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Nicaragua reported 5887 confirmed cases of COVID-19and 162 related deaths on 9 December. However, independent health organisations estimate the number of cases to be much higher. Hospitals are reportedly understaffed and struggling to cope with the pandemic. There are also increasing rates of malnutrition throughout the country. Nicaragua has not officially imposed any domestic travel restrictions or national quarantine policies. Additionally, in November, Hurricanes Eta and Iota both hit Nicaragua, causing flooding, destruction and fatalities.
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Thank you for praying for children and families in Nicaragua who have been impacted by COVID-19—and the local staff and churches who continue to serve them in difficult circumstances.
When COVID-19 struck Nicaragua, the already struggling country saw a rise in unemployment, especially in rural communities. The ability to provide nutritious food for their children became a challenge for parents and caregivers. Read more open_in_new
The situation
The zone most affected by Hurricane Iota is still inaccessible in many places, with no electricity, cell phone or internet connection, overflowing rivers and streams, and impassable roads. The local government and army is trying to clear roads and is cleaning debris. In many areas, access is only possible on foot or via motorcycles.
Global Compassion impact
Number of local church partners affected: 1 Number of Compassion assisted children affected: 1221
New information
The affected families are moving towards stability, with the support of the churches and local government. Many families are still living in temporary locations while homes are being repaired. Compassion Nicaragua plans to provide additional recovery support to rebuild homes utilising funds from an upcoming proposal for an Infrastructure project. Legal ownership of land is providing challenges and delays in the rebuilding process. Two local church partners (NI332 and NI0364) located in the most affected southern region are delaying their restart of programming until at least March 2021 to allow focus on the recovery efforts.
Prayer
Thank you for your prayers for the affected children, families and church partners. Please continue to pray for the recovery efforts that will most likely be a long process.
The situation
The zone most affected by Hurricane Iota is still inaccessible in many places, with no electricity, cell phone or internet connection, overflowing rivers and streams, and impassable roads. The local government and army is trying to clear roads and is cleaning debris. In many areas, access is only possible on foot or via motorcycles.
Global Compassion impact
Number of local church partners affected: 1 Number of Compassion assisted children affected: 1221
New information
It continues to be challenging to get specific updates from the local church partners, but they are providing updates as they are able to. NI0330 reports that they are having communication and power challenges, as well as a bridge near the church fell. The local fire department is helping people get access over the river to purchase food. NI0332 reports that the conditions for the children, families, as well as the church members are very difficult, with almost everything including homes, roads and crops, destroyed. They have obtained land for three Compassion assisted children, so their families can rebuild on higher and safer ground. NI0364 reports that there is great impact to the community, as well as the church. The church buildings (office, classrooms) have been flooded, the water well is destroyed, and they have lost their musical instruments.
Prayer
Please pray continue to pray fervently for the children, families, staff, and church partners as they try to recover from damages as well as support others.
Global Compassion impact
Number of local church partners affected: 2 Number of Compassion assisted children affected: 232
New information
The affected families are now safe and well supported. All but a few families have returned to their homes which have been repaired. The few that haven’t returned have permanently relocated to live in a safer location or with relatives.
Prayer
Thank you for your prayers for the affected children, families, church partners and staff.
The situation
Relief and recovery efforts continue in Nicaragua.
Global Compassion impact
Number of local church partners affected: 2 Number of Compassion assisted children affected: 232
New information
Affected families have flood water in their homes, lost household items, and/or damaged homes. They are being supported as needed.
Prayer
Please continue to pray for protection, provision, and peace for affected children, families, church partners and staff.
The situation
The hurricane made landfall on the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua and passed through the towns of Madriz, Nueva Segovia, and Jinotega. People living in the most at-risk areas were evacuated, as flooding and overflowing rivers are expected.
Global Compassion impact
Number of local church partners affected: 0 Number of Compassion assisted children affected: 796
New information
Fortunately, no deaths or injuries have been reported. The national office intends to request funding for infrastructure for the construction and repair of damaged or destroyed homes. The affected families have been supported with food, shelter materials, blankets and mats.
Prayer
Please continue to pray for the protection, provision and peace of children, families, church partners and staff throughout Nicaragua.
The situation
The hurricane made landfall on the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua and passed through the towns of Madriz, Nueva Segovia, and Jinotega. The heavy rainfall is expected to last for the remainder of this week. People living in the most at-risk areas were evacuated, as flooding and overflowing rivers are expected.
Global Compassion impact
Number of local church partners affected: not yet confirmed Number of Compassion assisted children affected: 159
New information
The local church partners and National Disaster Response team are monitoring the situation and assessing impact. They are facing power outages and communication problems which is making impact reporting difficult.
Prayer
Please pray for the protection, provision and peace of children, families, church partners and staff throughout Nicaragua.
Please note: Due to the current pandemic, most child development centres in Nicaragua are temporarily closed. Local church partners continue to meet the urgent needs of the children through home-based care.
Compassion’s program is contextualised across countries and communities, as well as age groups.
Compassion assisted children in Nicaragua typically attend program activities at their local child development centre after school and on Saturdays. Here is an example of what a typical program day looks like for children in Nicaragua.
Devotional time - Children learn to pray.
Spiritual lessons - Children sing songs and learn Bible stories.
Break time - Children can play in a safe environment and develop friendships.
Social-emotional lessons - Children learn conflict resolution skills and how to develop healthy self-esteem. Many children come from challenging home environments and are taught social and personal skills.
Lunch and social time - Children usually receive a meal consisting of rice, meat, tortilla and natural juice, tea or cereal. Children sometimes receive a snack of fruit salad, rice with milk or a thick hot drink made from corn meal.
Health lessons - Children learn practical health and hygiene tips.
Letter writing and career planning - Older children work with local staff to identify their strengths and interests and set goals for their future.
The children also enjoy camps, sports, field trips and art. Students can participate in vocational training workshops in music, computer literacy, sewing, carpentry, baking, hair styling, entrepreneurship and handicrafts. Parents and caregivers meet monthly.
years is the average life expectancy
of people over 15 cannot read and write
of people lack access to proper sanitation
Nicaragua spiralled into crisis in 2018, with political protest erupting into widespread violence. Thousands fled the country, most heading south into Costa Rica, and life is increasingly difficult. In the grip of the COVID-19 pandemic, information has been slow to emerge and the nation’s President, Daniel Ortega has publicly dismissed the risks.
In April 2018, the Ortega government announced reforms to Nicaragua’s pension system. The announcement was greeted by initial protests that were crushed by pro-government groups, but the heavy-handed response triggered widespread outrage, mass protests across the country, and ever more violence. More than 300 people were killed and thousands injured.
In the years since his crackdown on the protests, President Ortega and his wife, Rosario Murillo, who is the nation’s vice-president, have seized even more power, taking full control over all branches of government.
After a long history of colonisation and military rule, Nicaragua has struggled to provide its citizens with basic services. Most of its wealth is held by a small group of wealthy families. The majority of Nicaraguans subsist on very low wages and children have been the worst affected.
In the early part of this decade, Nicaragua had made some economic progress: its economy was growing and it had largely avoided the cartel and gang-related crime racking its northern neighbours, El Salvador and Honduras.
But progress has stalled under the COVID-19 pandemic. As in several other Central and South American nations, medical experts have questioned the official data as hospitals have struggled to keep up with a growing number of cases.
Many children face a new threat of hunger, and the ever-present risks of gang life and child labour trap thousands.
Local churches continue to reach out to children living in poverty, helping them to gain access to education, nutrition and the love of Jesus expressed through the local church.
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