Photos below of the injured children being placed on board the C-17 in Guatemala, receiving enroute medical treatment and finally transferred to the Shriners Hospital for Children, Galveston, to receive further care for burns and other injuries sustained during the recent Fuego Volcano eruption. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Edward Staton)
The BBC reports that at least 192 people are missing and 75 are dead, with more than 1.7 million “affected” and with more than 3,000 evacuated after Sunday’s sudden and catastrophic eruption of Guatemala’s Volcán de Fuego.
A new explosion on Tuesday “sent hot gas and molten rock streaming down the volcano’s south side” interrupting rescue work
Numerous organizations are responding to the disaster by delivering humanitarian aid in the form of medical support, water, clothing, medicine, etc.
One of those organizations is, as usual, the U.S. military.
A U.S. Sothern Commad C-17 Globemaster III aircraft will transport six Guatemalan children injured by the eruption to the United States June 6 to receive medical treatment.
A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III from the 172nd Airlift Wing aircrew prepares to transport children and their guardians to Galveston, Texas, for medical treatment at Shriners Hospital for Children.
According to the command, the aircraft as well as a team of aeromedical evacuation, pediatric intensive care, and burn victim treatment specialists, will fly the children and their guardians to Galveston, Texas, to receive treatment at Shriners Hospital for Children for burns and other injuries sustained during the eruption.
The command has also donated equipment to assist Guatemalan emergency personnel working at the disaster site, consisting of hazardous gas detectors, tools, and personal protective equipment.
Lt Col Teri Neely, a flight nurse, and members of the Burn Team prepared to transport children and their guardians to Galveston, Texas, for medical treatment at Shriners Hospital for Children. A critical care air transport team from the 59th Medical Wing provided patient care en route.
The U.S. military has a long history of supporting countries and peoples affected by disasters.
You can help, too. Just Google “Disaster relief Guatemala” and open your heart and wallet.
Lead image credit REUTERS/Luis Echeverria via Air Mobility Command
The author is a retired U.S. Air Force officer and a writer.