Baltimore - Lutheran World Relief is working to respond to the needs of the people of El Salvador following the recent heavy rains that caused floods, landslides, and widespread devastation.
The extensive flooding caused 108 landslides, destroyed 208 houses, damaged 1,835 houses, affected 18 bridges, and has claimed 140 lives. El Salvador's president has declared a state of national emergency as the country appeals for help from the international aid community.
"The floods have displaced thousands of people who are now in desperate need of food and water. LWR's goal is to reach people with these supplies as quickly as possible," says Michael Watt, LWR's Regional Director for Latin America.
LWR is supporting the relief efforts of two local partners who are distributing food, potable water and hygiene supplies to 300 families affected by the floods. In addition, LWR will continue to work with fellow members of the Action by Churches Together (ACT) International global aid alliance to assess needs on the ground.
More funding is needed for a comprehensive response to this disaster; to donate, please visit www.lwr.org; call 1-800-LWR-LWR-2 (597-5972) or mail a check or money order to Lutheran World Relief, PO Box 17061, Baltimore, MD 21298-9832 USA, designated for "Central America Disaster."
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
A boy cycles through a flooded road after several streets were partially submerged in water after heavy rains in Jakarta, November 12, 2009. Indonesia normally enters rainy season in October, although ...
