Oxfam Canada

Published purpose

1 November 2011 - Since the first week of October, large parts of Central America have experienced torrential rains, leading to severe flooding and landslides in several countries. As of 26 October 2011, the number of affected people in El Salvador is approximately 300,000, while some reports indicate that this number could eventually reach 1 million. Government agencies have reported that flooding has impacted 181 of the country's 262 municipalities, has lead to 35 deaths, and displaced approximately 60,000 into 638 evacuation shelters across the country. Further, 2,000 square kilometres of land have been flooded, equivalent to 10% of the entire national territory, while there has been significant damage reported to the country's transportation, health, water, and sanitation infrastructure. With CIDA support, Oxfam Canada, along with the Organizacion de Mujeres Salvadorenas (ORMUSA), will work to meet the water, sanitation, hygiene and health needs of approximately 28,000 flood-affected beneficiaries in rural communities in 4 departments in El Salvador: La Paz, Sonsonate, La Libertad, and Ahuachapan. Specific activities will include: the provision of potable water and installation of water tanks for flood-affected communities; the repairing and cleaning of flood damaged latrines; the distribution of essential relief and hygiene items to affected families to meet their hygiene and basic needs; and, the provision of health and pyscho-social support services to affected families. .