" Food, water running perilously low on Mexican coast"

[Bluebear]

VILLAHERMOSA, Mexico - Residents began running perilously short of food and water in Mexico's southern Gulf coast Sunday after a week of devastating floods that destroyed or damaged the homes of as many as half a million people.

"We are seeing one of the worst natural catastrophes in the history of the country," President Felipe Calderon said in Tabasco state. "Not only because of the size of the area affected, but because of the number of people affected."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071105/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/mexico_flooding

[MADem]

1. Holy shit. Katrina South. Haven't seen much of this on our tee vee, have you?

Since rivers first began to burst their banks Oct. 28, the homes of an estimated half a million people have been damaged or destroyed, and at least that many more people have been affected by severed utilities and transportation corridors, according to the government. In neighboring Chiapas state, four bridges and 180 miles of roads were washed out....Many in Tabasco remained camped out on the rooftops or upper floors of their flooded homes to guard their possessions from looters, but their resolve was running out — along with water, food and other supplies.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. I don't suppose Bushler has offered any aid yet.

It took what, a week? before any was offered to the tsunami victims, and it was a pittance.

But then, since Bush hasn't done squat for the Katrina victims, and there's this big fat war going on and children to deprive of medical care, why the hell would we think he'd want to help the Mexicans?

[Bluebear]

5. Update on that >>>

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=post&forum=389&topic_id=2204306&mesg_id=2204306

[nadinbrzezinski]

6. From my scanning of the Mexican Press

no, not yet... the EU has... as well as some other nations.. but not the US

I intend to call my Senator tomorow and see about that

[nadinbrzezinski]

4. Been posting about it

and there are MAJOR differences between this and Katrina

Let me point some

The Mexican Air Force, under Presidential order, started an air bridge almost immediately... they are using their four C-130 Hercules and the two 727... in other words, Air Force One and back up to get personnel and equipment down there

The President has requested private carriers to help and a small carrier is now ferrying 5 tons per day

The President mobilized the nation and goods and services, including water purification units, rescue personnel and rescue gear started rolling within hours.

The Mexican Navy is using Sea Hawks in rescue operations

Federal Police has brought rescue choppers and personnel

The army has deployed so far, 5000 troops for safety and rescue.

Personnel from the State of Mexico are now in the field,,, engaged in rescue

Personnel from Colima are in the Field in medical field facilities
'
The Red Cross mobilized immediately with 300 Rescue and Disaster Personnel in the field and 900 in Mexico City doing logistical support, plus ad hoc volunteers, including one President of the Country who rolled up sleeves and helped to pack up trucks... and major logistical centers in Monterrey and Guadalajara

The DIF has mobilized to take care of kids

The Heath department has sent over 20K doses as Dengue, yellow fever and HepC are a real possibility and are doing a census at all shelters, for people in need of medical and psychiatric care, as well as a census of pregnant women, due to the crap in the water.

The Feds have promised to pay people daily wages when the cleanup phase comes, as in locals.

And yes all offers of international aide are under review at the Cancilleria... I expect them to accept aide by the day after tomorrow at the latest... Been to these dances before.

Shelters have been opened by the government\red cross and are manned 24\7

Oh and Costco has agreed to collect money for the Red Cross

This is off the top of my head

Oh and so far they have confirmed 20 dead, and have a list of fit missing presumed dead

So far the death toll has been lower due to the extremely rapid response, but what they need are more choppers to pluck people off roofs as in immediately.

[MADem]

7. Well, that headline in the OP doesn't sound like everything is too hunky-dory. nt

[nadinbrzezinski]

8. It never is

in a situaiton like this you have water everywhere, but you don't have potable water

But the response, SO FAR, has been more competent with far fewer resources

And why I expect the Cancilleria to allow foreign teams by tomorrow or the day after tomorrow

Oh and let me add something else... the area affected is three times the size of Katrina

[uppityperson]

3. k&r and my news article earlier link

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x2202654

[Hoof Hearted]

9. Crap. Our hearts and prayers go out to all those poor people.

What a mess! Why am I totally not surprised that I haven't seen a thing about this on TV?