As many of you already have learned, the central part of El Salvador was hit by a devastating rain storm last weekend. When Hurricane Ida moved north, a Pacific low pressure system was drawn inland over the Departments of San Vicente and San Salvador, and dumped as much as 14 inches of rain Saturday evening. That amount is approximately 1/5 of El Salvador’s annual average rain fall. View more photos of the extent of the damage.
Fortunately most of Enlace’s communities were not affected by this intense act of nature. However, severe mud and rock slides caused significant consequences in our “San Martin” communities of Las Delicias, Colonia Santa Maria, El Espino/Mi Floras, and Las Loma. The following are preliminary numbers, but they are likely to be higher.
- 15 Fatalities (mostly children)
- 20 Homes totally destroyed and another 30 homes severely damage
- 400 Individual homeless or temporary displaced
- Temporary and permanent damage to “public ways” that will need cleaned up/ restored and many are at the risk of future slides
One of the hardest hit areas occurred near in Las Delicias. Around midnight, a mud/rock slide destroyed a row of homes and killed 6 children. See photos.
Having evaluated the damage, Enlace plans to provide assistance on two levels. All donations will be directed as follows:
A) As the aid from “first response” organizations disappears, we will support our church partners to provide “intermediate” assistance” to those families and individuals that have been displaced from the homes and are living in temporary shelters. We anticipate that this will cost as much as $10,000. This will include the ongoing purchase of staples such as beans, rice, corn meal, diapers, and other supplies they will need.
B) In 2010 we will begin a number of land mitigation and property renovation and has funds become available we would hope to provide new housing on a “most in need” basis as determined by the communities
In the meantime, we ask you to pray for the pastors, members and individuals they serve of our church partners, El Buen Samaritano, Principe de Paz, Tanbernaculo Bibico Salem, and Igelesias de Asa.
To give towards this effort, you can give online, here, or mail a check to our Irvine office. Mark most “Most Urgent” and write in “Hurricane Ida” in the comments section. Thank you!