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PR Archive

The following is a brief report from Willie McMartin, IRC's Team Leader for the mission to Nicaragua and Honduras - November 1998.

A 15 strong team from all parts of Great Britain attended Nicaragua and areas within Honduras following the devastation caused by Hurricane Mitch.  This deployment was in response to a direct request from the Nicaraguan Ambassador in London and confirmation from the British Embassy in Managua that our attendance would be appropriate.

The team’s primary task was search and rescue, but they also helped in many other ways. The team carried with them, food, medical supplies and other essential goods.Nigaragua Helen&Glenn.JPG (82960 bytes)

After arrival, and following discussions with the Nicaraguan Authorities and the British Ambassador, it was agreed that the team should work on the North Atlantic Coast in the area of the Rio Coco.  The town of Waspan was selected as a suitable base, allowing navigation both up and downstream.  The initial leg of the journey was by fixed wing aircraft to Puerto Cabezas.  Due to the immediate lack of helicopter transport, a section of 5 members with 2 inflatable boats moved to Waspan with instructions to start working downstream.  Nicaragua - Working the Rio Coco River 2.JPG (65555 bytes)A co-ordination / co-operation meeting between the Nicaraguan Army, the Royal Marines pre-deployment assessment group and the International Rescue Corps was held.  At this meeting some general tasking and work description was agreed.  As a result of a request at this meeting, it was agreed that 1 team member and 1 of our 2 interpreters would remain at the army base in Puerto Cabezas.   The remainder of the team and equipment then moved forward to Waspan.

The first section of the team worked downstream from Waspan covering an approximate distance of 40-50 kilometres.  The second and larger section of the team worked upstream from Waspan covering an approximate distance of 85-100 kilometres.   At times the team would sub-divide into three sections to cover the diversity of tasks required. All sections carried out similar work, which included:

bulletMedical help to those in need.
bulletMedical assessment for longer term help.
bulletMedical evacuation to Waspan Hospital of more serious cases.
bulletTransportation of a doctor to an outlying area.
bulletWater assessment including help in making wells useable.
bulletFood assessment.
bulletHelp in salvage of building materials.
bulletRepatriation of members of outlying communities.
bulletMovement of livestock across the river.
bulletLoading and unloading aid from lorries.
bulletLoading and unloading aid from boats.
bulletLoading and unloading aid from helicopters.IRC&Royal Navy.JPG (56597 bytes)Nicaragua Sat Uplink.JPG (75893 bytes)
bulletSupply of communications within remote areas.
bulletDonation of food.
bulletDonation of medical supplies.
bulletDonation of two boats complete with outboard motors and ancillary equipment.
bulletDonation of money for a boat hire which would enable a community to return to its former village location.
bulletSetting up a distribution system within local warehousing.
bulletSorting out medical supplies for distribution as per remote small community requirements.
bulletMovement of overweight items.
bulletCleaning and disposal of rubbish from the hospital in Waspan.
bulletRepair to an electrical generator in outlying area.
bulletAttendance and active participation in co-ordination meetings.   These meetings were between civilian and military groups.
bulletIRC was also initially able to supply logistical help which included maps, GPS positions of sites, availability or not of helicopter landing sites and general details of river navigation.  Attending briefings to offer help and options was also undertaken.

The team was active within the following locations:Nigaragua Children.JPG (60161 bytes)

  1. Puerto Cabezas
  2. Waspan
  3. Tuskro Tara
  4. Tuskro Sirpe
  5. Batsilya
  6. Santa Ana
  7. Leimus
  8. San Jeronimo
  9. Santa Fe
  10. Corinto
  11. Mokorin

Date of deployment: November 3rd 1998
Date of return to UK: November 17th 1998

United To Save Life

Willie McMartin
Team Leader

 

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Last modified: 04 June 2008