The 80 Person Death Toll Nobody Is Talking About
Hurricane Ingrid and Tropical Storm Manuel battered Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula this week, bringing with them an onslaught of rain and wind that has led to 80 deaths and thousands of people being trapped without electricity, running water, or food. To make matters worse, the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System reports that more rain and wind could continue throughout the week with Manuel making a return as a tropical cyclone. They are estimating that it will have a “medium humanitarian impact.” While the country of Mexico has worked hard to help those harmed by the natural disaster, the international community has been silent. This is unacceptable, and international aid should be sent to those affected immediately.
Acapulco’s international airport is still flooded, but luckily the airstrips were dry enough to allow over 5,000 people to fly out on Wednesday. Tens of thousands more are still trying to evacuate. AeroMexico and InterJet are helping the rescue operations by running free flights and setting up collection centers for supplies. Passengers with children, elderly members, or medical needs are being prioritized for boarding.
In an instance of commercial interests being protected, the government has worked to protect supermarkets and convenience stores to bar looters from taking inventory. It is not compensating store owners for goods taken during the emergency.