Training leaders has been one of the Nicaraguan Scouts priorities. Scouts have been active for the good of their society more than in many other countries. They gather used books to sponsor and equip small schools. They worked in Managua to relieve suffering when the great earthquake of 1972 struck and Hurricane Fifi wrecked Honduras. Nicaraguan Scouts also assisted during Hurricane Mitch of 1998, which left thousands dead and many more homeless. They assisted in disaster relief. They were mobilized in the mountainous areas to help with the search for survivors and remove the tons of dirt by hand from the remote highways so that relief and supplies could be brought in. The Scouts were recognized by the government and other world relief organizations for their assistance in the disaster relief, even though many of the Scouts themselves were victims of the hurricane.