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El Salvador

CERF allocates $2.5 million to respond to historic flooding in El Salvador

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2 November 2011: The arrival of Tropical Depression 12E in El Salvador on 7 October 2011 brought unprecedented heavy rainfall to the Central American nation, particularly along the coastline and the volcanic chain in the east and center of the country.

Historically, these have always been the most vulnerable geographical locations to natural disasters and climatic events. The persistence of the storm generated two low pressure systems, leading to torrential rains for more than 10 days, causing severe flooding and 879 landslides in most of the country’s 14 departments. Despite being a tropical depression, the lowest category of storms, Tropical Depression 12E created havoc throughout the country and is considered the worst natural disaster in the nation’s history.

The Government estimates the total flooded area to be equivalent to 10 per cent of the country’s surface, affecting more than one million people. More than 30 persons have died and 55,000 are receiving assistance in 638 shelters. Damage to infrastructure has hampered access to affected areas as many roads are blocked by debris or isolated by flooding and landslides. A total of 1.7 million students have been left without schooling.

More than $2.5 million in total has been allocated to jump-start life saving interventions in El Salvador. CERF funding will provide immediate humanitarian assistance to 100,000 of the most adversely affected persons. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), International Organization for Migration (IOM), World Food Programme (WFP), World Health Organization (WHO), and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will deliver the assistance in support of Government-led relief efforts.

CERF resources will contribute to reducing the risks of death and disease resulting from Tropical Depression 12 E and ensuing rains, while protecting livelihoods and the nutritional status of affected populations.

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