UN AGENCIES LAUNCH SIX-MONTH RECOVERY PROGRAMME FOR EL SALVADOR

UN AGENCIES LAUNCH SIX-MONTH RECOVERY PROGRAMME FOR EL SALVADOR

GENEVA, 26 January (OCHA) -- The United Nations will launch an Inter-Agency Appeal for $34.9 million today, for humanitarian assistance and initial rehabilitation to address the devastation caused by the powerful earthquake in El Salvador.  The earthquake measured 7.6 on the Richter scale, and hit El Salvador on 13 January.  The appeal will be launched in San Salvador at 9 a.m. local time.

This earthquake was one more tragic event in a country which has already suffered the consequences of an armed conflict from 1978 to 1992, and which had also been devastated by natural phenomena, such as hurricanes "Fifi" and "Mitch", in 1974 and 1998 respectively, and an earthquake in 1986.  All these events have added to the poverty and vulnerability, to which more than half the population of El Salvador is constantly exposed.

The devastating impact of this last earthquake on the livelihood of the Salvadorian population, as well as on the economy of the country, is well visible and documented.  Provisional data indicates that 726 people lost their lives, while 4,440 were injured and more than a million were affected.  Moreover, some 200,000 houses were damaged or totally destroyed, with an overall damage in infrastructure tentatively estimated at $1 billion. 

Today's appeal was prepared by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO)/World Health Organization (WHO), the World Food Programme (WFP), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) jointly with the Government, municipalities and the civil society.  It aims to mobilize funds for relief and initial rehabilitation activities, targeting 200,000 people for a period of six months from February to July.  The appeal focuses on food, health, water and sanitation, agriculture, cattle and fisheries, and housing sectors, and it is directed towards the most vulnerable groups like women and children.  Low cost housing with appropriate technology, and reactivation of the basic family economy, have been given priority attention.

The national and international response to this emergency has been generous so far.  Two weeks after the earthquake, contributions of some $35 million were reported to OCHA by governments and institutions.  However, much more has to be done to fully support El Salvador in its rehabilitation efforts.  The attention and support of the international community is now, more than ever, required, as humanitarian assistance is needed for thousands of people still without shelter. 

Special attention from the international community must continue unabated during the difficult rehabilitation and reconstruction phase.

The United Nations expresses its hopes that donors will respond positively and generously to this appeal, as they have in the past, in order to help this country and its people recover from this terrible tragedy.

For further information, please contact: Phyllis Lee, tel: (212) 963-4832 in New York or Donato Kiniger-Passigli, tel: (41-22) 917-2653 in Geneva.

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