Our History With El Salvador:

We at First Presbyterian Church, through South Bay Sanctuary Covenant, have been supporting and visiting our partner community, La Canoa, Comunidad Octavio Ortiz, in the Department of Usulutan, since 1993. (Visit our El Salvador page for images from our last delegation.

We work with Voices on the Border and here is a recent report from Brendan J. Von Briesen (Field Director) on the situation after the hurricane struck El Salvador:

I am back in San Salvador, after having spent the last week traveling extensively between the capital and the communities of the Lower Lempa. The water is mostly gone, leaving rivers of mud and stagnant pools, breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Our partners at the United Communities Association, ACUDESBAL, have conducted a preliminary census to determine losses and damage. Before looking at those looses, let us reflect on the fact that there were no human losses in the Lower Lempa, due in part to the level of organization achieved by the communities through their intercommunal organization and through the contacts we have encouraged, especially with the emergency response and reconstruction organization REDES and an all-volunteer rescue group known as the rescue commandos. We are closely coordinating our rescue and reconstruction efforts with our established partners, especially REDES and the ASPS (Salvadoran Association for Health Promotion). We maintain strategic relationships with both organizations, which are recognized specialists in their fields and share our holistic approach to development work.

All of the communities of the Lower Lempa were flooded. The immediate needs continue to be food, water, basic medicines, fumigation, and move towards the rapid rehabilitation of internal and intercommunal roads, and general clean-up, including rehabilitation of wells and latrines. It is believed that losses to crops will be near-total, a fact which represents the most serious long-term concern. Yesterday, most people left the shelters, while a few hundred remained. Upon leaving, the evacuees were given basic goods to, with luck, last a family for one week. The communities hope to secure emergency food aid until new cash crops can be harvested and sold for basic grains.

While a more exact door-to-door survey is already underway (through a locally coordinated effort of the Parishes, university and community-based youth groups, ACUDESBAL, and other local development associations and cooperatives), I would like to share with you the initial figures, taken over the last three days (while some families were still in the shelters and while some houses were completely inaccessible because of the water). It is estimated in the Lower Lempa region alone there are some 2500 families affected, with an average of five family members in each household. The initial survey enumerates the losses of 1383 families in 34 communities (roughly 7000 of the estimated 12,500 people in the area). [Please note that Ciudad Romero did not participate in this survey, and accounts for an additional 200 (est.) families.] [Another note: Comunidad Segundo Montes in Morazán was not severely affected by the storms, due to the geography of the area, and in fact, community members spent the week busily arranging shipments of aid to the Lower Lempa, in a touching show of sacrifice and solidarity.]

Livestock losses number 94 cows, 1591 hens, and 25 pigs. (The carcasses represent a significant risk and are being disposed of as quickly as possible.) Crop losses, estimated to be near-total, give startling figures: 797.3 manzanas (mz., 1000 m2) of corn have been lost; 29 mz. of maicillo (literally, little corn, a grain generally used for fodder but consumed in tortillas in times of need); 97 mz. of sesame; 24 mz. of sugar cane; 35 mz. yucca; 5 mz. sweet potato. In addition, the communities have lost some 740 mz. of high-quality grasses used for cattle fodder. These pastures were planted with higher-yield grasses as the result of numerous production-enhancement projects and small-scale loans.

Housing losses are recorded at 89 homes destroyed, 224 semi-destroyed, and 193 with moderate or light damages. Destroyed houses will have to be replaced while the semi-destroyed and moderately damaged houses may be repaired in most cases, it is hoped. We do not yet have an estimate on the associated costs. The communities also face difficulties associated with the flooding of latrines, of which 347 are totally flooded, with 410 partially flooded, and 166 with recoverable flood damage. Wells were also affected: 262 wells report damages and will have to be cleaned. In addition, there is an estimate that 28% of the water pipes were damaged.

Losses of basic household goods are reported at 60%, while 43% of chairs are unusable or floated away. Likewise, the communities are initially reporting losses of 48% of tables, 77% of beds, and 20% of electro-domestic goods.

The primary short-term illnesses reported include colds, respiratory infections, diarrhea, and fungal infections (vaginal and of the feet). The longer-term health concerns relate to recuperation of living conditions through rehabilitation of wells, latrines, and shelters. Obviously, the construction and maintenance of the levy is a priority, as is maintenance of the drainage system (the drains running along the roads were full when the rain began to fall, and clogging of tubes under roads severely affected drainage. We are coordinating for immediate fumigation of mosquitoes and the placement of relatively benign insecticide in non-drinking water storage facilities.

As you can see from the initial damage figures, the situation is of such magnitude that our work at Voices will move quickly from emergency response and evacuation assistance towards more long-term work. We will be working to promote efficiency through our networking with partner organizations and possible international donors, and specifically increasing the communication and logistical capacity of the United Communities with the aim of augmenting the ability of community organizations to channel donations and complete the requirements for receiving reconstruction aid. Since the Stan rains were a national disaster (as opposed to 1998 Hurricane Mitch, which was more localized in affecting the Lower Lempa), there will be more pressure on donors. In addition, the devastation caused by Stan in Guatemala and southern Mexico, and the earthquake in Kashmir threaten to leave El Salvador without the vital reconstruction aid needed to prevent massive, severe malnutrition and epidemics. We will also conduct an extensive review of the damages suffered by the development projects you have all supported over the years.

Please allow me this opportunity to thank each of you for your support, moral and financial. It is reassuring to know that the communities here enjoy the steadfast support of people around the world, especially in these times of great need. If you have any questions or concerns about the situation here please do not hesitate to contact me.

EL SALVADOR EARTHQUAKE EMERGENCY RELIEF AND RECONSTRUCTION URGENTLY NEEDED:

You can provide immediate assistance through cash donations. Please Make checks payable to: U. Lutheran/SBSC and write "Hurricane relief/reconstruction" under memo and send to:

South Bay Sanctuary Covenant 3290 Middlefield Road Palo Alto, CA 94306

For additional information call SBSC, 650-494-8340 and VOB at 202-529-2912.

Voices on the Border History:

Since 1993, VOB has been the liaison for SBSC and its partner community, La Canoa. Each year SBSC has a delegation that visits La Canoa and stays in their homes. We are hopeful that the newly constructed cement block homes in La Canoa will have survived the quake. Aid being given will go to the most needy in the whole Department of Usulutan, in cooperation with other NGOs (non-governmental organizations) that have a long-term history of commitment to and working to empower the people. Funds will continue to support local organizing efforts to improve emergency response systems in the future, to work for more stable housing, and against corruption that siphons off resources. Monetary donations are far more useful than material aid because this is quicker and the exact goods needed can be purchased.