CAUSA: Emergency Relief Needed in El Salvador

Today it is being reported that severe flooding and landslides have left at least 144 dead across El Salvador in the wake of Hurricane Ida. At least, 72 people are reported to be still missing.

According to civil protection authorities, the number of people seeking emergency shelter is around 12,930. 1800 homes were damaged or destroyed and 18 bridges and many roads were washed away by the floods.

The email below comes from the SHARE Foundation whom CAUSA's Executive Director is a board member, detailing the disaster. SHARE supports the empowerment of historically impoverished and marginalized communities in El Salvador, as they strive to meet both their most immediate needs and construct long-term sustainable solutions to the problems of poverty, underdevelopment and social injustice.

Those wanting to help people suffering in El Salvador can make a secure online donation via SHARE's website

Emergency Relief Needed in El Salvador in the Wake of Hurricane Ida

While the National Hurricane Center in the United States has downgraded Hurricane Ida to a Tropical Storm, El Salvador has experienced the full brunt of hurricane force winds and rain. Over the weekend, the storm destroyed more than 7,000 homes and damaged many more. The most recent data, reported this morning in the Prensa Gráfica, indicates that approximately 130 people have been killed by the storm, and thousands more injured. This total is sure to rise as emergency relief workers continue to work their way through damaged buildings and areas that have experienced landslides.

The community of Verapaz in the department of San Vicente was left badly damaged by mud, rocks and derby after a mudslide from the San Vicente Volcano. Because the heavy rains rapidly made the land on the foothills of the volcano quite unstable, water quickly engulfed much of the town and many people did not have time to prepare or escape.

As is often the case in these sorts of situations, the most immediate problems include access to emergency shelter, access to potable water, and food. SHARE Foundation, in collaboration with its partners in the three zones of San Salvador, La Paz and San Vicente, will be working to provide emergency relief. This will include distribution of plastic sheeting and wood for temporary housing; food and water.

We ask that you lend your support to this effort by making a contribution for emergency relief in response to Hurricane Ida. You can do this by way of a secure online donation via our website, or by mailing a check to:

SHARE Foundation
P.O. Box 29620
Washington, DC 20017 (please write Hurricane Ida relief in the memo line)

Other ways you can help:

Organize fundraising efforts within your local churches and other community groups.

Post a note to your facebook, twitter or other social networking websites calling attention to the crisis in the wake of Hurricane Ida and encourage your friends and family members to make a contribution to the relief efforts via our website.

Pray for the victims of Hurricane Ida and their family members affected by this weekend's tragedy

Please do not hesitate to call our office at 202.319.5540 or send an email to jose@share-elsalvador.org if you have any questions.

As always, thank you for your continued solidarity and partnerships. We cannot do this without you.

Posted in: El Salvador,Humanitarian Aid,Hurrican Ida,SHARE Foundation