Mexico Hurricane Relief
March 2024 – May 2024
Last updated: July 2024
All Hands and Hearts (AHAH) stands committed to supporting communities impacted by the devastating Hurricane Otis, a Category 5 storm that struck in October 2023. Our Program Development Team (PDT) conducted on-site assessments at ten impacted schools in Guerrero, where we have mobilized our staff and local contractors to restore access to education at two schools in Coyuca de Benitez.
Our Work
We are committed to supporting those impacted by Hurricane Otis and addressing the ongoing necessity of restoring access to education in the state of Guerrero.
Following remote assessments of the situation, our Program Development Team (PDT) conducted on-site assessments at ten schools in Guerrero, to identify and support those whose operations were halted by the hurricane.
In order to ensure students’ and teachers’ return to the classroom, AHAH is leveraging our sustained presence in Mexico and engaging contractors and local workers to recover two school environments in Coyuca de Benitez. As of June 2024, we are continuing to evaluate ways in which we can continue to support those impacted.
Current Activities
This past month, local workers and AHAH contractors worked on two schools in Coyuca de Benitez, Eulalia Guzman Preschool and Multiple Attention Center, or Centro de Atencion Multiple (CAM) #6, ensuring students and teachers can return to classrooms.
At Eulalia Guzman, we completed several projects, including repairing hydraulic installations, replacing water tank lids and damaged windows, unclogging the sewer line and upgrading A/C equipment to prevent flood damage. This work impacts 120 students and 14 teachers, providing them with a safe and restored educational environment.
At CAM, a school for students with disabilities, we enhanced waterproofing in two classrooms, repaired windows and the electrical system, restored a drinking fountain and replaced the perimeter fence. These improvements impact 39 students and 8 teachers.
In collaboration with Proteccion Civil, we conducted Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) sessions attended by 40 participants, including parents and teachers from both schools.
Disaster Profile
Striking in the early hours of October 25, 2023, Hurricane Otis was the first Category 5 hurricane to make landfall along Mexico’s Pacific Coast. Winds up to 165 mph, combined with major flooding, inflicted severe damage to buildings and infrastructure in the state of Guerrero, disrupting communication systems and cutting off electricity to 300,000 households.
The Secretary of Education reports that to this day, 369 schools remain damaged by Hurricane Otis in the state’s major city of Acapulco. 158 schools need priority assistance in cleaning and services, with the majority of students still unable to return to classes due to the damages.
All Hands and Hearts ©2024
