Hurricane Eta—a category 4 storm—left a path of destruction in Central America. Multiple communities are completely isolated and inaccessible due to landslides and road damage, that is also affecting communications and electric power. Recent damage assessments estimate that at least seven countries have been impacted by the storm. Eta greatly damaged, destroyed and flooded several communities and health facilities in Honduras, Nicaragua and Guatemala, some with more severe damage than others. PAHO is supporting the affected countries in the aftermath of the storm, working together with local authorities and partners in the rapid evaluation of health establishments, using the PAHO Rapid Assessment of Health Facilities (ERES) tool. PAHO is also promoting and maintaining public health measures to mitigate the current circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak.
National authorities have activated their emergency plans for health services in risk areas and those affected by Hurricane Eta. PAHO is mobilizing public health experts, strengthening country offices’ teams and coordinating operations with other health partners such as Emergency Medical Teams (EMT) and the international community.