Tropical Storm Stan

At the beginning of October heavy rains, influenced by tropical storm Stan, lashed the whole Central America region. The rains were the heaviest experienced in the last four years. Tropical storm Stan was a cyclone system that originated in the Pacific then became a hurricane level one affecting El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Mexico.

The worst affected country was Guatemala. The rains caused extensive flooding and mudslides in the highland and southwestern departments of the Pacific coastal area. The areas affected are mostly populated by indigenous people living in extreme poverty. More than 900 landslides were recorded in the area triggered by the severe deforestation.

El Salvador was affected simultaneously by two natural disasters: tropical Storm Stan and the eruption of Ilamatepec volcano located in the west of the country. The heavy rains caused flooding all over the country and 700 landslides were registered. 46,500 persons were evacuated and the damage in the agriculture was extensive. The eruption of the Ilamatepec volcano, in Santa Ana city caused the displacement of 7,500 persons who will have to be reallocated due to the contamination caused by the lava.

ACT El Salvador Forum: Christian Aid (CAID), Lutheran World Federation (LWF) El Salvador Program, Presbyterian Disaster Relief (PDA) Regional office and Salvadoran Lutheran Synod (SLS) are proposing to assist 3,313 affected families in the crisis phase with food and non food relief items, psychosocial and health assistance. In the rehabilitation phase they will support agricultural recovery, water and sanitation activities and disaster preparedness and mitigation activities.

ACT members in Guatemala are still working on their proposal. They are planning to support 7,700 families in the crisis and rehabilitation phase with food and non food relief items, psychosocial and health assistance, recovery of livelihoods and disaster preparedness and mitigation activities. The estimated target of their request is U$2-million. Their project will be included in a revision of the current appeal next week.

Project Completion Date: 31 October 2006

Summary of Appeal Targets, Pledges/Contributions Received and Balance Requested (US$):

Total Appeal Target(s): 643,166

Less: Pledges/Contr. Recd.: 0

Balance Requested from ACT Alliance: 643,166

Signed by:
Jenny Borden
Interim Director, ACT Co-ordinating Office