A Third Of Guatemalans Affected By Tropical Storm Stan: Minister

SHAKE AND BLOW

A Guatemalan army officer prays in front of a huge mound of mud where 51 villagers remain buried by a mudslide caused by the flood in Canton Cua, Tacana municipality, San Marcos department, Guatemala, near the Mexican border. A third of Guatemala's population has been affected by the heavy rains and mudslides unleashed by Tropical Storm Stan, the country's defense minister said on Wednesday. Torrential rains and mudslides in Guatemala have claimed more than 2,000 lives, with hundreds buried alive in the towns of Panabaj and Tzanchaj. AFP photo by Orlando Sierra.

Key Biscayne, Florida (AFP) Oct 13, 2005
A third of Guatemala's population has been affected by the heavy rains and mudslides unleashed by Tropical Storm Stan, the country's defense minister said on Wednesday.

"Thirty percent of the population was affected in terms of infrastructure, roads, as well as their livelihoods," said General Carlos Villanueva, who was attending a gathering of Central American defense ministers in the US state of Florida.

Torrential rains and mudslides in Guatemala have claimed more than 2,000 lives, with hundreds buried alive in the towns of Panabaj and Tzanchaj.

The government has appealed for international assistance and Villanueva thanked the United States for providing logistical support.

A 60-person team of US military planners and logistics experts were on the ground in Guatemala City to coordinate assistance, which included the loan of up to 15 US helicopters.

US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, who presided over the meeting of defense ministers in Key Biscayne, Florida, conveyed his sympathy for the victims of the storm as well as the massive earthquake that struck South Asia over the weekend.

"All the countries that are present here have been most gracious and generous and cooperative in connection to hurricanes Katrina and Rita in the United States," Rumsfeld said.

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SHAKE AND BLOW

Death Toll From Tropical Storm Stan, Mudslides Tops 2,000

Guatemala City (AFP) Oct 11, 2005
The death toll from devastating mudslides in Guatemala topped 2,000 on Tuesday, as rescuers called off their search for hundreds of people buried for six days under solidifying mud.

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