World Food Programme Fighting Hunger Worldwide

This photo shows what was left of the dwelling of Maria Mendez Perez, who along with her husband and her four children, now take refuge in a hostel. The majority of homes affected were built with clay and straw just like this one, and have become inhabitable.

The wood gathered at the centre of this tumbled home of Vicente Mendez is a silent witness to what was the kitchen and bedroom for this family of 12. The couple and their children spent the night in a shelter that was established in the local school.

Along with the Mendez family, many others were affected by the loss of homes. This little girl, named Juana, observes what is left of her home after the earthquake. The families have started to clean up the rubbish, and to build small areas to save remaining material belongings.

A few buildings remain standing, but the amount of damage they sustained makes them dangerous and impossible to live in. This is the what remains of the front of the Mendez home. Augustina Mendez and her two sons have been staying at a shelter with another 53 people.

The face of this indigenous mother in the Los Mendez community reflects her sadness after the earthquake, as most of the community lost both their personal belongings and humble homes.

Casildo Mendez looks at the site where until Wednesday 7th November his home stood. Now, all that remains is the kitchen. Casildo and the other four members of his family have been using that space as their shelter.

The kitchen of Candelaria Perez, built with dung and straw, did not withstand the force of the earthquake. The stove, although outdoor, is still functional.

The water system in the community suffered structural damage, as did the area's electrical lines. The community now must rely on its reserve water tank.

Efrain Vasques and his daughter Candelaria show where they lived with the other eight members of their family.

The World Food Programme lends a hand, and with the support of its Governmental counterparts, delivered 370 individual rations of food to this community. These rations will cover the necessary food requirements of the community for the next five days.