More than a ton of canned food, rice, beans, water, diapers and other products has been collected at the Siglo XXI convention center for victims of Hurriane Odile in Baja California Sur.
The humanitarian aid drive began last Thursday at a collection center in the Chichén Itzá Room by the State Civil Protection Unit (Procivy).
‘What is urgently needed are nonperishable foods, canned goods, cookies, chocolate milk powder for children, canned tuna and sardines,” said Aarón Palma Euán, director of Procivy. Bottled water is also essential, he added.
Proceeds will be delivered on Saturday, Sept. 27 when a trailer with a capacity of 30 tons will leave for Mazatlán, and from there by sea to Baja California Sur. Until then, the collection center will be open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Palma Euán urged everyone to join in this effort made by the state government to collect all possible aid to bring “our share for our brothers in Baja California Sur.”
On Sept. 14, Odile slammed Cabo San Lucas, San Jose del Cabo, La Paz, Mulege, Bahia de Los Angeles and other towns on the Baja California peninsula. Two confirmed fatalities were reported.
Throughout last week, much of the southern tip of the peninsula remained without electricity and drinking water. Due to flooded roads, the Los Cabos area was cut off from nearby towns.
Thousands of U.S. tourists coming home, after being stranded for days, were met with Red Cross disaster workers offering support. In Houston, the Red Cross provided support to more than 360 passengers on one flight, making sure they had something to eat, comfort kits containing personal hygiene items, and health and mental health support. At least 15,000 tourists were vacationing on Baja California when the hurricane hit. Anyone trying to locate or check in on a U.S. citizen in Baja can contact the State Department’s Overseas Citizen Services at 1-888-407-4747.
The Mexican Red Cross has opened collection centers in several states to help those affected and sent the first shipment of 2,000 food parcels to Los Cabos. About 500 disaster workers have come from all over Mexico to help.
Sources: Diario de Yucatán, U-T San Diego, Red Cross
