MANAGUA, NICARAGUA - U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Andrew Cuomo said today that the Clinton Administration is seeking new opportunities to work with American businesses and non-profit groups to help Nicaragua and Honduras rebuild homes and communities destroyed by Hurricane Mitch.

President Clinton sent Cuomo to visit Nicaragua today and Honduras on Friday to report on actions the United States can take to assist rebuilding efforts. The Secretary was part of a group that included Senators Pete Domenici of New Mexico and Bill Frist of Tennessee, along with USAID Deputy Administrator Hattie Babbitt.

The group met with Nicaraguan Vice President Enrique Bolanos and officials working on reconstruction efforts to discuss hurricane damage and rebuilding plans.

"It's tragic to see thousands of men, women, and children struggling to survive each day and sleep each night without a roof over their heads," Cuomo said. "While nothing can erase the terrible toll of death, destruction and human suffering caused by Hurricane Mitch, we will work to help the victims of this storm rebuild their homes and rebuild their lives."

"The Clinton Administration is committed to assisting in reconstruction efforts in Nicaragua and Honduras," Cuomo added. "HUD will work with our partners to introduce cutting-edge building technologies and help develop the country's building codes and land use policies."

After the meeting, Cuomo and the delegation were traveling by helicopter to the town of Posoltega to view the mud slide where many people were killed. The group was also visiting hurricane-ravaged Ciudad Dario, and stopping by a church that has been converted to a relief center for hundreds of those left homeless.

Cuomo was also meeting with the Nicaraguan Housing Minister and leaders of public and private housing organizations.

Mitch roared through parts of Central America in September on a deadly path killing thousands. Hundreds of thousands of people were left homeless in Nicaragua alone when the storm damaged or destroyed their homes.

Earlier this fall, Cuomo visited Puerto Rico, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic in the wake of Hurricane Georges. HUD officials then returned in October and are continuing to assist with reconstruction efforts.