Humanitarian Situation in El Salvador: Tropical Rain & Flooding leaves 32 dead and 20,000 in Shelters

On Friday the President of El Salvador declared a national state of emergency, following a week of constant tropical rainfalls causing extensive flooding. Rain has caused a substantial social and environmental disaster, which has resulted in 20,000 people being forced to move into shelters and 32 deaths.

The Government of El Salvador has made available $25 million for the first period of rehabilitation and reconstruction, but the emergency situation at this moment requires humanitarian aid.

I have been in contact with the Executive Director of the NGO we worked with in El Salvador, IMU and Deysi Cheyne has informed me that national NGOs have come together under an umbrella organisation to administer the necessary humanitarian relief. MODES (Movement of Organisations for a Solidarity Development) is maintaining a dialogue with the Government in order to provide and efficient and fast response to the populations needs and to prevent the situation worsening but is in need of additional funds.

The pressing need at this time is the 20,000 people evacuated and living in temporary shelters, there is a need to meet their basic needs, primarily food and medicine.

Desyi has asked for help in raising funds and in response I will be holding a cake sale tomorrow to raise funds to send to IMU to use for the humanitarian relief effort.

News Coverage
In pictures http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-15287017

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-15331290

http://www.cnn.com/2011/10/16/world/americas/central-america-floods/

http://www.elmundo.com.sv/nacionales-/19074-van-32-muertes-y-20-mil-en-albergues.html

http://www.elsalvador.com/mwedh/nota/nota_completa.asp?idCat=47654&idArt=6285395