Central American Earthquake Emergency
January 17, 2001
Relief efforts are continuing in response to the earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale that struck on Saturday off the coast of El Salvador. Close to 600 people are confirmed dead, and thousands more are reported missing. The death toll will continue to climb as rescue efforts continue. Emergency rescue operations are continuing, although there is now little hope of recovering alive those who were buried in the rubble of their homes when the earthquake hit. As many as 20,000 to 40,000 people nationwide are estimated to have been affected by the earthquake.
The areas most affected include the heavily populated city of Tecla in the department of La Libertad, as well as the areas in the departments of Usulutan, San Vicente, San Miguel, Santa Ana, San Salvador, and the region around Zacatecoluca in the department of La Paz.
ASSESSMENT OF NEEDS:
Many areas in El Salvador have sustained severe structural damage. In the city of Santa Tecla, mudslides buried some homes so completely that survivors cannot even locate the to begin digging to search for their families. Afraid of aftershocks, people have not taken refuge in houses still left standing or in community shelters, for fear of collapse. Thousands of homes have been damaged or completely destroyed. In the area of San Agustin in Usulutan, up to 95 percent of the homes are in ruins. In some cases, community buildings such as hospitals and churches have been destroyed, reducing the possibility of setting up emergency shelters. Over 87 Catholic churches have been reported damaged, and emergency clinics have been set up sometimes in the middle of downtown city streets. Water and electricity continue to function sporadically, and damage to the Pan-American Highway and to a major bridge on the Gulf of Fonseca has been reported.
CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES RESPONSE:
Since the afternoon of the quake, Catholic Relief Services has been working in El Salvador, with assistance of CRS staff in Guatemala and Honduras, with local partners to provide emergency relief. They performed initial needs assessments in the seven dioceses most affected, and formulated a strategy last Monday for the original $50,000 that CRS allocated for emergency relief. As well as supporting the relief efforts of local dioceses and their partners, material aid has already been distributed in four dioceses. Basic supplies distributed to survivors include plastic sheeting, blankets, potable water and food. In addition, CRS staff participated in a meeting yesterday with CARITAS El Salvador and other local partners to coordinate joint efforts in key areas.
Due to the severity of the disaster, Catholic Relief Services has allocated an additional $200,000 to the relief effort. We expect the need for continued relief efforts to last for quite some time. Today, CRS workers in the field will finalize their strategic response plan for relief and rehabilitation efforts for the next month. Based on the results of emergency assessments, CRS expects to develop additional responses in the coming days and weeks. As always, Catholic Relief Services will remain in solidarity with the people of El Salvador long after this initial emergency response phase is concluded, and continue with programs of development which have been in place since the 1060s.
ACTION NEEDED:
*** Continue to pray for the people of El Salvador and Guatemala, especially for those who have lost loved ones, for those Central American immigrants in the united States who await news of their families, and for all aid and relief workers striving to provide assistance. Encourage parishes to include the needs of Central America in their prayers of the faithful this weekend.
*** Visit the CRS website at www.catholicrelief.org to learn more about on-going relief efforts and for updates on the situation.
*** Inform your bishops, parishes and local media of the situation in El Salvador and Catholic Relief Services response. Contact Church Outreach if you need more information to respond to media requests in your dioceses.
*** Assistance is still needed. As always, the most expedient way to assist materially is with monetary contributions rather than goods. Please check with Church Outreach before accepting any in-kind donations. In order to be most effective, CRS does not usually accept in-kind donations.
*** CRS is accepting cash donations for relief efforts in Central America. All donations should be marked "Central America Earthquake." Parishes and individuals can forward contributions directly to:
Diocesan Catholic Relief Services Office - 1031 Superior Avenue - Room 344; Cleveland, Ohio 44114-2519
For more information call Rocky Ortiz, Diocesan CRS Director at (869) 6525 ext. or (216) 696-6525 ext. 2280.