THE EMERGENCY CONTINUES

The storm situation continues, and the number of people in refugee centers increases. Several families that remained scattered across the countryside have little by little been evacuated as they have no way to survive and have approached the shelters in search of help.

It is impossible to see the pass via the highway to Sonsonate, as the Tamanique River, the same river that passes through the community of Dos de Mayo, caused the bridge to collapse. Now to get to Jayaque, Zacacoyo, Tepecoyo and other locations in the area, one can only take the alternate route of the El Tránsito farm, or walk, making a transfer at the bridge on the road that from Sonsonate leads to San Salvador.

Road out at Altura de Ateos from a collapsed bridge.

The Lutheran Church delivered boxes of food containing enriched rice and enriched potatoes for children to some of the refugee centers located in the lower part of the mountain: Curazao, Dos de Mayo and La Labor. But more foodstuffs, children’s clothing, mattresses, blankets, etc. are needed.

On this day, Monday, October 17, the shelter of the Curazao school collapsed as a result of over-population and, as a result, work has already begun to open a new shelter in another of the nearby schools.

On Wednesday, Bishop Medardo Gómez will be visiting the communities of Jayaque and Opico to verify on site the damages caused by the rains and to bring a work of encouragement to the victims.

The rains in some locations have already ceased, but the authorities have made the call to not depend on it because rains can resume from one moment to the next. It is hoped that this situation will continue until the following Wednesday, but we are hopeful that it will disappear before then. Thanks to a fraternal solidarity, we can no assist our brothers and sisters that have been affected.

Traducción: Hno. Rip.