In the week following El Salvador's devastating
earthquake, WFP has distributed 900 tonnes to more than 185,000 people
who have lost practically everything in the tragedy.
Part of the aid has come from WFP's
Immediate Response emergency operation for US$200,000. This
was launched within days of the powerful earthquake that left at least
400 dead and thousands homeless.
The food rations consist of two-week rations of rice, beans and maize oil, and are being distributed by trucks and helicopters of the El Salvador and United States Air Forces.
"The people we are helping outside the cities have lost everything," said Guy Gavreau, WFP's representative in El Salvador.
"As well as their houses, they lost their stocks of grains stored inside. The earthquake has brought the huge risk of a food emergency."
Only two weeks of food supplies left in El Salvador
The food is being distributed to the six hardest hit communities: 10,500 survivors at La Libertad, 15,000 at La Paz, 10,000 at Usulutan, 5,000 at Don Rua, 6,000 in Tecoluca and 8,000 at Comasagua.
Aid has also been drawn from the pre-existing stocks of WFP's development operations in El Salvador and the Programme only has enough supplies left to satisfy food needs for the next two weeks.
WFP is already preparing to launch a further emergency appeal to help up to 200,000 survivors.
WFP El Salvador has been in the forefront of the current relief operation, co-ordinating food aid deliveries and distributions with the National Emergency Committee.
Depending on available stocks in El Salvador and neighbouring countries, food supplies may have to be delivered by WFP trucks from Choluteca, Honduras or Managua, Nicaragua.
WFP's regional office for Latin America and the Caribbean has sent logistics and operations staff into El Salvador together with reinforcements from personnel in Nicaragua and Guatemala.
Vehicles and communications equipment have been sent from WFP Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.
Copyright =A9 2000, World Food Programme