Honduras presently is suffering through its worst crisis in contemporary history. "Maldita" (Damned) Mitch as referred to locally, has literally wiped entire communities off the map when it passed through Honduras last week. There are still thousands isolated out there who have not eaten in days. The country is completely fragmented, with isolated areas that have been cut off from the rest of the world; having had lost electricity, water, telecommunications, roads and bridges. Rescue operations are in full operation, and thousands of individuals have been saved in the past few days.

On top of all of the chaos caused by Mitch, the capitol of Tegucigalpa is mourning the tragic death of its Mayor, Dr. Cesar Castellanos Madrid, who died in a helicopter accident on Monday along with three others. This charismatic leader will be greatly missed by all, and he was killed while inspecting areas damaged by Mitch. Honduras.com joins in the mourning of this great leader and sincerely hopes that the diverse projects he spear-headed will be finished. The San Pedro Sula airport was flooded, and service is expected to begin again on Thursday for cargo flights only. This airport closing has stranded hundreds of people, including a church mission from Louisiana that was providing volunteer medical and professional services in Trinidad, Santa Barbara when Mighty Mitch struck Honduras.

President Carlos Roberto Flores has taken decisive action to combat the situation. A general curfew throughout the country prohibits free circulation of people except designated individuals, between the hours of nine p.m. and five a.m. Those found on the streets during those times will be immediately escorted to the nearest shelter. Looters and other criminals will be arrested immediately. Gasoline stations are only allowed to sell Lps. 100 = of fuel at a time. Mayor Roberto Larios Silva has prohibited the sale of alcoholic beverages in San Pedro Sula (though we saw the Southern Bamboo selling them). Stores hoarding merchandise is also prohibited (though we know the Mini Super Los Alamos is hiding liter size milk cartons). And even more disturbing reports of hoarding food donations from City Hall in one of the shelters of Colonia El Carmen, has still gone uninvestigated by the authorities, even though it has been reported to them.

Honduras.com regrets that it was not the first site to post photographs of the myriad of events presently occurring in Honduras. However, we are extremely proud of the fact that we have spent this past week in the Regional Municipal Emergency Committee headquarters, providing current information and analyses of Hurricane Mitch to the San Pedro Sula Mayor and his strike team. This is a perfect example of cooperation between private enterprise and the public sector for the benefit of the country. The information that we provided with our equipment was employed in critical decision making. We also employed our forum and chat as mediums for Honduran expatriates and other interested people to get current information and to organize relief drives. We also have created a page for donations and are presently organizing relief and assistance efforts. In other words, Honduras.com actively employed the Internet to benefit its citizens and leaders - a world wide first as far as we know!!!

Although we plan to provide exclusive coverage of the upcoming rescue and reconstruction activities, lapses may occur whenever life-threatening situations, or other priorities take precedence. Our duty as concerned Hondurans is to help the country first, and report on it later. All Hondurans throughout the world should follow our example and organize relief drives to send aid ASAP - this wonderful country needs all the help it can get!

The following statistical data provided by the Regional Emergency Committee headquarters here in San Pedro Sula, Honduras provides an overview of the present situation in this area of the country. Due to the magnitude of the tragic events, and the corresponding communications breakdown throughout the country, statistical data concerning Hurricane Mitch from other areas is presently still unavailable.

Health officials have attended to date 13,100 sick patients in shelters of San Pedro Sula, La Lima, Choloma, Santa Cruz de Yojoa, Cortes, and heath centers in affected areas.

Pending data includes: Guanaja, CODER I

Source: Regional Emergency Command (CODER II)