By Brenda Lopez Romero
Impunity Watch Reporter, North America

MANAGUA, Nicaragua – The drought zones of Mozonte and Macuelizo have at least fifty percent of their population without basic drinking water needs met. They must travel over eight kilometers to find usable water.

There are expectations for worse conditions to come. Monseñor Bernardo Hombach, Bishops of the Diócesis de Granada, is concerned with widespread hunger due to the drought. Hombach said many people had not picked their harvest. He stated “at the moment the impact is not felt because some people have small reserves.” The zone of Chinandega is starting to see the hunger issue.

The mayor of Mozonte called the World Food Program to obtain food for 520 families in the affected zone. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is implementing a program of food for work for about 652 families affected. In March, the families are to work in conservation and reforesting.

Government officials say there are doing the best they can to alleviate problems.

For more information, please see:

La Prensa – Poblados sin agua ni comida – 23 February 2010

La Prensa – Se agudiza la hambruna en el Norte – 22 February 2010