IOM and its Partners Distribute Shelter Repair Kits and Other Humanitarian Assistance to 500 Families Affected by Heavy Rains in El Salvador
El Salvador - IOM and partners have distributed shelter repair kits and other humanitarian assistance to 500 families in El Salvador forced to flee their homes following days of relentless heavy rains in October, and who have until now been taking shelter in collective centres. The heavy rains which had affected much of Central America, had killed an estimated 123 people, forced tens of thousands from their homes and destroyed crops, livelihoods and infrastructure.
"The 500 families assisted thus far have left the centres where they had taken refuge and have now returned to damaged homes. The humanitarian assistance provided by IOM and its partners will allow them to make the necessary repairs to their homes so that they can resume their lives in a safe environment," explains Christopher Gascon, IOM's Regional Emergency Coordinator.
The shelter repair kits include roofing sheets, wooden beams and planks, basic hardware such as screws and nails as well as tool kits. So far 100 homes have been repaired.
IOM partner NGOs are providing technical engineering support assessing damage to homes and supervising the repairs to ensure maximum quality.
"There is a great effort underway to help the families repair their homes and restart their daily routines. The local governments, the communities and the NGOs are all working together," adds Gascon.
Other humanitarian relief supplies include house-cleaning kits (brooms, buckets, shovels and detergent), along with comfort kits (mattresses, pillows and linens) as well as kitchen and hygiene kits.
IOM and its four local partners PLAN International, World Vision, World Lutheran Federation, and CONAMUS, are focusing their efforts in the departments of Ahuachap�n, La Libertad, La Paz and Usulut�n.
An additional 200 families targeted by IOM will receive their humanitarian supplies by the end of next week in a response funded by the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF).
Updated on 16 February 2012
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| Photo: WFP/Tania Moreno |
By boat and other means, the CERF Supports Food Aid in El Salvador
In mid-October El Salvador was pounded by 1.5 metres of rain. Normally it receives the same amount in a whole year. Families in agricultural communities such as 13 Enero lost their homes, animals and harvests, and mothers like Gabriella Ramirez are struggling to get by. “The fact that we're so isolated means that everything becomes more expensive,” she says, holding her baby. “There are days when my children go hungry.”
This morning, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) with support of the Central Emergency Response Fund, is traveling by boat to the community of 13 Enero - 13 January, named after a powerful earthquake that struck El Salvador in 2001. Recent flooding damaged the main road that provides access to the area, leaving the 300 people who live across three neighbouring communities isolated. To access the community, travel by boat is required. About 160 boxes of fortified biscuits are loaded onto the boat, the motor whirs and the hour-long journey through a rare mangrove forest begins.
On board is Adrian Storbeck, who coordinates the relief and recovery operation for WFP in El Salvador. “Biscuits are particularly useful in this phase of the response, and easy to handle in logistical terms,” he says. “With only three of them you can cover the nutritional needs of a person for a day.” Gabriella and her family welcomed the biscuit delivery today. In the meantime, Adrian and his team continue distributing the biscuits, and meeting with the local communities. “We are always received fairly positively with smiles, and there’s always a feeling of gratitude," he says. "That is one of the things that makes this job. One which impacts your heart.”
The Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) finances projects like these. The CERF has provided more than $2.5 million to five United Nations agencies and the International Organization for Migration in El Salvador in response to the floods. The Fund was established by the United Nations to help people in the crucial early days after a disaster. Adrian says, "Thanks to CERF funding, we will have the necessary resources to follow through this activity." However the medium - long-term recovery must also be considered, and for that Adrian says "we require further donations."
Updated on 17 November 2011