I would like to take a moment to update you on the current situation in El Salvador almost 5 days after Hurricane Ida brought severe winds and rain to El Salvador that caused widespread damages to nearly 60% of the country.
Looking at the photos and reading the stories that reach us via our office in San Salvador, we find ourselves “con el corazón partido” – which, literally translated, means with our hearts broken open.
The consequences of Hurricane Ida’s path through the heart of El Salvador have been primarily in the dislocation and loss of life; destruction of housing and infrastructure; and disruption of agricultural patterns. The preliminary assessment of damage is as follows:
157 people dead
58 people disappeared
14,000 displaced people
1,835 houses damaged or partially destroyed
209 houses completely destroyed
24 bridges affected including completely destroyed
On Tuesday, November 10th, our staff members, Carmelina and Guadalupe visited residents of the community of Las Isletas, in the municipality of San Pedro Masahaut. While they were unable to actually access the community because it remains isolated due to mudslides and floods, they spoke with Las Isletas residents about their experiences.
Carmelina was introduced to Claudia Cecilia, a young mother from a village called Las Hojas. She carried her son, one month old Byron de Jesús who seemed to be in very fragile health. On the night of November 8th, mother and son were rescued by helicopter from their isolated community as heavy rains fell, rivers overflowed their banks, and mudslides overtook the village streets. While there are no reported deaths in the community of Las Isletas, they were nonetheless inundated by the rushing waters and most houses were destroyed causing residents to lose the few material possessions they owned. Claudia Cecilia made sure to mention that many of her family and community members did not have the same stroked of luck she and her young son experienced. Those who remain are now trapped, isolated and have likely not received any kind of help due to their already remote and now inaccessible locations. Everyone continues to worry, and wonder what comes next for their community that has practically disappeared from the map.
I relay this story to you from Carmelina and Guadalupe in order to convey that emergencies of this sort tend to have two critical “moments.” The first is simply caring for and attending to the immediate needs of victims. In the face of such major disruption of daily life, this includes providing bedding, basic food supplies, potable water, and personal hygiene products. Our staffs in El Salvador report this is a great need, as people have no potable water or food at this time.
The second moment occurs when people return to their communities and start resuming their lives. With crops destroyed, and this being the end of the planting cycle, the risks of longer term food crisis loom large. Moreover, help will be needed to rebuild homes, repair the roads and bridges that connect communities, and restore the systems that permit access to water for drinking and irrigation.
In light of these realities, SHARE is partnering with its counterparts in four different regions of the country. For the first phase, we will supply funds in order to provide immediate assistance to women and families. We will also continue providing support when the return and reconstruction phase begins. For this period, we will focus on projects that support restoration of the agricultural production capabilities, reconstruction of family homes, and credits to women’s cooperatives.
Phase two of rebuilding and reconstruction tends to be the most prolonged. We need your assistance in order to ensure that we are able to fulfill not simply the needs of the first phase, but also to guarantee that we are meeting needs and providing sustainable solutions as our friends and partners begin the long, arduous process of rebuilding lives and homes. We cannot do this without you. Please contribute to these efforts through oursecure online online server.
Our mailing address for donations made by check is:
P.O. Box 29620
Washington DC 20017
I will post on-the-ground updates as often as possible.Thank you for your contributions, solidarity and prayers.
Again, please do not hesitate to contact us should you have any questions. Our office number is 202.319.5540 and you can reach me at jose@share-elsalvador.org.
With all our hearts, thank you.
Jose Artiga
Executive Director
Share Foundation
www.share-elsalvador.org
