattle, WA-- In response to Tropical Storm Agatha striking Central America, the Seattle International Foundation (SIF) announces two grants totaling $33,000 to ActionAid and Catholic Relief Services to support the relief efforts in Guatemala.  SIF would like to thank those individuals and organizations that contributed to the relief efforts by attending our community event on June 17, 2010, where over $3,000 was raised in partnership with the University of Washington Center for Human Rights. Donations for this effort were matched dollar for dollar by SIF.

On May 29, 2010, Guatemala was hit by the double devastation of a volcanic eruption, followed by Tropical Storm Agatha, and this week Storm Alex. The vulnerable communities of Guatemala’s Southern Coast were the hardest hit by the storm. In many cases, already impoverished communities saw their entire year’s harvest destroyed by the rains.  The situation is grave for many communities as food and water is very limited and access to these communities is impeded by washed out roads and collapsed bridges.

Last week, SIF’s Executive Director, Mauricio Vivero, traveled to Guatemala to see firsthand the damage caused by Tropical Storm Agatha and to meet with many committed individuals and organizations working to alleviate poverty.  Vivero’s trip included a visit with U.S. Ambassador McFarland, to learn about the U.S. government’s response to the storm and the challenges facing Guatemala.  SIF is proud to partner with ActionAid and Catholic Relief Services, organizations committed to working with local, grassroots groups in the most vulnerable communities of Guatemala’s Southern Coast.

Please visit SIF’s Central America Network blog for updates on the relief efforts and SIF’s recent trip to Guatemala, as well as relevant research and news in the region.