Shelterbox helps El Salvador
ShelterBox team responds to El Salvador floods
International disaster relief charity ShelterBox is sending a response team to El Salvador after torrential floods and landslides left thousands of people homeless.
At least 130 people have died in the disaster which was linked indirectly to Hurricane Ida. The President of El Salvador Mauricio Funes has declared a national emergency.
Reports say 7,000 homes have been destroyed by mudslides with the areas around the capital, San Salvador, and the central province of San Vicente, hit the hardest.
A two-person ShelterBox Response Team (SRT) of John Lacquey (US) and Noel Currie (CA) is travelling to the country to assess the devastation and identify areas with the greatest need for emergency shelter.
The capital San Salvador and the El Salvadorian town of Verapaz, in the San Vicente district, have been worst affected from torrential flooding and subsequent landslides, after a wave of mud and boulders came crashing down from the Chichontepec Volcano.
Jessica Stanton, ShelterBox’s Operations Coordinator, said: ‘The hurricane did not directly hit El Salvador but has left torrential rain causing mudslides and destroying hundreds of homes. Our team will be on the ground assessing the urgent need for emergency shelter and supplies.’
In the town of Verapaz in San Vicente, soldiers and civilians have been searching debris left by a landslide for dozens of missing people.
A torrent of mud and boulders from the Chichontepec volcano hit the town on Sunday, wrecking 300 homes and burying cars.
Anybody wanting more information on how to help Shelterbox continue their great work, should get in touch at www.shelterbox.org.
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