Hurricane, Earthquake in Latin America

Hurricane Pauline struck the Pacific coast of Mexico and Guatemala in October 1997 with winds up to 120 miles per hour. Damage was reported to several member homes in both countries, and two Church meetinghouses were used as emergency shelters in hard-hit Acapulco, Mexico. Responding to the concern of local civic authorities about malaria, dengue, and other waterborne diseases, the Central America Area Presidency approved a temporary clinic staffed by volunteer doctors and nurses in La Gomera, Guatemala, to provide medicine to Church members and others. Help was provided to members by local leaders in accordance with Church welfare principles.

Also in October, an earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale struck off the coast of Chile about 190 miles north of Santiago. Minor damage to two Church meetinghouses was reported, the homes of 40 members were damaged, and 20 adobe homes belonging to members were destroyed. Other member families helped assemble emergency wooden structures to assist members who lost their homes.