Ep. 13: Hurricanes Iota and Eta: Not Just Natural Disasters

11/27/20 • 44 min

Honduras was hit by two hurricanes - Eta and Iota - in less than two weeks. The hurricanes and the continuous rains since, have caused tremendous economic and human loss.

Host Karen Spring provides an overview of the estimated damage and shares an interview conducted with freelance journalist Jose Luis Granados Ceja. Karen and Luis discuss the past and current political context that not only undermines rescue and rebuilding efforts but also increases the vulnerability of Hondura's poor to the global impacts of climate change. They also discuss how the hurricanes may affect migration push factors and the possibilities of change in Honduras.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/honduras-now-podcast/donations

Honduras was hit by two hurricanes - Eta and Iota - in less than two weeks. The hurricanes and the continuous rains since, have caused tremendous economic and human loss.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/honduras-now-podcast/donations

Previous Episode

Ep. 12: Hurricane Eta: "Only the People Save the People"

Hurricane Eta has devastated large parts of Honduras's most populated regions. Even before making landfall in Nicaragua on November 3, 2020, rivers around the country began spilling over forcing thousands of people to flee their homes to escape the catastrophic flooding.

Host Karen Spring shares an interview with one man about his experiences rescuing people by boat the days during and after the peak of the disaster. It's now over a week later and some Hondurans are still on their rooftops waiting to be rescued. So much of the rescuing and disaster relief is being done by Honduras. With the government largely absent, Hondurans are emphasizing that "only the people, save the people".

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/honduras-now-podcast/donations

Next Episode

Ep. 14: The Struggle to Defend Water in Guapinol

In December 2020, the 8 imprisoned water defenders from the community of Guapinol and San Pedro sector, were granted an important bail hearing. The Municipal Committee for the Defense of Public and Common Goods and allies gathered outside the courthouse in Tocoa, Colon to demand their immediate freedom.

The Guapinol water conflict has been going on for over 2.5 years. The water defenders have been imprisoned for over 500 days on trumped up charges. They are being held in pre-trial detention for defending their community's water source.

We hear from one of the criminalized water and human rights defenders and members of the legal team. They describe the interests behind the Guapinol conflict including the US company backing the Honduran companies that are behind the mining operation. This episode describes the origins and background of the conflict and the difficulties of securing the release of the imprisoned water defenders under the dictatorship.

For more information about the Guapinol water conflict: www.guapinolresiste.org or Twitter @guapinolre

Show notes with further links and information posted at: hondurasnow.org

Join us to demand freedom for the 8 imprisoned water defenders!

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/honduras-now-podcast/donations