Thousands of people fled the Mexican city devastated by floods after rising waters burst through sandbag barriers. REUTERS/Tomas Bravo (MEXICO)

Westport, Conn. (November 2, 2007)  —  Save the Children is mobilizing staff and resources to assist children and families in the flood-devastated state of Tabasco, located on Mexico's southern Gulf coast.

More than 1 million people have had their homes flooded, damaged or isolated by the rising waters, the result of heavy, weeklong rains that have pushed rivers out of their banks. About two-thirds of the state is under water, according to the state government, and some 300,000 people are still trapped in their homes. More than 300 schools and 100 health centers have been flooded.

Mexican authorities are calling this the worst natural disaster the country has seen.

"Save the Children is on the ground and moving quickly to assist families in Tabasco survive this crisis," said Ned Olney, associate vice president for the agency's global emergencies unit. "People are fleeing for their lives with little to carry them through the coming hours, days and weeks. Children are particularly at risk as they are caught up in the chaos of evacuation and the search for shelter on higher ground."

In addition, health authorities are warning that waterborne disease, including cholera, may add to the misery of survivors.

"Children are facing serious threats, and we need to move quickly to ensure their safety," said Olney. "And with weather forecasts calling for additional rain over the next few days, the situation is only going to become more grave."

Save the Children's response will focus on meeting the immediate needs of the displaced children and families, including clean water, food and shelter.

Save the Children has been working in Mexico for nearly 40 years. Save the Children is part of the Save the Children Alliance which works in more than 100 countries, responding to humanitarian crises and implementing development programs to improve the lives of children in need.

You can help Save the Children respond to emergencies that put at great risk the survival, protection, and well-being of significant numbers of children. By contributing to the Children’s Emergency Fund, you enable us to respond immediately to children and families who urgently need our help when disasters strike.