Mexico, Puebla and Morelos Earthquake Relief

In September 2017, Mexico suffered 8.2 earthquakes in different areas of the country, the destruction was devastating and in Oaxaca, the Istmo communities were greatly affected. Asunción Ixtaltepec was one of the most devastated communities, the population of 15,000 inhabitants lost 80% of their homes. The reconstruction process began with the participation of Civil Associations at different levels, from the creation of temporary homes to education.

Recently, ICF announced our commitment to support projects after two years of the earthquake. This outreach generated ten new project proposals in just one week after the announcement.  Clearly, the need is still present to help communities and local nonprofits in the affected regions. And we are proud to announce our winner: Manos que Reconstruyen Oaxaca, A.C. emerged with the objective of reviving the economy through the restructuring of the social fabric and the strengthening of the Zapoteca identity.

Manos que Reconstruyen Oaxaca AC emerged with the objective of reviving the economy through the restructuring of the social fabric and the strengthening of the Zapoteca identity. In 2019, although the physical reconstruction of homes and spaces advanced, the social fabric remained corrupted. That is why UMPO look for activities that unite the community and align with the Sustainable Development Goals. The affected community, in addition to requiring economic recovery, needs to support itself as a community itself and find local motivations to strengthen social cohesion.

The Community Center Una Mano Para Oaxaca, as well as the community cultural tourism program in Asunción Ixtaltepec, is a participatory economy initiative that frames the revitalization of the Zapotec culture as a central axis of action. The overall mission of the project is to position Asunción Ixtaltepec as a regional example of a sustainable community based on the recovery of traditional trades, through productive workshops, cultural events and community murals that pay homage to the guardians of traditional trades.

The solution we will be supporting is to promote conditions of community economy with emerging marketing strategies for the artisans of the town. Which consists of four stages of development:

1. Linking artisans with the community through productive workshops where they'll provide with economic remuneration for sharing intangible cultural heritage

2. Creation of a route of community murals that pay homage to emblematic artisans of the town.

3. Exchange of volunteer experiences with the artisans of our community and provide workshops for the transmission of skills to women and children attending the community center

4. Marketing through an online platform of the artisanal products of the community.

ICF honors and admires the efforts of people who came together in the face of tragedy and loss. We want to thank the hundreds of donors that allowed us to respond quickly to this emergency, as well as to continue our financial support over the past two years. We have strengthened our local and regional partnerships as a result, and our team has learned so much from this experience.