After Mexico’s record storm, survivors say only tourist areas are getting the love
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In the month since Otis struck, residents of Cerrito de Oro, and across Coyuca de Benítez – in Ejido Viejo, San Isidro, Yetla, El Bodornal, and other towns – have been left wondering why help has failed to come, perpetuating a history of poverty and neglect.
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The amount of debris the hurricane left behind, the uncollected trash accumulating in the streets – attracting insects and rats – compounded by the lack of sanitation and access to clean water has been making residents increasingly sick with stomach infections, diarrhoea, skin rashes, and respiratory diseases. Children are the most seriously affected, while hospitals and health centres are difficult to reach or only functioning at limited capacity. The presence of stagnant water is also threatening to cause outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue or Zika.
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To avoid future catastrophes in a region that is particularly vulnerable to the planet’s increasingly extreme weather events, experts say it’s urgent for Mexico to work more on preparedness.
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“When a disaster like Otis hit, it unleashes a domino effect for the population. If children don’t go to school after four months, dropouts skyrocket. Women are hit 14 times more by disasters than men, just because of the care roles we have by gender,” she added.
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