Congressman Inspects Destruction Caused by Hurricane Communities Rebuild In The Wake Of The Storm

U.S. Rep. Gary Ackerman of Queens recently returned from Honduras and Nicaragua with Tipper Gore and pitcher Dennis Martinez of the Atlanta Braves after assisting in disaster relief efforts for those devastated by Hurricane Mitch.
Ackerman, Gore, Martinez and others spent the 2 day presidential mission delivering supplies such as food, water and medicine. They also helped build emergency medical clinics and traveled to existing disaster centers to visit with the people affected by the destruction.
In one instance, Ackerman reportedly shoveled several feet of mud out of a kindergarten school which with his help was later transformed into a medical shelter.
"This tragedy is almost indescribable. We found total devastation," said Ackerman who added that "People who had nothing lost everything. The damage and human suffering is catastrophic. It is a tragedy of biblical proportions."
Hurricane Mitch has killed thousands in Central America and is believed to be the most devastating hurricane in 200 years.
According to Ackerman’s office Honduras and Nicaragua and Honduras were hardest hit with more than 6,000 killed in Honduras and 3,800 dying in Nicaragua.
The United States has offered more than $250 million in aid to those affected by the hurricane.