Rat plague in Nicaragua, page 1

Nicaragua, one of the poorest countries in the world, is currently undergoing hunger fears as rats have devoured the crops. The Rio Coco community, in the north of Nicaragua, was declared a disaster area. Juan Rodriguez, spokesman for Nicaragua's National Disaster Prevention System (Sinapred) is asking for 1.5m to deal with the emergency. A UN team has also visited the region to determine how much help is needed.

news.bbc.co.uk
Up to 40,000 people are facing hunger in northern Nicaragua because rats have devoured their crops, officials say.

The plague has affected Miskito Indian communities which live by the Rio Coco river on the country's Caribbean coast.

Last week, the area - which is also regularly hit by flooding - was declared a disaster area, but the rats have yet to be exterminated.

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Sinapred being the Nicaraguan version of FEMA let's hope the problems are addressed soon. Their spokesperson said the shortages were affecting adults only and the children had food to eat as they were getting meals through a UN programme.

What happens to them if the adults die? Isn't it a little ironic that one of the poorest countries in the world has little or no money to help fight this disaster. I hope they get the aid they need quickly.

[edit on 27-9-2005 by DJDOHBOY]