On Sunday, Guatemala’s Volcán de Fuego erupted, sending a river of lava and plumes of ash, gas, and soot into nearby villages. It was a cataclysmic event that killed at least 25 people, and injured at least 300 more.
The volcano is some 25 miles southwest of the capital, Guatemala City, and is close to the popular vacation spot, Antigua. More than 3,100 people have been evacuated so far, and 1.7 million otherwise have been affected by the volcano. Rescue operations have been hampered by dangerous conditions, and the death toll is expected to rise, according to BBC.
People are using social media to spread awareness about the need for assistance, usually accompanied by the hashtag #VolcanDeFuego and #PrayforGuatemala. If you want to help, here are ways to get involved:
- GoFundMe has also compiled a list of verified campaigns to help those affected by the Fuego volcano eruption
- Arca de Noé, the largest pet store chain in Guatemala, is collecting donations for animals and humans alike at their shops.
- The U.S.-based God’s Child Project, which operates facilities in Guatemala, expects to “feed, clothe, shelter, and provide medical assistance to thousands of people in the upcoming weeks.”
- The Guatemalan consulate in L.A. is accepting donations.
- Cruz Roja Guatemalteca—the Guatemalan division of the Red Cross—is on the ground running blood drives, collecting supplies, and providing medical care. You can donate to them directly through the bank information they released on Twitter. Alternatively, you can also donate to the U.S. Red Cross who is also responding to the crisis.
— CruzRojaGT (@CruzRojaGT_) June 4, 2018
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