EL SALVADOR: EARTHQUAKE

Transcription

1 EL SALVADOR: EARTHQUAKE 21 March 2001 appeal no. 02/01 situation report no. 10 period covered: 26 February - 9 March 2001 The Salvadorean Red Cross Society (SRC) operation, supported by the Federation and several PNS, is progressing well. SRC activities are focused on the provision of food, shelter, safe water, psycho-social support and prevention of disease through health education. Since the major earthquake which caused significant damage on 13 January last, the National Geotechnical Institute reports more than 6,000 tremors. With the approach of the rainy season as of April together with the threat of hurricanes, inhabitants of rural areas, in particular vulnerable families struggling to recover from the earthquake disaster, may be in need of further assistance. The context A major earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale occurred off the coast of El Salvador on Saturday, 13 January 2001 at 11:33 am local time. The epicentre of the earthquake was some 105 km south-south east of the capital, San Salvador. The earthquake caused major damage in the departments of San Miguel, Santa Ana, La Libertad, La Paz and San Salvador. The most heavily affected area was the neighbourhood of Las Colinas in the suburbs of Santa Tecla/Nueva San Salvador, where the earthquake triggered a landslide covering an estimated 400 houses entirely in mud. However, later assessments subsequently revealed a far broader impact as rural areas across the country were severely damaged, resulting in the displacement of whole communities. One month to the day after this earthquake, an aftershock registering 6.6 on the Richter scale struck some 30 km east of San Salvador on the morning of Tuesday, 13 February at 8:22 a.m local time, reducing many rural communities to rubble, killing over 300 persons and causing major damage to water systems.

2 On Saturday, 17 February, at approximately hours local time, El Salvador was shaken by a further tremor, the epicentre of which was south of the city of San Salvador. The quake measured 5.3 on the Richter scale and caused landslides and damaged more homes. Latest events Although only one relatively small tremor measuring 3.3 on the Richter scale was felt during the reporting period, the National Geotechnical Institute records a total of 20 tremors solely on the day on which this shock occurred. A total of 429 tremors took place during the month of March throughout various parts of the country. Fortunately, these recent tremors have not caused major damage or casualties; however, they have increased anxiety levels amongst the population, especially those who were badly affected by the two major earthquakes. Furthermore, government officials are expressing concern as regards the forthcoming rainy season. According to government figures, as many as 200,000 homes need to be built before the rain starts in order to avoid further casualties and suffering amongst the displaced population. In addition, there is a fear of further disasters. As heavy rains begin, there is an increased risk of landslides and flooding given the fragility of the soil after continual movement during the earthquakes and aftershocks. Red Cross/Red Crescent action Objective 1: To meet the basic needs and support the resettlement of the population of the Cafetalón macro-shelter. In agreement with the local municipality, the SRC supported by the Federation and the Spanish Red Cross, carried out a survey in order to identify those families affected by the earthquakes who would be involved in the return home project. The number of families identified for the project has risen from 500 to 664. During the reporting period, the population in the Cafetalón shelter decreased from 875 families to 625. Of the 250 families which left the macro-shelter this week, 52 had been identified by the survey and therefore received a food package. The German Red Cross provided transportation for 41 families over the reporting period. In addition, the population at Cafetalón continues to benefit from water and sanitation activities as well as community education carried out by the Salvadorean Red Cross with support from the Federation and the American Red Cross. The target date for closure of the Cafetalón macro-shelter is 30 April Objective 2: To provide the basic needs and support the resettlement of 30,000 (6,600 Federation case load) families in the departments of Sonsonate, Ahuachapán, Cuscatlán, San Miguel, Santa Ana, La Paz, Usulután, San Vicente, and San Salvador. - Relief Distribution 25 February - 9 March 2001 Following the activities included in the revised plan of action, the Salvadorean Red Cross, with support from the Federation, assisted some 1,600 families in the departments of La Paz and Cuscatlán with food packages. Furthermore, during this same distribution, 8,025 people from the municipalities of Paraiso de Osorio, San Emigdio, and Candelaria Cuscatlán, received kitchen utensils thanks to a contribution from the Netherlands Red Cross. In the municipality of San Emigdio (La Paz), the National Society with support from both the Federation and the American Red Cross, distributed a total of 568 hygiene kits and blankets. During the reporting period, a donation of 75 tons of food from the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs was received. This donation valued at USD 144,366, was distributed by the SRC with support from both the Federation and the French Red Cross to 983 families (7,390 beneficiaries) in El Congo and Potrerio (Santa Ana) and 495 families in San Lorenzo and San Sebastian (San Vicente). In addition to the above mentioned distributions, the National Society, with support from the Federation, carried out an additional distribution of 325 plastic tents in accordance with an agreement with UNDP. These 2

3 plastic tents will serve as shelters for 1,625 people in the municipalities of Costa Rica, San Emigdio and Paraiso de Osorio. - Logistics and warehousing: Training activities with a view to capacity building continue to be a focus of the Federation s involvement. As for the procurement of a truck, household kits and a tanker, local companies have been identified in accordance with Federation procurement procedures. In the same way, in preparation for distributions under the second phase, the logistics delegate is undertaking identification of companies for the supply of food packages, kitchen sets and water and sanitation kits. - Water and sanitation: Fortunately, recent tremors and aftershocks have not caused further damage to water supplies. Water and sanitation activities are ongoing in Sonsonate and Cojutepeque. In Sonsonate, activities include the installation of tanks in areas with a limited water supply; these will be removed once the water supply has been restored. Health promotion activities are taking place and an impact and quality assessment is planned in order to analyse the current sanitation situation and make the necessary improvements. A member of the technical team from Sonsonate will attend a workshop on water and sanitation disaster preparedness. In Cojutepeque, activities include the continuation of water trucking to rural and urban areas that do not have tanks in co-ordination with the American Red Cross and OXFAM. These activities have, however, been reduced given the restoration of the ANDA (national water company) water system in some regions. The situation is monitored by the water and sanitation delegate in order to ensure adequate trucking facilities. In future, plans include the reduction of trucking activities, as well as the removal of tanks, as appropriate. Nevertheless, in the municipalities of San Jose la Ceiba and Miraflores Abajo, the tanks and tap stands may be maintained in order to increase storage capacity. In keeping with further needs as regards water, Oxfam has expressed interest in providing the SRC or communities with tanks upon request. Objective 3: To prevent the outbreak of epidemics by providing primary and preventative health care for targeted displaced populations. The Ministry of Health (MoH) continues to ensure coordination of health care to populations affected by the earthquakes. Medical staff have been assigned to the temporary shelters to ensure provision of health care. Epidemiological surveillance has been undertaken and to date, as a result of appropriate preventative measures, there have been no major outbreaks of disease. The MoH is presently concerned by the increase in breeding grounds for the mosquito which carries dengue fever. In order to prevent an epidemic of dengue in the coming months, a campaign is needed to remove debris from the earthquake and to protect water storage sites to prevent breeding of mosquitoes. In more rural areas, health centres and health posts have received additional medicine and staff from the MoH. Furthermore, medical teams from a variety of organisations continue to provide additional assistance to the affected areas. In the coming weeks, it is expected that the numbers of these teams and the assistance they provide will be reduced. The SRC received a major donation of medicines from the Bayer company. These medicines have been distributed to the network of Red Cross clinics and to MoH hospitals treating the affected populations. Objective 4: To provide psycho-social support to the affected population and volunteers. After three major earthquakes and continuing aftershocks, psycho-social support for those affected, as well as for the volunteers working around the clock to bring relief to disaster victims, is essential. 3

4 With assistance from the American Red Cross, this week saw the start of a formal debriefing process for volunteers. Each of the 1,500 volunteers and staff of the Salvadorean Red Cross involved in the relief action will have the opportunity to talk with other volunteers and mental health professionals to discuss experiences, explore the effects of these experiences on their lives and, if necessary, receive formal treatment. The seven Red Cross psycho-social support health brigades continue to provide health interventions to the communities most affected by the earthquakes (Sonsonate, La Paz, Cuscatlán and San Vicente). One aspect of this intervention is working with children through play, drawings and discussions. This is carried out with local teachers who are trained to identify children who need extra specific assistance. Adults are encouraged to express their feelings either in private or through group discussion sessions. If necessary, a health professional can provide assistance and refer those needing specific treatment. Salvadorean Red Cross brigades supported by the American, Italian and French Red Cross Societies are coordinating their activity with the MoH and other organisations such as UNICEF and MSF. The Italian Red Cross is supporting training of SRC volunteers at branch level in psychological first aid, and the French Red Cross is training teachers in communities to support and assist children in their care. The Federation psychotherapist is currently visiting El Salvador to make an evaluation of the work of the psycho-social support health brigades and make recommendations for programme development. Objective 5: To improve the health of communities affected by the disaster through the development of community health brigades. To provide medical care to the affected communities, the SRC currently has four mobile teams including doctors and nurses who are visiting rural communities affected by the earthquakes (La Libertad, La Paz, San Vicente and Usulután) on a regular basis. These visits are co-ordinated with the MoH and local health centres. In addition, the Red Cross teams make donations of medicines to the local health facilities to strengthen the local services, as appropriate. Campaigns for health education in view of the prevention of epidemics are underway. The Salvadorean Red Cross medical brigades benefit from assistance from the Japanese, Spanish and French Red Cross Societies. As medical support from other organisations will be reduced in the coming weeks, the SRC will assess the need to form further brigades. With the beginning of the rainy season in April, the threat of epidemics and the health needs of the population will increase. Objective 6: To ensure the capacity of the National Society to deliver effective disaster response services in the immediate and medium future. A workshop focusing on both the national relief plan and the national response plan will take place at the end of March. The disaster preparedness delegate has worked on the organisation of this workshop and has carried out awareness-raising since preparedness is essential given the forthcoming season of intense rains and hurricanes. The importance of an updated, appropriate contingency plan is paramount, particularly in view of the arrival of the rainy season. For the same reasons, the SRC three year disaster preparedness programme has been reviewed in order to ensure its relevance. Objective 7: To strengthen the disaster response capacity and preparedness of the SRC and of communities; to explore and implement appropriate mitigation measures at the local level and to strengthen the links between National Society branches and vulnerable communities. A construction expert is now working in the field, primarily in Sonsonate where he has travelled throughout the department to evaluate the nature of the damage incurred and the need for building materials. Advice will be provided to the communities as regards improved housing structures. 4

5 Objective 8: To increase the social well being of the affected population through increased respect for the rights of the most vulnerable - including children and the elderly - and a reduction of family violence. Identification of post emergency projects is continuing. Objective 9: To strengthen the National Society branches and to increase their ability to address the needs of the most vulnerable through sustained and effective programming and service delivery. A branch development delegate is to be assigned to the operation. Objective 10: To promote a coherent Red Cross image. The information delegate, with support from the regional delegation, has been active in advising and supporting the SRC media department as well as the Federation delegation and the PNS. Outstanding needs The main concern at present is the onset of the first rains and their effect on the vulnerable population. Should the rains be intense, there may be a need to envisage increased assistance or to extend the geographical coverage of SRC activities. External relations - Government/UN/NGOs/Media Every two weeks a co-ordination and information meeting takes place with MSF-Holland, Medicos del Mundo, Action against Hunger, American Red Cross, OXFAM and the Federation. The President of El Salvador attended a meeting of the Consultative Group on Central America in Madrid between 7 and 9 March. The meeting was coordinated by the Inter-American Development Bank. Participants included members of the Salvadorean government, representatives of civil society, key donors and UN agencies. The Federation was represented by the President of the Spanish Red Cross who is Chairman of the Development Commission and by members of the Secretariat s Americas Department. At this meeting, the President of El Salvador expressed the urgent need to reconstruct the country after two major earthquakes, stressing that it was essential to build 200,000 new homes before the rainy season in April. Contributions See Annex 1 for details. The appeal coverage currently stands at 97 per cent. Peter Rees-Gildea Head a.i. Relationship Management Department Santiago Gil Head Americas Department This and other reports on Federation operations are available on the Federation's website: 5

6 Central America / El Salvador, earthquake ANNEX 1 APPEAL No. 02/2001 PLEDGES RECEIVED DONOR CATEGORY QUANTITY UNIT VALUE CHF DATE COMMENT CASH TOTAL COVERAGE REQUESTED IN APPEAL CHF > 7'645' % CASH CARRIED FORWARD AMERICAN - PRIVATES 8' AMERICAN - 2 PRIVATES 2' AMERICAN - PRIVATES 5'400 USD 8' ANDORRAN - RC 31' AUSTRIAN - RC 1'000'000 ATS 111' AUSTRALIAN - GOVT 100'000 AUD 91' FOOD, MEDICINES, SHELTER MATERIALS AND BLANKETS AUSTRALIAN - RC 65'000 AUD 58' BRITISH - GOVT (DFID) 98'039 GBP 242' EARMARKING TO BE SPECIFIED BRITISH - RC 170' REIMBURSEMENT DREF BRITISH - GOVT (DFID) 55'792 GBP 134' X WATER TANKERS (MAX. 6 MONTHS) BRITISH - RC 90'000 GBP 216' BRITISH - PRIVATE CANADIAN - RC 70'000 CAD 77' CANADIAN - GOVT 150'000 CAD 165' CANNOT BE USED FOR PURCHASE OF FOOD ITEMS CANADIAN - RC 150'000 CAD 162' WATER & SANITATION TRAINING & DP CANADIAN - RC 150'000 CAD 162' HEALTH CLINICS & WATER SANITATION CANADIAN - RC 300'000 CAD 324' CANNOT BE USED FOR PURCHASE OF FOOD ITEMS CANADIAN - RC 200'000 CAD 216' HEALTH & CAPACITY BUILDING CHILEAN - RC 11'000 USD 17' CYPRUS - RC 5' DANISH - RC 92'500 DKK 18' DANISH -RC 185'000 DKK 38' FINNISH - RC 43'729 EUR 65' FINNISH GOVT 159'778 EUR 245' HONG KONG - RC 57' ICELANDIC - RC 1'000'000 ISK 19' IRISH - RC 20'000 IEP 38' IRISH - GOVT 200'000 IEP 381' ITALIAN - RC 100'000'000 ITL 77' EMERGENCY SHELTER MATERIALS & FOOD ITALIAN - PRIVATE JAPANESE - RC 37' JAPANESE - GOVT 498'870 USD 812' TEMPORARY DWELLINGS (2'500 KITS JAPANESE - RC 142' COSTS OF DELEGATE TO BE CHARGED JAPANESE - RC 347'933 USD 566' MOBILE COMMUNITY HEALTH BRIGADES PROGRAMME (3 BRIGADES/ 3 MONTHS) KOREA, REPUBLIC - RC 30'

7 KOREA, REPUBLIC - RC 30' LIECHTENSTEIN - RC 53' LIECHTENSTEIN - PRIVATE 15' MALTESE - RC 29' MONACO - RC 200'000 FRF 46' NETHERLANDS - GOVT 504'490 NLG 352' FOR PURCHASE OF HYGINE KITS, INDUSTRIAL KITCHENS, BED KITS, MANAGEMENT / OPERATION SUPPORT NETHERLANDS - GOVT/RC 66'800 NLG 46' NEW ZEALAND - govt 100'000 NZD 71' NORWEGIAN - RC 250'000 NOK 46' NORWEGIAN - GOVT 2'060'000 NOK 385' OPEC 200'000 USD 335' EMERGENCY RELIEF SUPPLIES PHARMACIA & UPJOHN FOUNDATION 25'000 USD 40' RELIEF ITEMS SHELL INTERNATIONAL 25'000 USD 40' SINGAPORE - RC 23' SINGAPORE - RC 2' SPANISH - PRIVATE 1' SWEDISH - GOVT/RC 600'000 SEK 104' SWEDISH - GOVT/RC 1'045'000 SEK 181' SWISS - PRIVATES SWISS - 10 PRIVATES 2' SWISS - PRIVATE TURKISH - RC 50' UNITED ARAB EMIRATES 10'000 AED 4' UNHCR STAFF 4' VENEZUELA - PRIVATE 10'000 USD 16' VENEZUELA - PRIVATE 36'518'000 VEB 85' WHO STAFF 2' ONLINE DONATIONS 415 USD ONLINE DONATIONS 5' ONLINE DONATIONS 11' SUNDRY INCOME - PRIVATES SUB/TOTAL RECEIVED IN CASH 6'700'280 CHF 87.6% KIND AND SERVICES (INCLUDING PERSONNEL) DONOR CATEGORY QUANTITY UNIT VALUE CHF DATE COMMENT BRITISH - RC 7'487 GBP 18' MDPE PIPE, PUMPS, TAPS, SUCTION HOSE, TRANSPORTATION ERICSSON 36'506 USD 59' SEE PMN FOR DETAILS FINNISH - RC 6'500 EUR 10' FACT TEAM MEMBER COSTS FRENCH - RC 223'430 EUR 343' NETHERLANDS - RC 411'122 NLG 286' TENTS 27 M2, 600 FAMILY TENTS 12M2 EMERGENCY HEALTH KITS, GENERATORS, DISPENSARY TENTS, FAMILY TENTS, REINF. PLASTIC SHEETING, JERRY CANS, KITCHEN SETS SUB/TOTAL RECEIVED IN KIND/SERVICES 718'198 CHF 9.4% ADDITIONAL TO APPEAL BUDGET DONOR CATEGORY QUANTITY UNIT VALUE CHF DATE COMMENT SUB/TOTAL RECEIVED 0 CHF THE FOLLOWING PROJECTS ARE LINKED TO THIS APPEAL: PSV507 7

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