Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
San Vicente (Agenzia Fides) – In the night between November 7-8, 2009 heavy rains fell on El Salvador, as a result of Hurricane Ida, and caused landslides from the volcano Chinchontepec and flooding of rivers in the municipalities of San Vicente, Verapaz, San Cayetano and Tepetitan, Istepeque and Tecoluca and in all municipalities in the Department of San Vicente. This storm has left a terrible trail of damage: 124 have been found dead, there are missing persons, houses destroyed or damaged, ruined fields and crops, damaged roads, all the overland routes to the municipalities affected are inaccessible, as well as damage to essential services as lack of water, electricity, etc..
Caritas El Salvador in the Diocese of San Vicente, sent Agenzia Fides a detailed report on the situation, which is very critical due to "the lack of local resources and isolation." "The resources are not sufficient," say members of the local civil defense committees, composed of volunteers from the Pastoral-Social Office of Caritas of San Vicente. "The most severe damage has been suffered by the bridges over the Acahuapa River, the main access route to the City of San Vicente," informed through the few cell phones that work in the area.
According to Caritas report, in the City of San Vicente the main bridge collapsed and the community "La Caridad" has been swept away by the Acahuapa River: here there are no more houses, so the displaced persons have been lodged in the few schools and churches. In the City of Verapaz, one of the most affected, the landslide has caused the destruction of 40% of homes and many citizens are still missing. In the town of Tepetitan two people died and three are still missing. In San Cayetano Istepeque there are three dead and one missing. The injured people were brought to the emergency room.
In the communities of Junquillal la Galera and Casas Viejas, they are evacuating the population with a helicopter because the flood has swept away the access bridge. Here the damage is tremendous: there are no more homes and the cultivated fields have been completely ruined. In addition to these communities, Colonia La Caridad, Cologne Dos Puentes, San Luis, Pasaje San Jorge, Cologne Final Calle Quiñones, California, Pasaje Pacheco, and La Colonia El Jordan have also suffered substantial losses
Some immediate needs are: mattresses, blankets, food, water, medicine and personal hygiene kits. The report sent to Fides by the Diocesan Director of Caritas in San Vicente, Wilfredo Escobar Ramírez, offers a series of photos showing the terrible situation of the area of San Vicente. (EC) (Agenzia Fides 10/11/2009)
