El Placer, un comunidad que se rumoreaba se iba a conertir en la zona hotelera de CostaMaya, se ha convertido en zona catastrofica por la parte mas podersa ydestructiva del 3º huracacn mas fuerte de la historia. Verlo en persona es... sobrecogedor. El ojo del huracan paso al sur de Mahahual con increible furia, dejando a El Placer, 15 millas al norte, recibir la parte mas violenta del huracan, la cara Norte... Los vientos excedieron los 320km/h.
Un señor maya anciano, Roberto, ha sido el encargado de una de las casas en el Placer, y aun continua alli, limpiando y ocupando la casa que tantos años ha cuidado. Su propia casa fue completamente destruida y la casa que cuida le provee de un refugio donde estar. Esta muy agradecido de la poca comida, agua, botas y herramientas queha recibido de las donaciones privadas.
Les pedi que me dieran una lista de sus necesidades. En ella pedian por instalaciones sépticas, que el area fuera fumigada y que la carretra se arregalara para que fuera accesible el paso y poder empezar con los trabajos de reconstrucción. Ninguna casa tiene baña, los mosquitos son tantos y tan grandes que convierten una playera blanca en negra lo cual incrementa la posibilidad de enfermedades. Y la carretera es inaccesible a no ser que sevaya en un 4x4, lo cual obligaba a quedarse esperando el temido Felix qu finalmente no llego.
Los esfuerzos de muchos han atraido la atención al area en general. Costa Maya es la segunda mas grande region de todo México y consiste en muchas pequeñas comunidades, las cuales han sido todas afectadas por la destructiva fuerza de Dean. Punta Herrero, dentro de la Reserva de Sian Kaan es la casa de unas 70 personas. He preguntado a mucha gente acerca de esta pequeña comunidad de pescadores y, aun, después de 20 dias no sabemos nada.
Otras muchas pequeñas comunidades predominantemente Mayas del interior tambien necesitan ayuda para recontruir. Algunas de estas comunidades son Noh Bec, Nuevo Jerusalem, Nuevo Israel, Chac Choben y Lazaro Cardenas. Una lista completa de estas comunidades aun no se han incluido para recibir ninguna ayuda.
El Placer, often rumored to eventually be the future hotel zone of the newly developing Costa Maya, recently became ground zero for the most powerful part of the 3rd most powerful hurricane in history ever to make landfall. To see it in person is…..overwhelming. The eye of the hurricane Dean passed to the south over Mahahual with incredible fury, leaving the even more isolated community of El Placer 15 miles north to receive the most violent part of any hurricane, the North wall. Storm surge there reached 15 feet, with winds easily in excess of 200 m/hr, or 320 km/hr.
This small community consists of several vacation homes and unique hotels, the most well-known of which is Mayan Beach Garden, operated by Marcia and Kim. These homes and businesses all provide a source of living for many people. They are there now working to recuperate their homes and businesses, and as of my last visit there 4 days ago, 11 days after, not one official from the government had yet visited to assess the situation.
One elderly Mayan gentleman, Roberto, has been the caretaker of one home in El Placer, and he continues there now, cleaning and occupying the home he has so long cared for. His own home was completely destroyed, and the home he cares for provides him little shelter. He was very grateful to receive the little bit of food, water, boots, and tools that we had to offer from private contributions.
I asked for a list of needs from the residents to pass on to whomever I could get to listen, and expected to receive a lengthy document. When they delivered it to me all they asked for is some basic septic facilities, that the area be sprayed for mosquitos, and that the road be made accessible to ease their task of rebuilding. Not a single home or hotel has bathroom facilities, the mosquitos are thick enough to turn a white shirt black, both of which increase the possibility of life-threatening diseases. And the road has been made impassable to anything less than 4-wheel drive, making the decision for some to stay in the face of the threat of another hurricane Felix.
The concerted efforts of many have drawn much attention to the general area, of course centered on Mahahual, however Costa Maya is the second largest region in all of Mexico, and consists of many small communities, all of which have been affected by Dean’s destructive force. Punta Herrero, deep within the Sian K’aan reserve is home to perhaps 70 people. I have been asking everyone I can about this small fishing village and believe that nobody has been to see it yet now 15 days after the hurricane.
Many small predominately Mayan communities further inland still need support as well to avoid further trauma and to rebuild. Some of these communities include Noh Bec, Neuvo Jersalem, Nuevo Israel, Chacchoben (which might be fine for now), and Lazaro
Cardenas. A complete list of these communities has not yet been included completely in any relief efforts.
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