Missouri students are waiting to find out if their trip to Honduras to work with local residents on water safety and filtration issues will be canceled by Sunday’s military coup. Members of Engineers Without Borders at the Missouri University of Science and Technology will have a conference call with their national board tomorrow. If the political situation is judged to be too dangerous, the trip, planned for August 2nd to 12th, could be pushed back to December.
Engineers Without Borders works in 47 countries that, according to its website, are “usually off the radar of larger aid organizations”. Each chapter makes a five-year commitment to a developing world village and trains non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and volunteers to monitor the area after the group leaves. The MS&T chapter of Engineers Without Borders has visited Santiago several times, and last year installed a 2000 gallon water tank and worked with villagers on improving water sanitation, filtration and rainwater collection. This year, the group intends to build another tank and install a pump to bring water from the bottom of a steep ridge to the town’s population of around six thousand. Dustin Bales, a senior from Sedalia who has worked with Engineers Without Borders for three years, also noted that the group would also be working to further improve sanitation and reduce standing water, which can carry serious diseases including dengue fever.
The coup, during which the Army forcibly detained President Manuel Zelaya and flew him to Costa Rica in exile, ended months of political uproar regarding Mr. Zelaya’s attempts to lift presidential term limits. Roberto Michelleti, President of the Congress, has taken his place despite condemnation from foreign governments, including a statement from President Barack Obama. According to the United States Embassy in Tegucigalpa, no travel warning has been issued, the border is open and Continental, Delta, and American Airlines are still in operation. However, no nonessential travel is being permitted and though there have been no reports of violence, American citizens are being advised to stay in their homes or hotels unless absolutely necessary.
Student members of Engineers Without Borders have been monitoring the news since Sunday. According to current president Katie Fritts, members have been in constant contact with other humanitarian groups and individuals within Honduras, some of whom are attempting to leave the country. The group is “very well connected”, Fritts says. Doctor Richard Stephenson, the group’s faculty advisor, said that the organization has been in contact with Washington Overseas Missions of Washington, Missouri, and Doctor Raul Argarte, the “alcalde”, or mayor, of the region which encompasses Santiago, in order to ascertain the seriousness of the situation. If a travel advisory is issued, the national body of Engineers Without Borders will not permit the group to leave. “Safety is paramount”, Dr. Stephenson said. “Things are so fluid now” that it is unclear what the national body will decide.
That sentiment was reiterated by Mr. Bales. “This is a very, very new political disruption.” Bales said that everything was on hold, and could be in a state of flux for a period of weeks or months. He guessed that the national body would probably recommend going to Honduras but staying in close contact with American and Honduran officials.
More information on last year’s visit to Santiago here.