World Food Programme Fighting Hunger Worldwide

Tropical Depression 12E also brought its share of calamities to Nicaragua, the second poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. The most affected departments are Chinandega, Leon, Managua, Nueva Segovia, Madriz, Carazo, Rivas, Masaya, Granada and Rivas.This rural community in Leon was completely flooded.

Nicaragua has Central America's largest lakes named Nicaragua and Managua. Rising waters of the Managua Lake flooded the main street of San Francisco Libre town. Only boats can use it nowadays. More than 100,000 people have been affected by bad weather over the last two weeks.

After many days of rain, the grounds became saturated with water and the rivers overflowed into the lower lands, affecting houses and crops. The Government of Nicaragua reports that 15% of maize and 15% of beans crops have been either damaged or lost.

The crops are green, but they will not yield any sorghum. Small farmer Modesto looks at what could have been a good harvest this year in this agricultural cooperative located in Malacatoya, just one hour outside of Managua. Crops are a total loss.

Lost dreams: Juan looks at what is left of his maize crop. He and another 20 families belonging to this Tipitapa cooperative lost their livelihoods. They only hope that the next agricultural season will be better. The next harvest will be in 10 months from now: in August 2012.

WFP, FAO and the Government conducted an emergency rapid needs assessment in 10 of the 13 most affected provinces. WFP staff member William Vigil looks at what is left of a maize field in Tipitapa.

WFP and FAO worked shoulder to shoulder with the Ministry of Agriculture and local municipal authorities on the emergency rapid needs assessment. This coordination meeting is taking place in Achuapa, department of Leon, one of the most affected areas by Tropical Depression 12E in Nicaragua.

On the road with WFP: WFP responded swiftly to the Government´s request for assistance. Here more than 250 metric tons of food are on their way from a WFP warehouse in Sébaco to Estelí (north of the country). In all some 10,146 displaced Nicaraguans are living in 104 shelters are a result of the floods.