I Guess It Rains Down In Afffrrr...El Saaalvador

SO standfast has finally been lifted. I hopped the first bust to town this morning as I could not wait to enjoy the beautiful sunny day I had been presented with. I did my shopping, I drank my liquado, I visited my seamstress. All in all a good day. When I returned home, I found an e-mail from my country director. I thought I would share it with you. (You know for those of you who do not follow Salvadorian news.)

Following is an update on the situation:

• The water levels in the rivers are quickly receding.
• Access (by vehicle or on foot) to most communities is possible to most places in the country.
• Currently 49,000-50,000 people who were evacuated are in shelters.
• The World Food Program (WFP) is providing 14,000 metric tons of food; they say the food shortages should not be a problem.  However, it is the timely distribution which is crucial.  Distributions are still underway to the affected areas.  Proteccion Civil is in charge.  Make sure your communities contact them to be on the list.  We have sent our list to USAID and they forwarded them on the Proteccion Civil people in San Salvador but the request should also come from the communities as well.
• Two out of the three major border crossings between Guatemala and El Salvador are closed.  The one that is open is very backed up with traffic.  You may see shortages in your local markets and stores for a while.
• The port of Acajutla is open but due to high tides, the ships carrying can’t come in yet.
• A large number of the crops (corn and beans) that have been already harvested are wet and are in danger of rotting if they can not be dried before the onset of mold and fungus.  I suspect that prices will increase.
• The UN reports that there are 3,943 houses at risk; 489 houses partially damaged; and 85 completely damaged (Note: these are initial assessments-- more are likely to be reported as assessment continues)
• The UN and other sources report that there are about 300,000 people in the country that have been affected by the storm.  The reconstruction will be a lengthy process.
• The government’s health system has been greatly strained.  Due to all the flooding and lack hygiene at the shelters and in coastal areas, it is expected that the state of public health will be negatively affected.  We should see increases in diarrhea, dengue, child hood diseases, etc), especially in the flooded coastal zones.  Please take appropriate precautions.

What will be the US Government’s response?  The US Government is happy with the way that the Salvadoran authorities have handled the situation.  They were proactive in early evacuations which many feel saved many lives.

A number of you have reported specific needs and damages in your respective communities and surrounding areas.  Please don’t expect to see any Embassy truck delivering aid directly to your communities.  The Embassy has been asked by the government to provide any and all donations to the Government-run Operations Centerlocated at CIFCO (the fair grounds in San Salvador).  So we are working behind the scenes in support of the government.

The first main US response will be the arrival of a large cargo plane (from Miami) that is expected to arrive to the country within a day or two bringing the following goods among others:

·         Hygiene kits for a family of 5 that will last for two weeks ($10,000 value)

·         Collapsible jerry cans to be used to carry and store clean water (10,000 units)

·         Kitchen kits (Some PCVs helped with the preparations of some kits but more will arrive with the plane)

·         100 large rolls of plastic sheeting to be used to cover roofs, the ground, etc

·         Blankets (2,300 units)

(These items will be put into the CIFCO pipeline and sent out to the affected districts.)

In addition, the Ministry of Public works has requested NASA to help provide specific satellite images of the areas most affected.  This will aid in assessing the damage and making plans for further assistance in reconstruction.  USAID has also responded by some initial purchases of food, mattresses and blankets and they are assessing and looking for funds for what can be done as part of the reconstruction phase.  The USmilitary is working closely with the local military providing them fuel for the trucks involved in the food distribution process and also purchasing needed supplies to complement what is needed for the CIPFO distributions.

I was *very* lucky that my corner of the country was not terribly effected. It rained a lot, but everyone still has their homes. Even if we all might have suffered a small bout of cabin fever.