In the Shadow of the Volcano: Guatemala’s Unequal Disaster

The Central American region and especially, the country of Guatemala, is vulnerable to numerous natural disasters – earthquakes, hurricanes, landslides, droughts and … volcanoes.

Thousands of Guatemalans are still recovering from the effects of the eruption of a volcano called Fuego – Spanish for “fire” – which took place in the summer of 2018. In this report, our special correspondent Maria Martin looks back at the disaster – which some people are calling the worst natural disaster to strike Guatemala in decades – and she takes stock of what’s happened since. It’s one more catastrophe in which the poor and the vulnerable were hit the hardest, and they are demanding investigations of government corruption and neglect.

Featuring:

Mildred Morales, a former resident of La Lajas, a community affected by the eruption

Consuelo Hernandez, a former resident of Los Lotes, a community affected by the eruption

Maximina, a former resident of Porvenir, a community affected by the eruption

Alberto Cardona, a journalist with Guatevision TV

Sofia Letona, co-founder of Antigua al Rescate/Antigua to the Rescue

Amy Farrow, a volunteer with Antigua al Rescate/Antigua to the Rescue

David de Leon, spokesperson for Guatemalan disaster agency CONRED

Aufermia Garcia, a former resident of Los Lotes, lost 50 family members to the eruption.

Credits:

Guest Producer: Maria Martin

Host: Salima Hamirani

Voice overs: Charley Fierro, Josette King, Diane Livia and Mohamed Shehk

Making Contact Producers: Anita Johnson, Salima Hamirani and Monica Lopez

Executive Director: Lisa Rudman

Web Editor and Audience Engagement Director: Sabine Blaizin

Outreach and Distribution Assistant: Dylan Heuer

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