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February 13th update
Since January 13, 2001 El Salvador has been rocked by a series of earthquakes and aftershocks that have left the country in dire straits.
On Saturday, January 13, a quake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale caused extensive damage in the cities of Santa Tecla, Santiago de Maria, Santa Ana, San Agustin, and throughout rural areas of the country. Homes and infrastructure were destroyed and landslides blocked access to affected areas, isolating victims and increasing potential health problems. This quake was followed by a number of aftershocks that continued to strike fear in survivors.
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Children in El Carmen, Usulután. All photos © CARE 2001.
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On February 13, 2001, exactly one month after the first quake, a second quake struck, hitting areas that had previously escaped heavy damage and compounding damage in areas already hard-hit by the first quake. Since the second quake, the country has experienced hundreds of aftershocks that have continued to take a toll on survivors, in both psychological and material terms.
According to Rafael Callejas, CARE's country director in El Salvador: "People in El Salvador are really traumatized by the earthquakes and continuing aftershocks. They are sleeping in the streets either because their homes have been destroyed, or because they are afraid to return to their homes for fear they will collapse in another quake or an aftershock. And parents don't want to send their kids to school because they are afraid the structures are unsafe."
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CARE staffer Roberto Garcia stands inside the remains of the Miguel Angel Mohano's home in Lineares, Coulutel.
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CARE's Response
CARE responded to the first quake by providing emergency relief supplies including food, blankets, mattresses and safe drinking water. The organization was just winding down its emergency relief phase and beginning to focus on longer-term reconstruction when the second quake hit the country.
Damage caused by the second quake has pushed aid efforts back into "emergency" mode. Needs are for the basics: food, water and shelter. Aid efforts will focus on meeting these basic needs over the next several months. Once conditions are appropriate, the organization stands ready to support housing reconstruction and the repair of water and sanitation systems.
Callejas stressed the urgency associated with being able to move into reconstruction mode. "The rainy season is forecast to begin early this year.
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Brenda Marcelo holds her 10 month old son as CARE arrives to distribute food rations in El Carmen, Usulutn.
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As soon as April, rains may start that could trigger landslides and have an impact on health. We need to get people some sort of shelter and protection from the elements as soon as possible."
CARE has set a fundraising goal of $15 million to support emergency aid and rehabilitation programs in El Salvador over the next 24 months. CARE has also begun its long-term housing reconstruction program throughout the country. Fifty-five percent of the population is homeless or living under very precarious housing conditions. This program is expected to last 18 months. The chart below highlights CARE's relief efforts so far in El Salvador:
CARE Relief Activities in El Salvador
as of May 23, 2001 |
| Activity |
People Served |
| Emergency Food Rations |
189,515 |
| Temporary Shelter |
37,990 |
| Water and Sanitation |
125,000 |
| Medical Attention |
3,731 |
| Post Traumatic Stress - training of counselors |
100 |
| Temporary Classrooms |
4,000 |
| Emergency Utensils |
49,181 |
| Total |
409,517 |
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