Calls for Prayer, Help After Hurricane Otis Devastates Acapulco David Agren - OSV News
go to original October 27, 2023

Hurricane Otis in Acapulco: 'Desperate' people loot warehouses in flooded Mexican city (The Telegraph)

Mexico’s bishops expressed "closeness" with the affected populations and urged generosity after a monster Category 5 hurricane tore through Acapulco, leaving 27 dead and four people disappeared.

Cáritas México, meanwhile, mobilized a response to Hurricane Otis, which battered Acapulco around midnight Oct. 25 as the strongest hurricane to ever hit Mexico's Pacific Coast, according to the National Hurricane Center, causing widespread property damage and flooding, while leaving the tourist destination incommunicado.

Dioceses in Mexico have established collection centers to help the homeless amid widespread devastation.

"We are aware of the pain and anguish that overwhelms thousands of families who have lost their homes, property and livelihoods in these disaster areas. Many localities suffered serious damage to infrastructure, and found themselves prevented from accessing essential services," the Mexican bishops' conference said in an Oct. 25 statement.

"In these difficult times, we call for unity and fraternity among Mexicans. We urge the provision of generous assistance for those affected, especially the poorest and most vulnerable. May no one remain indifferent to the suffering of others," the statement continued.

"Spiritual and material accompaniment will be provided by dioceses and parishes to the fullest extent of our means. You are not alone, count on our prayers and the divine providence that never abandons us."

Press photos showed people looting grocery stores; journalists reported little presence of law enforcement or soldiers — with the latter famed in Mexico for responding rapidly to natural disasters.

The storm's devastation deepened the misery afflicting Acapulco in recent decades. Set on a picturesque bay with golden-sand beaches, Acapulco once glittered as the granddaddy of Mexican tourist destinations, but has been beset by neglect and drug cartel violence as visitors flock to other destinations such as Cancún.

Some observers in Mexico criticized the president for failing to prioritize disaster readiness.

López Obrador eliminated a series of public trusts — alleging unproven corruption claims — used for responding to events such as storms and earthquakes in 2020, arguing the money would be spent on the COVID pandemic response.

Read the rest at ANGELUS

Related: Mexican Officials Say Supplies Are Getting Into Acapulco and People Are Getting Out (Associated Press)

Related: Hurricane Disaster in Mexico Spurs Criticism of AMLO Response (Bloomberg)

Related: Mexico’s President Cut Disaster Fund Two Years Before Hurricane Otis (Independent UK)

Related: Mass Looting Breaks Out in Acapulco After Utter Devastation of Hurricane Otis (Daily Mail)

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