Hurricane Mitch has set progress in the region back by at least a decade, with damage estimated at over $4 billion. The affected countries will not be able to rebuild without a massive infusion of international aid. Just as important as levels of aid is the goal of the reconstruction effort. Participants at this week’s meeting are confronted with two choices: restore the status quo of widespread poverty, social inequality, and environmental degradation, or create a new model of development that is socially and environmentally sustainable. Oxfam calls upon donors to meet the challenge by pledging long-term support, through debt cancellation and aid.