SILVER SPRING, Md.--One month after torrential rains flooded the town of Tartagal in northwestern Argentina, triggering severe flooding and a major landslide, survivors are still in desperate need of basic necessities, such as clean water, food, clothing, and mattresses, said the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA).
On February 9, heavy rainfall caused the Tartagal River to break its banks, causing a landslide that affected 10,000 people, displacing 1,000 people, according to the government of Argentina, with mud reaching higher than three feet (1 m) in some sectors.
"[After the mudslide], many were wounded and taken to different hospitals," said Roberto Giaccarini, country director for ADRA Argentina. "Many are also suffering emotional trauma, due to the stress of the disaster."
In response, ADRA is providing immediate assistance for 1,150 survivors, distributing tents, clothing, shoes, and medicines donated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Argentina, and 460 food baskets in the Santa Maria section of Tartagal.
ADRA is also providing psychological assistance for more than 6,000 children between the ages of four and 13 in five local schools.
Each family will receive two food baskets, one at the beginning of the project, and one 20 days after the first distribution. Baskets included basic food items, such as rice, pasta, flour, oil, powdered milk, sugar, beans, corn flour, and lentils.
"Although ADRA responded immediately, the needs of the people are still great," continued Giaccarini. "There are still some homes full of mud, while others have begun the reconstruction process."
"Our goal for this project is to sustain the lives of the 230 families that we are serving," added Giaccarini. "Through the psychological assistance, we expect to help the children cope better with the effects of this disaster, making their return home easier."
ADRA International, the ADRA South America Regional office located in Brasilia, Brazil, ADRA Argentina, and the Seventh-day Adventists in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay funded this project in partnership for more than $18,500.
To send your contribution to ADRA's Emergency Response Fund, please contact ADRA at 1.800.424.ADRA (2372) or give online at www.adra.org.
ADRA is a non-governmental organization present in 125 countries providing sustainable community development and disaster relief without regard to political or religious association, age, gender, race, or ethnicity.
Additional information about ADRA can be found at www.adra.org.
Author: Nadia McGill
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
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