RESPONSE TO CYCLONES IOTA & ETA IN HONDURAS & NICARAGUA (2020/2021)
The devastating impact of twin cyclones in November 2020 left many parts of Central America under -water, without power, basic healthcare & sanitation facilities. Rapid logistical access to Honduras was even more critical due to the impact of COVID-19 and the lack of commercial flights into the country, as well as the country’s second principal airport at San Pedro Sula being completely submerged under water.
Priority Worldwide was called upon by the governments of USA and Canada to assist with the logistical response to Honduras and Nicaragua, who had asked for international assistance, including search & rescue and medical facilities assistance.
Priority’s US office had to think outside the box when assisting a US Search and Rescue team to mobilize quickly to Honduras from Washington Dulles. We were able to provide two charter aircraft within less than 36 hours’ notice of tasking; One cargo jet aircraft to transport the SAR equipment and one passenger jet aircraft to transport the responders themselves to a US military base just south of San Pedro Sula.