Central America - Earthquake OCHA Situation Report No. 6

Ref: OCHA/GVA - 2001/0007
OCHA Situation Report No. 6
Central America - Earthquake
16 January 2001

El Salvador

Situation

1. The UN Resident Coordinator in El Salvador informs that according to the National Emergency Committee (COEN), the death toll is now at 609, with 2,412 people missing and 25,195 evacuated. More than 46,000 houses have been damaged or destroyed. So far, 200 bodies have been recovered in the town of Santa Tecla near San Salvador.

2. In Comasagua, which lies about 28 km west of San Salvador, in the Department of La Libertad, an estimated 40 people died in a mudslide triggered by the earthquake. In all, some 150 bodies have been recovered in La Libertad, where Comasagua, Las Colinas and other populated places hit by landslides, are located.

3. Several communities across El Salvador are still cut off from the outside world due to some 185 landslides.

Immediate Emergency Requirements

4. The Government of El Salvador is still turning to the international community for the provision of tents, water containers, surgical materials, antibiotics, orthopedic treatment equipment, serum, syringes and medical materials as well as mobile hospitals. More detailed lists of hospital requirements, as drawn up by the Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance, can be made available upon request.

National Response

5. In addition to the Emergency Operations Center, COEN is running the Command Center for the coordination of SAR teams in Santa Tecla, which is closely located to the area hit by landslides. The Command Center is holding daily information meetings with the SAR teams.

6. Relief items received from the international community are recorded and distributed by the Comision Nacional de Solidaridad, a private-sector organization.

7. Contributions can be placed in the following accounts, especially set up by the Government for this purpose: Banco Salvadoreño, savings account number 024-54-0020989, or Banco Agricola, checking account number 303-002-002-3, in each case, with the reference Comite Financiero de Solidaridad (CONFISOL).

International Assistance

8. A list of contributions reported to date is attached.

9. The United Nations Disaster Management Team (UN-DMT) met on 15 January 2001 under the chairmanship of the UN Resident Coordinator, with the participation of the UNDAC Team and information on each of the UN Agencies current operations was exchanged. Information is being gathered and put together largely thanks to the well-functioning FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) communications network.

10. WFP logistics and operations support staff from the Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Nicaragua and Guatemala Country Offices have arrived in the country between yesterday and today. Vehicles and communications equipment were sent from WFP Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua in a joint effort from the region to assist El Salvador. Foods stocks in Choluteca, Honduras and Corinto, Nicaragua are ready to be delivered to El Salvador, if required. An assessment of emergency food requirements for relief and rehabilitation will be conducted this week, in order to determine the need for a larger emergency operation.

11. PAHO/WHO has dispatched its disaster mitigation engineer, who in collaboration with the national counterparts will help to determine the needs for immediate assistance: assess the safety of the hospitals; identify interim measures to restore their minimum capacity. The Government of El Salvador asked for support of SUMA, the humanitarian Supply Management system, to assist with the anticipated influx of donations. Two SUMA specialists will assist the National Emergency Committee and the health sector. An advance of US$50,000 has been approved for the local purchase of medical/surgical and other items.

12. The UNDAC team conducted a damage assessment mission in the landslide zone of the hardest-hit town of Santa Tecla. At the moment, the chances of finding anyone alive under the earth are very slim due to the lack of oxygen. The last survivor was found in the early morning of 15 January. SAR teams are closing down search operations and will concentrate on recovering bodies and shifting debris using heavy equipment.

13. Further to paragraph 17 of OCHA's situation report No 5, the Government of Luxembourg has pledged USD 161,464 through OCHA and the Government of the United Kingdom has contributed up to USD 50,000 for UNDAC mission operations.

14. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) issued a preliminary appeal on 15 January, seeking CHF 1,112,360 (USD 685,000) for search and rescue operations, emergency shelter materials and food, health and water sanitation, Regional Delegation/National Society assessments and Programme Support.

15. OCHA is prepared to serve as channel for cash contributions to be used for immediate relief assistance, in co-ordination/consultation with relevant organisations in the United Nations system. Funds should be transferred to OCHA account no. CO-590.160.0, Swift code: UBSWCHZ12A at the UBS AG, P.O. Box 2770, CH-1211 Geneva 2, with reference: "OCHA -El Salvador - Earthquake." OCHA provides donors with written confirmation and pertinent details concerning the utilisation of the funds contributed.

16. For coordination purposes, donors are requested to inform OCHA Geneva, as indicated below, on relief missions/pledges/contributions and their corresponding values by item.

17. Any future updates on contributions to this disaster may be found by clicking on Financial Tracking at the top of the page for this disaster on the OCHA Internet Website (http://www.reliefweb.int). Donors are requested to verify this table and inform OCHA Geneva of corrections/additions/values.

18. Donors are encouraged to notify OCHA Geneva of their contributions to this disaster using the OCHA Standardised Contributions Recording Format, available electronically in the above mentioned Financial Tracking Website.

19. This Situation Report and further information on ongoing emergencies are also available on the OCHA website at http://www.reliefweb.int

Contacts

Telephone: +41-22-917 1234;
Fax: +41-22-9170023;
E-mail: ochagva@un.org

In case of emergency: Tel. +41-22-9172010

Desk Officers: Mr. Erik Haegglund / Mr. Carlos Pereira / Ms. Masayo Kondo
Direct tel: +41-22-917 32 99/13 83/19 97

Press contact: Mr. D. Kiniger-Passigli, Direct tel. +41-22-917 26 53