COVID-19 Guatemalan Captains and Crews Family Relief Effort

Due to the effect of COVID-19 on the Guatemala sportfishing industry, the Billfish Conservation Organization has come up with a project that will provide local captains and crews emergency food and essential hygiene supplies. Please see the details below if you’d like to contribute. Some of you have already made direct personal contributions and we know these have been very gratefully received.

Situation: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected food security for hundreds of thousands of Guatemala’s most vulnerable people. Right now, 1.2 million people are currently in need of emergency food aid, including many in the sportfishlng community. The situation is exacerbated due to low public investment, lack of adequate health infrastructure and large gaps in access to basic supplies. The local captains, crews and their families that we all know have been particularly hard hit, due to border closures and their reliance on seasonal angling tourism. Members of Club Nautico de Guatemala have already begun efforts to help the sportflshing community by distributing food as well as hygiene and disinfection kits, but more help is needed.

Response: Provide emergency food and essential hygiene supplies to families in the Guatemalan sportfishing community by purchasing, assembling, and distributing “Basic Needs Kits” to as many families as possible, as quickly a.s possible. The goal is to distribute 150 “Basic Needs Kits” before the end of July. In addition to food staples and hygiene supplies, each kit will contain reusable facemasks for all family members. The kits will also include health and hygiene information related to COVI0-19 prevention. Each kit, which is designed to accommodate a family of four (4) for twenty-six (26) days, will cost less than $70 US, including preparation and distribution.

How you can help: Send a tax-deductible donation to The Billfish Conservation Project, Inc., at 10300 SUNSET DRIVE 13S, MIAMI, Fl 33173, or via bank transfer at:
Beneficiary Bank Information
Ocean Bank
780 Northwest 42nd Avenue Miami, Fl 33126-5536
ASA/Routing#: 066011392
Account#: 2526329305
Swift/Bic Code: OCBKUS3M (International Use)
Beneficiary/Recipient
Billfish Conservation Project Inc
10300 Sunset Drive, Suite 135 Miami, FL 33173
P- 1-888-431-5556
E: ivanmanuel@billfishconservation.org
Contact: JUAN MANUEL COBAR
juanmanuel@billfishconservation.org

In addition to receiving a gift acknowledgment receipt, each donor will receive a report on the relief effort results with photos.

Note: donations received later than end of July will be accepted and used to help the local Captains and mates.