Shocking disaster hometown

BY KILLER EARTHQUAKE

er are all staying in tents along with everyone else. The people are living day to day.

“It’s a poor area in Mexico and people have very little, they don’t have everything, they don’t have pensions, they have lost their homes, bakers have lost their ovens, disabled children have lost their wheelchairs, they are all living in their gardens.

“The government said it would help and give around £6,000 each to people to help them rebuild their homes.

“They queued for hours and hours and were given debit cards but when they went to buy anything there was no money on the cards.

“It will be 10 years or so before they rebuild their homes.”

At least 37 people were killed and one out of three homes were left uninhabitable in the city of 75,000.

Karina added: “I stayed for the rest of my two-week holiday and helped.

“I drove 15 hours to Mexico City to get blankets and medical supplies and I want to help more.”

When Karina was in Mexico her husband Asa Buchanan set up a JustGiving page and raised more than £2,500 within 48 hours. Karina used it to buy medical supplies, blankets, tarpaulins and essential supplies.

Now they are raising more cash by holding a ‘Day of the Dead’ fundraising event in Newcastle.

Juchitan is known for its Day of the Dead celebrations between October 30 and 31.

In any other year, the streets are crammed with vendors selling yellow cempasuchil flowers and fruits that are used in the rituals. But this year the event has its own meaning.

Karina added: “It is devastating for the town, and we want to do as much as we can to help everyone.”

Anyone wanting to donate can visit https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/arribajuchitan Karina with another volunteer helping out with supplies in Juchitan