IOM says initial estimates suggest 80 percent of corn, bean and vegetable crops there have been completely wiped out or damaged
LONDON (AlertNet) – The United Nations and aid agencies are seeking more than $15.7 million to help 300,000 people affected by floods and landslides in El Salvador, which is said to be grappling with one of its worst-ever disasters.
Heavy rains in Central America, which began on Oct. 10 as a result of low-pressure weather systems, lasted for 10 days or more in parts of the region, causing more than 120 deaths and impacting around 1.24 million people in El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras and Costa Rica.
The U.N.-backed appeal for emergency funds for El Salvador, launched on Tuesday, notes that widespread damage to agriculture and infrastructure has left the country "facing one of the greatest disasters in its history". The amount of rain recorded was the highest in 50 years – even more than during Hurricane Mitch in 1998.
Nearly 56,000 people have been evacuated to 638 shelters in all 14 departments, where many are in need of food, water and sanitation aid, according to the appeal document. An estimated 20,000 homes have been flooded, as well as 1,200 water wells.
There has been a rise in cases of flood-related illnesses such as diarrhoea, conjunctivitis, chicken pox and dengue fever, according to a report from the U.N. News Service.
Access for relief workers trying to get supplies to affected areas has been hampered as many roads are blocked by debris or cut off by flooding and landslides.
"There is particular concern to ensure active monitoring of the two principal volcanoes, due to possible mudslides and seismic movements in populated areas, including the capital," the appeal document adds.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) – which has asked for nearly $2.8 million to help affected communities across Central America – said facilities at temporary shelters need to be improved urgently to provide adequate living conditions. But many flood-hit families have yet to receive much – if any – assistance.
"Many communities in El Salvador are still cut off because of the high waters and mudslides. There are bridges and roads that have been destroyed or badly damaged," said Norberto Girón, IOM's chief of mission in the country. "We could be facing serious health risks and food shortages if the affected population does not receive the support it needs."
FOOD SECURITY WORRIES
Food prices in El Salvador are reported to have increased 10 percent in the past few days, the IOM said, adding that initial estimates suggest 80 percent of corn, bean and vegetable crops have been completely wiped out or damaged.
There are fears that the flood disaster will exacerbate food insecurity across Central America.
The U.N. World Food Programme (WFP) has provided emergency food rations to an estimated 230,000 people, according to the U.N. News Service, and is concerned about food security as the region was already facing rising food prices before the latest weather disaster.
In Honduras, floods have wiped out nearly two thirds of rice crops, and in Guatemala, the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) says some regions have lost up to 80 percent of crops.
More than half a million Guatemalans have been affected by the disaster, and the impoverished country – which already suffers from high hunger levels – is receiving relief items, as well as financial and logistical support, from government donors, companies, U.N. agencies and other aid groups.
The FAO plans to spend $1.5 million to kickstart the recovery of agriculture and livestock production across the region, the U.N. news report said.
Outside the U.N.-backed El Salvador appeal, the U.S. government has provided $624,000 for emergency response activities, including local procurement and distribution of aid supplies, in Central America's disaster-hit nations, according to the U.S. Agency for International Development.
(Editing by Rebekah Curtis)
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