Farmers and Staff Safe After Nicaragua Earthquake

At 5:27 p.m. on April 10, 2014, a 6.1-magnitude earthquake centered near Lake Managua in Nicaragua occurred. The earthquake was felt throughout the country, but the most affected areas were Nagarote in the department of Leon and Mateare and parts of the city of Managua in the department of Managua. In these areas, it has been reported that thousands of buildings have been damaged and at least 100 people have been injured. One fatality has been reported.

The president of Nicaragua issued a red alert for the entirety of April 11, and public and private schools as well as universities have been canceled for the day as a preventative measure.

All Heifer International Nicaragua staff members are safe and sound, and they have taken security measures at the office. Heifer Nicaragua projects are not located in the most affected areas, and no project participants or project counterparts have reported injuries, damages or losses.

Three aftershocks of lesser intensity have been reported this morning. After 11 a.m., Heifer Nicaragua employees left to finish the work day at their respective houses, where they will follow the security measures outlined by the National System for the Prevention of Disasters.