Guatemala continues to recover from the eruption of Fuego Volcano

Americas Now

The 2018 eruption of the Fuego Volcano in Guatemala decimated entire villages. The final death toll may never be known. Hundreds remain missing

Fuego Volcano has been continuously active for the last several decades. So when it erupted in 2018 it didn’t come as a surprise. What did cause astonishment was the intensity of the blast and the speed with which it brought destruction to communities.

Months after the event, Guatemalan officials, volunteers and residents of the area are still re-evaluating their efforts after receiving criticism for their lackluster response to the disaster.

Correspondent Harris Whitbeck travelled to Los Lotes, Guatemala to bring us an update on the region’s recovery.

According to the World Risk Index, Guatemala is the fourth most disaster-prone country in the world. Its high ranking is attributed to the country’s mountainous terrain and the presence of three active volcanos. The countries ahead of Guatemala on the list — the Philippines, Tonga and Vanuatu.