Appeal Target: US$ 502,027
Geneva, 27 November 2009
Dear Colleagues,
El Salvador was hit by Hurricane Ida on 8 November with winds and up to 300 mm rainfalls in 6 hours. As a result, a total of 108 landslides, 13 major floods and 12 overflowing rivers were counted in seven of the country fourteen Departments. Floods and landslides completely destroyed 288 homes and damaged 1,835 houses. 37 bridges at least were damaged. Out of a population of 2 million in these seven departments, it is estimated that 75,000 people (15,000 families) have been affected. Out of these, more than 14.000 people remain in the 118 temporary shelters, or with friends or relatives.
The bean harvest has been particularly affected by the rainfall, with an estimated loss of 90%, which represents 27.5 million US$. The impact on food security will be felt even more that El Salvador main food providers are undergoing a difficult time in their respective food situations: Guatemala by Ida and the current food crisis situation; Honduras by the several month long political conflicts and Nicaragua by the repercussion of the conflict on border transportation.
ACT requesting member the Lutheran World Federation, together with the Salvadoran Lutheran Synod (also an ACT member) and 4 of their implementing partners, are currently distributing food aid packages, kitchen and family hygiene kits, under the ACT Rapid Response Funds 15/2009 issued on 12 November 2009. Further assessments done by ACT members have identified rehabilitation needs in food security, psychosocial care and housing rehabilitation, all included in the present appeal. The intervention will take place primarily in the provinces/municipalities of San Salvador, La Libertad, La Paz, San Vicente, Cuscatlán, Usulután, Sonsonate and Ahuachapán. The present appeal will be revised within three weeks to detail the rehabilitation action plan and budget (in particular the housing, psychosocial and advocacy components).
