Relief Efforts
These are relief initiatives in response to devastating natural disasters, such as
hurricanes, storms, etc.
CCAMRE's efforts has been in the following:
Emergency Aid Container
RELIEF CONTAINER MISSION 2009 IN RESPONSE TO TROPICAL STORM DOLLY
In the fall of 2008 The Merendon Mountain region of Guatemala received continuous heavy rainfall for
two months only to be followed by Tropical Storm Dolly. CCMARE responded to this disaster by sending a
container of aid donations.
The Emergency Relief Mission in December 2008 included a small group of volunteers which traveled to Guatemala
in order to unload the container and distribute its contents; unfortunately the container was delayed and did
not arrive as planned. CCAMRE and the volunteers in turn purchased food locally for 1500 families, the group along
with the help of army volunteers, packed and sorted the food into 1500 bags.
During this stay they were able to distribute food to 160 families in Volcancito and Peña Blanca; in addition,
they helped to paint the Multi-Skills Centre in Volcancito. The remainder food bags along with the container
contents were distributed later by the yearly spring mission in 2009.
CCAMRE would like to express its gratitude to everyone who helped in this wonderful humanitarian effort.
Support in reconstruction Initiatives
CCAMRE Stan Relief Committee
CCAMRE and community members met on October 5, 2005 and established the Stan Relief Committee and this committee
was established for a period of six months with the support of the Canada Guatemala Chamber of Commerce CGCC.
The committee was mandated to do fundraising until January 31, 2006. Fundraising initiatives included dinner dance,
selling friendship bracelets and donations.
The committee was very successful and $24,000.00 was raised in a period of two months.
CCMARE and the CGCC will travel to Guatemala in March 2006 and visit the region of San Marcos particularly the
area of Ocos that was hard hit by the hurricane. The funds will be use in a community development project with
the intent that the whole community benefits from it. The team traveling to San Marcos is mandated by the Stan
Committee to do an assessment to determine how best to use the funds, in conjunction with a community consultation.
The committee recommends that the funds are used as follow: to re-habilitate a damaged school or health centre,
or/and to purchase block making machines for the reconstruction needs, however, this is to be determine upon the
team assessment late March 2006 and a report will follow.
Thank you to Oscar Palma, Ricardo Castillo, Ricardo Wever and Mario Cuellar from the Canada Guatemala Chamber
of Commerce and to all committee members for your support and great work.
Update 2009:
Communal Construction Building Supply Depot - CCAMRE / GBAC Stan Committee Project
After a long process we are happy to report that this project has concluded and the community of San Jose de
Churirin made the most of the building supplies by building 10 houses among community members. Committee Chair
travelled to the region throughout the project time line and monitored the project accordingly. The community of
San Jose de Churirin extend their heartfelt thank you to the people of Canada. This project was conducted in
conjunction with the Guatemala Business Association of Canada or GBAC.
