Following Hurricane Beta’s devastation in 2005, OBI is continuing to provide relief for cities along Nicaragua's Atlantic Coast by constructing a second rice mill.

Farmers from as far as 60 miles away are bringing their rice to the 400 sq. ft. mill, which supports up to eight communities and 2,000 residents.

NICARAGUA - When Hurricane Beta hit Nicaragua in 2005, the devastation was immense. However, there was a by-product not many expected: a high yield of rice crops.

In the rural cities along the Atlantic Coast of Nicaragua, processing the abundance of rice became a daunting task, especially since there was no rice mill to grind and help separate the kernels, which are encased in an inedible husk.

"There was not a rice mill in this region before the hurricane," said Peter Coleman, executive field director with Peace and Hope Trust, Inc. who partnered with OBI to help the affected areas.

"The damage from the hurricane substantially increased the growing capacity and fertile land by many times its original capacity," he added. "Food security was a major issue as was economic recovery after so much destruction."

OBI and Coleman's team of two paid nationals and 25 volunteers built a rice mill that was completed in January 2006. The 400 square foot concrete structure is more resistant to severe weather and is fully equipped with new machinery to harvest and process the rice.

The mill, which supports eight communities and up to 2,000 residents, is the model for a second rice mill currently under construction in Esperanza, a community devastated by tidal surges. The $30,000 project is scheduled to be completed this year.

"Farmers from as far as 60 miles away are bringing their rice to the mill," Coleman said. "This is significant for many reasons, but particularly because this region has no roads. All transportation and communication is done by water travel on the river."

In addition to the construction of the mills, a concrete wharf was built to replace fragments of a wooden dock. A 32-foot boat that can carry up to eight tons of goods and equipment was also donated.

A multi-purpose community center, which is currently under construction, will be used to store blankets, supply seeds, and provide medical care, food and dry goods. The center will also serve as a shelter during future hurricanes.

HOW YOU CAN HELP
You can help by making an online donation toward OBI's disaster relief efforts. With your support, we can continue to provide emergency relief and recovery. Please make an on-line donation today.

 

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