Heavy rains, landslides and flooding have necessitated the evacuation
of several thousand people in the capital San Salvador and in the
western department of Sonsonate and San Vicente, in the central part
of the country.
The flooding has destroyed or damaged hundreds of houses in poor
communities in various areas of San Salvador, sweeping away residents’
homes and possessions. Most of the severely affected people have been
evacuated by first-aid organizations during the last 48 hours. The
National Institute for Children (ISNA) evacuated 228 children from
their facilities after the building was flooded by strong water currents
coming from a near-by creek.
San Salvador Municipality field staff are currently assessing the
damages and providing some assistance to the affected communities.
Residents of the Bajo Lempa (Lower Lempa river), located in the departments
of San Vicente and Usulután are on alert given the current
heavy rain conditions that in the past have caused major destruction
in the entire region. This area was devastated by major flooding during
hurricane Mitch that affected Central America in October of 1998.
ACT member the Lutheran World Federation, Department of World
Service (LWF/DWS) El Salvador field staff are currently monitoring
the situation in Cara Sucia, in the department of Sonsonate, which
has suffered flooding almost every year for the last six years. September
2002, more than one hundred residents from communities surrounding
Cara Sucia were evacuated by LWF staff and other international agencies.
On that occasion, the staple crops of most of the residents were totally
devastated by the flooding.
The latest developments include the evacuation of sixteen families
from the municipality of Santa Catarina Masahuat, in Sonsonate. The
communities affected by landslides are: Santa Rita, Santa Rosa, Las
Flores and Three Roads. 88 people (40 women and 48 men including 33
children under the age of 15 years) are sheltering at the local Community
House in Santa Catarina Masahuat. According to LWF field staff in
the area, the Community House lacks appropriate amenities to shelter
evacuees.
So far there has been no move by the government or other agencies
to either carry out a needs assessment or provide emergency relief
to the affected in this region. The LWF field staff have called for
a meeting with local authorities to discuss emergency response.
LWF will focus on the needs of 200 evacuated families in Santa Catarina
Masahuat and other surrounding communities. The most urgent needs
are:
- Food for 200 people
- 200 mattress
- 200 blankets
- 25 water collecting barrels
- Kitchen utensils
- Medicine
- Clothes
Meanwhile the National Emergency Committee (COEN) has announced more
heavy rains and strong winds for the next days. The COEN has indicated
900 "areas of risk" in the country and a "Green Alert" has been declared.
LWF will keep the ACT CO informed and an appeal may be forthcoming.
