On November 3, 2020 Hurricane Eta crashed against the
Atlantic Coast of Nicaragua as a category 4 hurricane, devastating the mostly
indigenous and Black communities that inhabit the area. Shortly after, on November
16, 2020 Iota, a category 5 hurricane, made landfall in the same area destroying what
little was still standing. Chavalos launched our fundraising efforts via a live facebook
concert to bring awareness and much needed aid to the coastal area on November 7,
2020 with artists residing in Nicaragua. Since then, our call for help has been spread
and magnified by our community via social media platforms and news agencies. To
ensure donations reach the affected community members directly we have partnered
with AMICA an indigenous organization residing in Bilwi.
get to know more about this campaign
AMICA
AMICA stands for Asociación de Mujeres Indígenas de la Costa
Atlántica (Indigenous Women Association of the Atlantic Coast). AMICA is an NGO
established in 1991 whose mission is to serve the female indigenous population of
over 256 communities in the Atlantic Coast of Nicaragua. They are advocates of
women's human rights, encourage their participation in community decision-making
and promote their economic independence.
Chavalos
Chavalos is a Nicaraguan nonprofit based in San Francisco and we use the cultural arts as a vessel to organize our local community to provide humanitarian aid transnationally while keeping our culture and traditions alive.
Our goal is to bring together local youth to form a support system for under-resourced families, both in our local communities and in Nicaragua.
AMICA surveyed and generated a report of the
aftermath of hurricane Eta in their communities. This report was shared with us after
our initial meeting to shed light on the devastation and the immediate needs of their
people. We have attached it here for your reference. We have now added a second report that shows the impact of hurricane Iota. Currently the area is out of
power, buildings are flooded and AMICA is focusing on getting immediate aid to their
communities. We have been fortunate to maintain contact with them and will continue
to post updates via our social media platforms and here on our website.
Thank You
We are committed to keeping donors and community members updated on the status of the Nicaraguan people and how resources are used. Right now the priority is ensuring the immediate safety of community members, and immediate access to water, food and shelter.
We are working with AMICA leaders to develop a timeline of resource distributions and status updates; while being mindful of the climate and regional developments. We anticipate publishing weekly updates.
Thank you so much to our donors and supporters for making immediate relief accessible!
updates & Latest News
November 21, 2020
This week AMICA’s leaders travelled to Managua with the goal of gathering much needed aid. Thanks to your donations, we have been able to facilitate the means to purchase by making the first transfer of $10,000 to their account. We will be sharing pictures and receipts as soon as they’re provided.
In addition, AMICA has a team surveying the communities and evaluating the damages. We have seen the beginning of a preliminary report and will share it here once it’s completed. With many areas not having electricity, shelter plus substantial damages, the priority continues to be immediate aid.
https://www.instagram.com/tv/CH3IM7xF8YO/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
November 24, 2020
AMICA Statement:
Bilwy and Indigenous communities need us. As an organization of Indigenous Women of the Atlantic Coast #AMICA; We have began work to support people that have been affected by #HurricaneEta and #HurricaneIota. We have the need for financial support to meet immediate needs as well as the construction of partial and in some cases total damage to homes. Hurricane Eta left in its wake serious damage that is neither recoverable in the short term nor in an immediate manner, the damage is so great that it affects the coastal population psychologically, socially and economically. The flora, fauna, livestock, agriculture, as well as the fishing area are seriously damaged. There are many needs: Food, Hygiene products, Water, Clothing, Medicines, Cash and Construction Materials. Our Indigenous women, boys and girls need us.
November 26, 2020
AMICA made and distributed care packages with water, non perishable and hygiene products in Municipio de Waspam. They also cooked carne de res, arroz y yuca con fresco de tang for the people in shelters in Puerto Cabezas.
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December 04, 2020
AMICA leaders who went to the capital to collect resources have recently returned to Bilwi. They have met with community leaders in order to distribute essential food kits that contain: Rice, Beans, Salt, Cooking Oil, Flour and Baking Soda. These food kits will be taken to different communities and families in need.
A portion of the donations was used to purchase and plant beans. This creates sustainable and local food sources that they will be able to sow in the coming year. Donations come and go but being able to harvest their own food staples to sustain their communities, provide food autonomy.
In addition, AMICA is currently looking to purchase zinc and building materials in bulk to begin repairing homes. This will be the focus of future distributions.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How are the funds that are donated getting to the people in need?
We have partnered with AMICA because they have been in the region for many years and are able to get aid directly to the people that need it.
Can we donate clothes, water, non perishables here in the United States?
At this time we are not taking any physical donations, we would love to be able to do that but the logistics and social political crisis currently in Nicaragua makes it difficult for us to truly know if aid will reach its intended destination.
When will the donations be given and how will we know where they went?
We have already began dispersing aid to AMICA, they are currently getting resources and aid to bring back to the communities. As soon as we get updates from them we will be posting them here.
What can I do to help?
We have received an overwhelming amount of messages, calls and donations. We thank you for your support and trust in us. If you are able to donate do so, if you are not, please share and
spread the word.
Do you take donations via PayPal?
Yes, you can donate via PayPal using the email donation@chavalos.org. We are currently using two platforms for this fund: Venmo & Website donations. We have other campaigns that use PayPal, so if you prefer to use this platform please mention Hurricane Relief Fund in the memo line.
Will any of my donation to the Hurricane Relief fund go to Chavalos Operational costs?
No, our board members are all voluntary in nature, meaning no one receives a salary. All funds would go directly to Nicaragua.
Do you have more question? Send us an email : info@chavalos.org
UNCIEF Fly Over Video
Pictures provided by AMICA
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