How Latin America Is Coming Together To Help Aid Guatemala's Volcano Crisis

Fuego volcano in Guatemala erupted in early June, burying entire villages under lava and ash. Days after the eruption, the search for those who have disappeared continues, with survivors receiving help both from within the country and from around the world.

Fuego during a more gentle eruption; Acatenango volcano is seen at the right of the picture

An amazing response from far and wide

In the aftermath of the disaster, people came together to support the victims. Across Guatemala, organizers set up collection centers and volunteers donated many tons of food, clothes, and medicine. The scene was repeated in Honduras and El Salvador, with trucks filling up with donations before driving to the border of their stricken neighbor.

El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, and Chile were among the first to offer assistance

Even as people from across the region donated as much as they could afford, complications arose. Despite the great show of solidarity, some of these foreign donations were delayed due to the famously intricate bureaucracy of the Guatemalan state. Customs officials were forced to turn back four truckloads of goods from El Salvador because the disaster response agency hadn’t asked the Foreign Ministry to enact an international aid protocol. It took four days for the relevant paperwork to be submitted, finally allowing aid from across the region to reach the survivors.

Alongside El Salvador and Honduras, Mexico also came out in support. Further afield, Chile offered help in monitoring volcanoes to help prevent a similar tragedy from occurring again on Guatemalan soil. The disaster has attracted a great deal of attention, and various online fundraisers allow people to contribute from wherever they are in the world.

How can you help?

If you are interested in helping out, always make sure to check where your money is going. Look for fundraisers in aid of local organizations who are experienced in the area and understand the needs of survivors. Avoid campaigns that will ship donations from abroad to Guatemala, as transport is expensive and wastes money that could be used more effectively by supporting local organizations. Before you give, try to remember that a little initial googling can go a long way.

This page gives details of which campaigns are verified by GoFundMe.

¡Fuerza Guatemala!

landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.