Chicagoans to hold fundraiser for victims of volcano eruption in Guatemala

The Civic and Cultural Society of Guatemala in Chicago will hold a prayer night and a fundraiser to aid the victims of the powerful eruption of Fuego volcano in their native country this past Sunday.

Aside from monetary donations, the organization will also collect food and clothes this Saturday, June 9 at the Latin Patio restaurant located at 3115 N. Central Ave.

“We invite people from all countries (to participate) because this is a huge tragedy and we feel deep sorrow for our country,” said Pablo Pineda, president of the Civic and Cultural Society of Guatemala.

Pineda added that the organization assures that the donations will be sent "through appropriate channels so that help gets to the hands of the victims.”

The Fuego volcano in Guatemala, 25 miles southeast of the capital, erupted on Sunday, shooting ash 14,700 feet in the air above sea level and covering the southern villages with rocks, ash and mud.

The death toll has risen to at least 69 according to Guatemala’s national disaster agency Conred and only 17 of the victims have been identified. The rest remain missing or unknown.

The eruption has affected nearly 1.7 million people. More than 3,200 people were evacuated from the villages that were affected the most and were settled in the nine temporary shelters that have been set up.

Fast streams of pyroclastic flow engulfed hundreds of houses for nearly 17 hours straight, killing the residents within. The village of El Rodeo was the community that was harshly damaged. Other affected cities include Alotenango and San Miguel Los Lotes.

Pyroclastic flow is a mix of gas and volcanic material such as ash that travels at very high speeds —typically greater than 50 miles per hour— which makes an escape by foot without warning very difficult, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales declared three days of national mourning, and their main airport has been closed off.