USAID/OFDA distributes emergency relief supplies following flooding and landslides in El Salvador in October 2011.

Save the Children

Key Developments

As of mid-October 2011, heavy rainfall associated with a tropical depression had caused flooding and landslides throughout El Salvador, resulting in more than 30 deaths and affecting an estimated 150,000 people, including approximately 20,000 individuals residing in more than 260 emergency shelters, according to the Government of El Salvador (GoES) Civil Protection Agency. On October 14, President Mauricio Funes declared a state of national emergency, and the GoES closed schools and evacuated vulnerable communities from areas threatened by landslides. The GoES conducted ongoing rescue operations, relief commodity deliveries, and assessments of damages and humanitarian needs.

On October 16, 2011, U.S. Ambassador Mari Carmen Aponte declared a disaster due to the effects of the floods. In response, USAID’s Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA) provided $50,000 through USAID/El Salvador to the GoES Civil Protection Agency for local procurement of non-food emergency relief commodities, including hygiene kits, kitchen sets, and fuel. On October 12, USAID/OFDA activated an El Salvador-based disaster risk management specialist and two local USAID/OFDA surge capacity consultants, who monitored conditions in coordination with USAID/OFDA staff in Washington, D.C., and San José, Costa Rica, the U.S. Embassy in San Salvador, GoES officials, the USAID/El Salvador Mission Disaster Relief Officer, and USAID/OFDA staff at U.S. Southern Command in Miami, Florida.

Background

Since 2003, USAID/OFDA has responded to four disasters in El Salvador, including floods, a volcanic eruption, and a tropical storm. USAID/OFDA disaster assistance contributed to the emergency relief efforts of local and international non-governmental organizations and supported GoES relief efforts. In addition to direct disaster assistance, USAID/OFDA supports ongoing disaster risk reduction activities and capacity building initiatives for disaster response in El Salvador and the larger Latin America and Caribbean region.