Doctors for Global Health stands in solidarity with the people of El Salvador in crisis once again.
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The President has declared a National State of Calamity for 60 days which allows any and all government funds to be used to alleviate the consequences of the emergency.
El Salvador has received the equivalent of more than 2 months of rain in 6 days, in some places 3 times what is normal in one month -- twice as much as during Hurricane Mitch. (Read more about these record-breaking rains in Central America from the BBC [2].)
Even though only 32 people have lost their lives, the human cost is tremendous and will be felt for years to come.
Almost 50,000 people are staying in 576 shelters! Thousands have lost all that they have including crops. Estimates on crop loss are between 40 and 80% at this time of harvest.
Infrastructure in the country is compromised if not collapsed. Bridges and roads have been damaged by landslides.
From what we know, our partner communities in Santa Marta (Cabañas) and Estancia (Morazán) have been spared the worst of the storm as they are situated on higher, more solid ground in the north of the country.
As always, Radio Victoria is bearing testimony to the events, giving a voice to those most affected and bringing concrete help to those in need:
“Radio Victoria has been reporting directly from affected communities in our area, tonight 6 reporters went to the farthest corners to visit shelters and transmit people's testimonies live -- as well as road conditions, rivers, the dams and activities, or lack of, by local authorities. The Radio is collecting donations and announcing where other collection centers are located and reporting constantly on what is happening in the zone… Help is needed, send what you can, come down and help rebuild, give people hope and don’t doubt that climate change is causing havoc and affecting the poorest and most vulnerable.”
- From Cristina Starr, Coordinator, Radio Victoria
Please consider making a donation for disaster relief. Two reliable options are: Voices on The Border (www.votb.org [3]) and US-El Salvador Sister Cities (www.elsalvadorsolidarity.org [4]).
