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BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Nicaragua is in a downward economic spiral. Many of the people who obtained land under land reform programs have actually now lost their land. 60% of the population is unemployed or under-employed. The social tensions in Nicaragua continue to grow with an increased division between the rich and the poor and a continuing polarization of the country. 60% of Nicaragua's GDP goes to debt servicing. Foreign aid is dropping. Malnutrition and infant mortality is rising. |
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municipality of Pueblo Nuevo in the rural department of Estelli is located
200 kilometres north of Managua. It is one of the poorest areas of Nicaragua.
In addition to the "regular' problems associated with the lack of resources
in much of Nicaragua, people in that region face an additional challenge
as the area was one of the hardest hit by Hurricane Mitch. 22,000 people
live in this area. This is an agricultural area where people raise vegetables, chickens etc. for themselves and grow coffee for export. Hurricane Mitch devastated their homes and their fields. OPTIONS: |
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Immediate assistance is needed in the form of
basic needs. Contact the Red Cross to provide basic necessities after Hurricane
Mitch. 2. Nicaragua is known for its coffee. Help develop coffee plantations and export markets so that farmers can afford to buy more food. 3. Clearly there is no way for the farmers of this region to make a reasonable living. Therefore an organization will help arrange to move all of the families from this community to Managua, the capital city, where there are bound to be more opportunities. |
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