Guatemala Rocked by Earthquake

Plan International is working with local emergency teams to reach people worst hit by the strongest earthquake in Guatemala for more than 35 years.

At least 48 people are dead, and hundreds more missing or injured, after the 7.4 magnitude quake struck off the central American country's pacific coast.

The state of San Marcos bore the brunt of its force - with people running into the streets as far away as Mexico and El Salvador.

"We are hearing reports of houses collapsing and serious damage to roads in the Southwest region," says Débora Cóbar, Plan International's Country Director in Guatemala.

"The Government has prioritised search and rescue operations, as well as hospital attention for victims, damage assessment and humanitarian aid."

"Plan International will be focusing its support on assessing the impact of the quake and keeping children safe from harm in emergency shelters."

Guatemala's minister of communications and infrastructure has warned it could take 24 hours to re-establish transport links to the worst-affected areas.

Plan is working with the government, UN agencies and other international aid organisations to help coordinate response.

Panama, El Salvador and Honduras have offered their help with the rescue operation.

For more information on Plan’s work or to make a donation call 0800 526 848 or visit www.plan-uk.org

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Rose Foley
Media Relations Officer
Plan UK | www.plan-uk.org

Direct Line: 0203 217 0257 | Switchboard: 0300 777 9777 / +44 (0)20 7608 1311 (Non-UK) | Mobile: 07964 296 431 | Skype: rose_planUK | Address: Finsgate 5-7 Cranwood Street, London EC1V 9LH

Notes to editors

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· giving children a healthy start in life, including access to safe drinking water

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· working with communities to prepare for and survive disasters

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· enabling families to earn a living and plan for their children’s future.

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4) Plan was founded by British journalist John Langdon-Davies in 1937 to rescue orphans and other vulnerable children from the Spanish Civil War.

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