El Salvador: Death toll increased, damage
widespread.
Highlights
As reports continue to reach the National Emergency Committee, the number of deaths, people injured and damage is increasing by the hour. Nationwide, 600 people are confirmed dead as of Tuesday morning, and 1,830 injured. As many as 1,000 are still reported missing.
Nearly 18,000 people have been evacuated from dangerous areas. The number of houses damaged or destroyed rises to 34,000. A preliminary evaluation of damage to infrastructure and property disclosed today shows a total figure of US$ 1 billion.
Aftershocks continued on Monday, some as strong as to reach 5.0 in the Richter scale. The quake and the aftershocks have caused 185 landslides across El Salvador. The country is kept under national alert.
The Government of El Salvador is receiving humanitarian aid and specialized teams from more than twenty countries. The European Union has pledged US$2,000,000 and Japan US$500,000. Spain is contributing US$2,500,000, nearly two-thirds of it from private donations channeled in one day through Spanish NGOs. USAID reports that emergency teams have flown in from throughout Latin America, including Panama, Nicaragua, Mexico and Honduras. Germany and France have chartered jointly a special flight to send rescue teams and a mobile hospital to be located at San Miguel.
WFP has announced today that food aid will be distributed to 150,000 people during the next 15 days, increasing 3-times the number initially programmed.
WFP Operation
The Immediate Response Emergency Operation approved yesterday will benefit 50,000 people. A total of 525MT will be distributed among the most affected population in the departments of La Libertad, La Paz, Sonsonate, Usulutan, San Vicente, Santa Ana, San Salvador and Ahuachapan. Food rations are composed of maize, rice, pulses, vegetable oil and a corn-soya blend.
WFP has now in place 7 working teams, formed with staff from WFP Country Offices in Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala and El Salvador. Special efforts are being made to have a clear picture of what the needs are to better respond to the emergency.
Guatemala
Highlights
Guatemala was also affected by the earthquake, though not as seriously as in neighboring El Salvador. 6 people have been confirmed dead, and an unknown number of people have been injured.
Aftershocks continue to hit the country, but no further damage or loss of life is reported.