Mexico Earthquake Relief Fund

While natural disasters are inevitable, their long-term impacts are often amplified by pre-existing inequalities, marginalization, and environmental degradation.  When crisis-stricken communities have the power to make decisions at the local level throughout the recovery process, there is the opportunity to build resilience to the impact of future disasters. Now, almost three years after the devastating September 2017 earthquakes in Mexico, GlobalGiving’s locally led nonprofit partners continue to lead long-term recovery efforts by focusing on new models of collaboration, perspectives on gender roles, and interaction with the local environment. 

Thanks to your generous support of the Mexico Earthquake Relief Fund, GlobalGiving made a new series of grants at the start of 2020. Here are a few highlights of how our partners are already hard at work:

Stabilizing Livelihoods through New Economic Opportunities 

• In response to the economic hardship faced by women affected by the 2017 earthquake in Oaxaca, Binni Bianniis rolling out a business model that incorporates market analysis, seed capital, and a prototype-based methodology allowing artisans to create and grow networks for hand-made huaraches (shoes).
• Proyecto Impacto Consultores, A.C. is partnering with several local nonprofit organizations to carry out a variety of recovery projects in the state of Chiapas. For example, it is supporting the final repairs needed by several community schools along the coast of Chiapas. It is also contributing to the reconstruction efforts of a training center in Santiago el Pinar that is focused on integral development and leadership training for artisan women.

Ecological Resilience 

• To conserve water resources in the face of longer drought periods in earthquake-impacted communities, Investigación y Soluciones Ambientals, A.C. is using cutting edge eco-technology and building a demonstration water harvesting system. Along with increasing local awareness about sustainable water management, the organization is protecting the groundwater supply of local communities through the provision of ecological toilets. 

Holistic Infrastructure Recovery

• In the Istmo of Tehuantepec, Oaxaca, where many homes collapsed or suffered serious damage, families also lost their work and inventory spaces. Espacio de Encuentro de las Culturas Originarias, A.C. is addressing this gap in recovery efforts by building three communal spaces in San Mateo del Mar, San Juan Guichicovi and Santiago Lachiguiri that will allow artisan women to work in safe working conditions and have a shared space for workshops and speaker series.
• Centro para los Derechos de la Mujer Nääxwiin A.C. leads a reconstruction committee in Río Pachiñe, a community that faced so much devastation after the earthquake it seemed as though residents might have to relocate. This committee has not only brought hope back to Río Pachiñe, but it has transformed the way participants view their roles as leaders in their community: “Over these two years and 5 months of work, I have met many people, I’ve learned to offer my help, and now I know that there are many people who want to jump in and offer support when the need arises”- Edgar, Reconstruction Committee member

Thank you for your generous support of a community-led, long-term approach to disaster recovery.

Sincerely,

Andrea + GlobalGiving Team 

This past August, GlobalGiving’s Mexico Field and Evaluation Team traveled around the country to visit with our nonprofit partners and to experience firsthand the revitalization of communities affected by the 2017 Mexico Earthquakes. 

These visits, conducted by our incredible team of eight field travelers, were an invaluable opportunity to explore the progress achieved by our nonprofit partners in the two years since the disaster. All reports pointed to measurable successes made possible through recovery funds raised by GlobalGiving donors like you. 

From learning about the economic importance of traditional ovens in the Afro-Mexican community of Pinotepa Nacional to walking down a street filled with freshly-painted murals breathing life back into the earthquake-stricken Huejotengo, field travelers were met with stories of resilience in each location that they visited. Here’s what they’d like you to know about the project you’ve funded:

Centro de Accion para el Desarollo CODICE, Oaxaca de Juarez, Oaxaca 

Current Project: Engaging the community in sustainable land-management practices, and recuperating economic losses after the earthquake through agroforestry production.

“At first, the local women I met with were reluctant to comment on the success of the program. As we began to visit the dozens of homes that were damaged or destroyed by the earthquake, the evidence of reconstruction was everywhere from wall reinforcements to complete home restoration. In this community, it is considered impolite to be self-congratulatory, and they preferred to let the tour of the completed work speak for itself.” 

• Nicté Tellez

AYOK A.C., Huejotengo, Morelos

Current Project: Strengthening women’s economic empowerment post-disaster through furniture building workshops and a new entrepreneurship program designed to market avocados as the main economic good. 

“I was very impressed with the confidence and empowerment that AYOK has achieved in the community of Huejotengo. They have given hope to many that it is possible to prevent future destruction and recover from an event such as the 2017 earthquake.” 

• Alejandra Avila 

Manos que Reconstruyen Oaxaca, A.C., Ixtaltepec, Oaxaca

Current Project: Preserving the Zapotec culture and revitalizing the local economy through the creation of neighborhood murals and organizing traditional crafts workshops in marginalized communities.

“Community members come together to complete service projects around the community, like cleaning up the local river. Service credits can then be used to learn skills and complete activities at the community center (like hammock weaving and pottery).  While the organization is relatively new (formed after the earthquakes), it is well-run and is well-respected by its constituents.” 

• Chase Williams

Promotora de Servicios para el Desarrollo, S.C., Zacatepec Mixe, Oaxaca

Current Project: Risk mapping to reduce vulnerability to future disasters; diversifying and improving family income through cultivating a variety of crops.

“My visit to PRODER turned into a class immersed in the culture, geography, ecology, and tourism of the upper region of the Mixe mountain range. The knowledge that Fernando (Program Director) has to share and his rich, local expertise made this site visit an incredible experience.” 

• Nicté Tellez

Thanks to your support of GlobalGiving projects like these we can fuel long-term recoveryof local communities affected by a disaster. That is why two years after the earthquake, with your help, we continue to build the capacity of our nonprofit partners in Mexico through grants, convening opportunities, knowledge sharing, and disaster preparedness workshops. 

Many thanks for your support,

Andrea Osorio + the GlobalGiving Team