American Red Cross Commits $200,000 in Relief and Support to Central America

Assistance will aid flood-ravaged communities throughout the region

WASHINGTON, Oct. 25, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Red Cross is committing $200,000 in relief supplies and other support to assist Red Cross operations in Central America, where pounding rains have caused widespread flooding and landslides.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090108/RedCrossLOGO)

The relief supplies and support will target El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala, three countries particularly affected by the rains. In addition, the American Red Cross has deployed two disaster specialists to assist with response activities in El Salvador and Honduras.

Since the beginning of October, heavy rains associated with a tropical depression have caused flooding and landslides throughout Central America, resulting in nearly 90 deaths and affecting more than 600,000 people. An estimated 48,000 homes have been damaged, and 67,000 people are in shelters throughout the region.

The governments of all affected countries have declared national emergencies or heightened states of emergency. Roads, bridges, water supplies, electricity and other infrastructure are damaged in many areas. Landslides are a threat to many mountainous communities.

Red Cross societies in all countries of Central America are responding, including those from the most severely impacted countries of Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua. They are providing food, shelter and evacuation assistance for those affected and are coordinating with national emergency response agencies.

In El Salvador, more than 1 million people are affected, 20,000 homes have been damaged and 51,000 people have been evacuated. The Salvadoran Red Cross has mobilized more than 900 volunteers from its 56 branches. They are supporting evacuation efforts and search and rescue activities, conducting damage assessments, operating emergency shelters and distributing relief supplies to those in need. The Red Cross aims to assist at least 5,000 families (25,000 people) across the affected area with needed emergency shelter, health and relief supplies.

The Salvadoran Red Cross focused initial efforts on supporting evacuations of 5,000 people in high risk coastal areas to the 560 emergency shelters now in operation. Salvadoran Red Cross volunteers are supporting the operation of these shelters and providing assistance to the hundreds of families now temporarily living there. They are using prepositioned relief supplies to help families in emergency shelters with blankets, mattresses, hygiene kits, food and water. 

In Guatemala, more than 470,000 people are affected, 11,000 homes have been damaged and 23,000 people have been evacuated. The Guatemalan Red Cross is responding with the support of more than 1,400 volunteers. They are conducting search and rescue activities, providing medical assistance, setting up emergency shelters, providing for water and sanitation needs and assisting families in re-establishing contact with their relatives.

In Honduras, more than 17,000 people are affected by the floods, 900 homes have been damaged and 190 people have been evacuated. The Honduran Red Cross is responding with volunteers supporting evacuations, performing damage and needs assessments, monitoring situations in at-risk river communities and providing early warnings as needed and distributing aid supplies to those in affected communities. The Honduran Red Cross has identified the priority needs are for relief supplies, such as water containers and plastic sheeting, as well as safe water and medical assistance to affected areas.

In Nicaragua, 22,000 people are affected, more than 4,100 homes have been damaged and 10,000 people have been evacuated. The Nicaraguan Red Cross has responded by mobilizing more than 250 Nicaraguan Red Cross volunteers to provide first aid, conduct search and rescue, assist in evacuations and provide damage assessments. They are coordinating their work with local authorities.

Heavy rains are expected to continue in the region, with an estimated six inches expected throughout the region this week. The additional rainfall could accumulate on already saturated soil and in rivers, which are already flooding or near capacity. 

The American Red Cross is closely monitoring the situation and stands ready to provide further assistance if needed. 

The American Red Cross currently has long term disaster risk reduction programs throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, including in El Salvador. In 2010, the American Red Cross provided assistance for floods in Colombia, Panama and Costa Rica; in 2008, it provided assistance to Nicaragua, Honduras and Guatemala for floods.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

SOURCE American Red Cross