In the aftermath of Hurricane John, our Humane Society International team has once again stepped up to help vulnerable animals and their families in one of Mexico's hardest-hit regions, Guerrero. These communities are still recovering from Hurricane Otis, a Category 5 storm that struck last year. When Hurricane John hit the region twice in late September, first as a Category 3 storm, then again as a Category 1, leading to worsening floods and landslides, we knew we would need to act.
With wind gusts topping 120 miles per hour and widespread flooding, John devastated entire communities in Guerrero, which is one of the poorest states in Mexico.
One way of helping people hard-hit by disasters is making it as easy as possible to care for the animals they love. We swiftly mobilized a disaster response team, deploying a team of veterinary volunteers spearheaded by Felipe Márquez, our program manager for disaster response in the Latin America region, to the cities of Chilpancingo and Acapulco.
On the ground in Guerrero, our team witnessed firsthand how worried people were about their animals. “It was an overwhelming experience," Felipe said. "Helping an animal in need, knowing they can't speak for themselves, fills your heart in a way that's hard to describe. These animals are family to the people of Guerrero, and seeing them safe, healthy and cared for—it's the greatest satisfaction you can feel."
Working closely with the state's Ministry of Environment and the security authorities, the team began offering veterinary assistance and providing much-needed supplies to care for animals caught in the storm's aftermath. You can view a video the team streamed live from the aftermath of the storm here.