On Sunday, Guatemala’s Volcán de Fuego erupted for 16 and a half hours, killing at least 25 and injuring hundreds more. President Jimmy Morales has called for three days of national mourning following what officials say is the volcano’s most intense eruption in more than four decades. “It’s a river of lava that overflowed its banks and affected the El Rodeo village,” Sergio Cabanas, the general secretary of Coordinadora Nacional para la Reducción de Desastres, said on the radio, according to Reuters. “There are injured, burned, and dead people.” With #VolcanDeFuego and #PrayforGuatemala, people are using the internet as a tool to spread awareness of the magnitude of the explosion. They are also using social media as a way to bring relief to the more than 3,100 evacuated and the 1.7 million that will be affected as a result. One GoFundMe account aimed to raise $1,000 for water, gas masks, toilet paper, rubbing alcohol, personal hygiene products, and more.
Started by Ben Prowless – who is working with Red Tz-ikin, Prensa Comunitaria, and Festivales Solidarios – the fundraiser is collecting funds through The National Federation of Cooperatives (MICCOPE). El Rodeo has been “buried,” and places like Alotenango and San Miguel los Lotes are also highly affected. Police officers, soldiers, and other emergency workers are attempting to rescue people. The death toll is expected to rise, according to BBC.
As more information comes to light, it’s becoming increasingly clear that Guatemalans need as much help as possible. The campaign has already surpassed its initial goal, but you can still donate here.