This day, we are going to get our minds off of insurance for a moment to call attention to, and help insure the well-being of the people of the country of Guatemala. They are in the midst of experiencing a traumatic volcanic eruption and their story has not had much media attention but deserves it.

Guatemala is a Central American country south of Mexico, and is home to beautiful rainforests, ancient Mayan sites, and volcanoes. . The capital, Guatemala City, features the stately National Palace of Culture and the National Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology. Antigua is west of the capital and it contains preserved Spanish colonial buildings. Lake Atitlán, formed in a massive volcanic crater, is surrounded by coffee fields and villages.

Recently, Guatemala’s Volcan de Fuego, “Volcano of Fire” erupted. At last count, at least 99 people have died, but there are more than 200 people unaccounted for so the number is certain to increase. Firefighters in the nearby town of San Miguel Los Lotes are not hopeful, saying the possibility of finding survivors is unlikely. The weather is creating an additional burden for first responders, as rain has hardened the thick ash, making rescue efforts extremely difficult. Ash, mud and debris are now more likely due to the rain.

Efrain Suarez walks through a barren terrain near the Volcan de Fuego, or “Volcano of Fire,” in San Miguel Los Lotes, Guatemala on Wednesday.  (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)

Just like the volcanic eruption on the Big Island of Hawaii, there are warnings of new flows of lava descending down throughout the canyons on the volcano’s western slope, toward the Pantaleon River. As you can imagine, people in Guatemala are panicked, uncertain and need assistance now.

Rescue workers remove piles of ash spewed by the Volcan de Fuego, or “Volcano of Fire,” eruption, in El Rodeo, Guatemala on Wednesday.  (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

Volcanic eruptions in Guatemala are not uncommon. But people in the area were used to small spits and spurts. Not this, when a huge cloud of ash shot out of the volcano, with lava pouring down the sides of the mountain.  Residents say their entire village disappeared within a matter of three to four minutes, becoming smothered in lava. Entire families were lost.

Now, at least 3,500 people are living in shelters. They are the fortunate ones, who left before the lava and ash rendered them helpless. But what now? Some families have a local support system, and many do not. They were scurrying to leave and could take very few possessions with them.

At Partner’s Direct Insurance, taking care of people is embedded in our DNA. We have a heart for the region, and want to help the people of Guatemala who are suffering. They are not getting the world’s attention and resources that they need. Here is a list of organizations that are actively involved in trying to alleviate the suffering. This should not be a forgotten tragedy, and we want to work to make sure it is not.

All our best,

Partner’s Direct Insurance