On November 7, Hurricane Ida dumped 14 inches of rain in twelve hours on El Salvador, severely damaging the central and coastal regions. To put that into perspective, the last major hurricane that hit Central America was Hurricane Stan which dumped over 15 inches in a four-day period. The sudden massive downpour caused rivers to overflow and triggered deadly landslides. Across the country over 200 people died and 13,600 people were forced to find refuge in 118 temporary shelters. The landslides destroyed 158 homes and damaged an additional 1,500 (for more information and pictures regarding the effects of the storm visit NY times article and our gallery).
In the communities where ENLACE partners with local churches, church and community leaders immediately visited the families most effected by the hurricane and began addressing their needs. Leaders moved displaced families to nearby shelters, salvaged possessions, and cleared roads full of mud and debris. Tragically, the leaders in Las Delicias accompanied their neighbors as they conducted funerals for six children whose lives were lost in landslides.
In eight partner communities in San Salvador and La Libertad, the church and community leaders identified 151 families (over 600 people) in desperate need of basic food, personal care items, and water. Thanks to generous donations, ENLACE was able to provide a month’s worth of supplies for the church and community to distribute (for additional pictures visit ENLACE’s website here). As we prepare a second round of donations, the church and community leaders are evaluating the next stages of their intervention, which may include reconstruction of damaged/destroyed homes along with help for grieving families.
Thank you again for your generosity and support. We will provide future updates as the church and community’s course of action develops.