Flood waters recede in Mexico and the clean-up begins

November 14, 2007

More than 1 million people in Tabasco state and 250,000 in Chiapas state are trying to rebuild their lives after exceptionally heavy rains drenched the southern states of Mexico in the first days of November.

Described as the worst flooding this region has ever seen, the water is only slowly receding and the clean-up just beginning. World Vision Mexico says as the water subsides, all sorts of debris has surfaced in the streets – including rubbish and dead animals – posing a serious health risk. Health authorities are providing vaccinations against hepatitis, influenza and tetanus.

In the aftermath of the flooding, the army evacuated people to temporary shelters. Many are returning to their homes during the day to rescue their belongings and protect them from looting. At night, the flooded areas of Villahermosa, the capital city of Tabasco state, are protected by the army.

Rafael is a doctor whose Villahermosa clinic was flooded. He says the early warnings were not taken seriously.

“When the Governor told the population to evacuate their homes last week, most of us did not believe him and stayed home until it was too late,” he says. “I have a baby so we decided to go to Mexico City, to keep my family safe.”

But fleeing the area was only possible for those who had the means to escape. Often it is the poor who fare the worst in a natural disaster such as this, as they have no choice but to stay put and wait for help.

One taxi driver described the highways after the flooding as “filled with long lines of cars with families driving away from the disaster.”

World Vision Mexico says the wellbeing of children who are now living in shelters is a key concern. World Vision Mexico is preparing a plan focused on children’s welfare and education while they are in the shelters, but also after they go back to school.