Honduras 1974

International Operation Name: N/A

International Operation Dates:  N/A

Mandating Organization: Government of Canada

Region Name:  Central America

Location:  Honduras

Canadian Operation Name: (Honduras 1974)

Canadian Operation Dates: 1974/09/27 – 1974/10/26

Mission Mandate:

To airlift relief supplies to Honduras after Hurricane Fifi

Mission Notes:

On 18 September, Hurricane Fifi hit Honduras. The country was wholly unprepared for the hurricane, with over 1 million people living in high-risk areas,. Although only a category 2 hurricane, heavy rain over two days (60 cm in the first 24 hours) caused extensive flooding. Whole villages were swept away, 80 percent of the banana crop was destroyed, two-fifths of the nation's cattle drowned, most of the fishing fleet sank, and the facilities of Puerto Cortes, the most important port, were destroyed. Over 8,000 people were killed, making Fifi the fourth deadliest Atlantic hurricane on record. Over 100,000 people were left homeless.

Canada provided relief supplies on two occasions. On 27 September, one 436 Squadron Hercules flew to Honduras, delivering relief supplies and conducting several more such flight before returning to CFB Trenton on 4 October. Another flight was conducted from 25 to 26 October.