Norwich has been helping El Viejo in Nicaragua for 26 years.

Volcano threatens Norwich’s twin city in Nicaragua

Sunday, September 9, 2012
12:59 PM

A volcano has caused ash to fall on Norwich’s twin city in Nicaragua.

Around 3,000 people have been evacuated from their homes after the country’s tallest volcano erupted, billowing smoke and ash almost three miles into the sky.

The explosions in the San Cristobal volcano caused ash to fall on El Viejo, which Norwich formed a friendship link with 26 years ago.

The friendship was created to help with education, alleviate poverty and to improve awareness of the situation in Nicaragua as it emerged from a brutal dictatorship.

Over the past 26 years the group has helped pay for children to go to school and rebuild homes after Hurricane Mitch struck the country in 1998.