Humanitarian Agency Moving Quickly to Distribute Emergency Items

WESTPORT, Conn. (10 November 2009) Save the Children has dispatched emergency teams to assist with the effort to provide relief to children and families in El Salvador after several days of heavy rain indirectly associated with Hurricane Ida triggered significant flooding and landslides. Five departments across the country are under a state of emergency.

More than 140 people have lost their lives, and many more people are injured or unaccounted for. Thousands of homes have been destroyed, and over 13,000 people are living in shelters. Others have moved to different parts of the country to live with family members.

Destructive floods have eliminated roads, including some roads in the capital, San Salvador, and mud slides have reportedly wiped out entire villages.

"There is severe damage and loss of life," said Save the Children's Gersande Chavez, who is on-the-ground in El Salvador. "We are moving quickly to distribute emergency items to help children and their families through this crisis, including food, water, mosquito nets and plastic sheeting for shelter."

Save the Children also is concerned the devastation of crops during the harvest season could result in severe food shortages for families in the months ahead.

"We will continue to monitor the situation as we address the short and long-term needs of children and families impacted by this disaster in El Salvador," added Chavez.  

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Hurricane Ida made landfall Thursday, November 5, in Nicaragua, which neighbours El Salvador, drenching the Central American country, destroying homes and schools and resulting in flash flooding and mud slides. Heavy rains then cut a deadly path through El Salvador, where relief efforts are now focused.

Save the Children has worked in El Salvador since 1979.