The president of the Inter-American Development Bank, Enrique Iglesias, is visiting Central America to assess the damage caused by Hurricane Mitch.

Speaking in Nicaragua before travelling on to Honduras, Mr Iglesias said he would work towards securing long-term funding for the region.

But he added that Central American governments must do their part to avoid the mis-use of resources.

The region's presidents are preparing to meet international financial institutions and creditor nations in Washington next month to begin working out a strategy for reconstruction after the devastating storm.