Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
San Vicente (Agenzia Fides) – Manuel de Jesus Moran Hidalgo, Assistant Director of Caritas in El Salvador, said in a press conference that we are all called to help our brethren, especially in these times of need: “As Archbishop Romero said, they are brothers whose cries reach heaven, and we must offer them human and material aid.” Bishop Gregorio Rosa Chavez, at the same press conference, also said: "We are united in grief and united in hope."
Caritas El Salvador in the Diocese of San Vicente, sent Agenzia Fides a second report detailing the situation, after the first published yesterday (see Fides 10/11/2009). The relief groups in El Salvador have started to remove mud and debris in search of other victims in 5 of the 14 departments that were hit over the weekend by heavy rains that killed at least 130 and caused much damage, especially in San Vicente. There are currently recorded at the national level: 108 landslides, 1835 homes uninhabitable, 209 houses totally destroyed, 18 bridges hit, 13 serious floods, and 12 overflowing rivers. The authorities have opened 87 emergency shelters across the country, where 10,348 people are being lodged, according to figures provided by the Head of Civil Protection.
Manuel Castellanos, Governor of San Vicente, said that the people of Guadalupe, Verapaz, and Tepetitán have suffered the worst damage in the area and there are 800 people who are currently housed in 14 hostels. "Probably the most damaged is Verapaz (a town 48 km east of San Salvador). Here there are still about 600 people missing,” said the governor.
A national work plan has begun to coordinate emergency relief efforts of pastoral workers and groups of different communities with the national civil protection. The preliminary report of the damage was in fact prepared by the local civil defense committees, the staff of various municipalities affected, by parish priests, and volunteers already working in the area.
The second report by Caritas, sent to Agenzia Fides, also features photos showing the damage in many areas of San Vicente, Cologne Dos Puentes, Colonia La Caridad, Verapaz, Molineros, Tepetitán, La Entrevista, Santa Elena, Guarumo y Casas Viejas and San Francisco Chamoco. (EC) (Agenzia Fides 11/11/2009)
