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REPORT ON HURRICANE IDA DISASTER
By Angelita Madrid
Translated and Edited by Palmer Corson
On Saturday, November 7, 2009 several municipalities in El Salvador were severely impacted by the storm IDA. The area with the most material and human damage is located in the central region of the country, specifically in the departments of San Vicente and La Paz. ASAPROSAR is taking action in these two departments with the Rural Communities Solidarity Program in the municipality of Verapaz in San Vicente which was the most affected municipality, and in the department of La Paz in four municipalities, Paraiso de Osorio, San Emigdio, San Miguel Tepezontes and Santa Maria Ostuma.
At approximately 11pm on Saturday villagers heard a roar but never sensed this noise was the landslide that was beginning to break away from the volcano Chinchontepec in the department of San Vicente. This landslide ultimately caused the damage in the affected municipalities, destroying homes, crops and claiming the lives of many families.
 On the morning of Sunday, November 12th people began to realize what had happened and the media began to report of the tragedy that occurred in the country, particularly in the town of Verapaz. Below is a table reflecting the impact on the towns served by ASAPROSAR and the actions developed.
“It sounded like a thousand tractors going by, and when I jumped from my bed the water reached my knees. Out of the window I saw the landslide and we ran to the roof to save ourselves, but the current took all the rest who could not make it to safety…….” (Wilson, survivor from the community of San Vicente, El Salvador)
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Impact of Disaster
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Action of ASAPROSAR
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Verapaz
- 75% of the urban area in the township (town) was totally destroyed by mud and stones.
- 100% of the San Antonio was buried.
- 22 people died
- 2 people missing
- Loss of electricity in its entirety
- Loss of water system in its entirety
- Loss of telephone communication channels
- Loss of 75% of the harvest of beans and corn.
- Loss of 65% of the harvest of cucumbers, onions, cabbage
- 939 families housed in 3 places (2 schools and 1 Church)
- 835 families evacuated for prevention
- 104 families who lost homes and property.
- Total loss of the Health Center
- Total loss of the National Institute of the Municipality.
- Loss of 2 bridges to access the town.
Paraíso de Osorio
- 10% destruction of houses
- 90% loss in maize and bean crops
- 260 families in 4 shelters
- 107 prevention evacuees
San Emigdio
- 10% destruction of houses
- 90% loss in maize and bean crops
- 23 families in 2 shelters
- Prevention evacuated 101 Personas
San Miguel Tepezontes
- 20% destruction of houses
- 60% loss in maize and bean crops
- 265 families in 2 shelters
- 320 prevention evacuees
- Loss of one school and one urban area in rural area
Santa María Ostuma
- 3 people died
- 5% destruction of houses
- 95% loss in maize and bean crops
- 44 families in 5 shelters
- 194 prevention evacuees
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All actions taken by ASAPROSAR from the first day of the disaster have been the same for all municipalities except the town of Verapaz, where ASAPROSAR is supporting the Environmental Unit Coordinator and Social Promoter in the development of a Risk Management Plan.
- Immediate communication with the ASAPROSAR technical teams and community promoters.
-Immediate presence in town centers on Sunday morning to be at the disposal of the Municipal Mayor.
- A tour of the disaster area to identify problems and assess the steps to be performed.
- Posting of ASAPROSAR promoters for supporting and monitoring the shelters.
- Coordinated with the municipality for the execution of a census on population and dwellings affected by the disaster.
- Negotiations for the donation of food, clothing, water and supplies for personal hygiene.
- Provided vehicles for mobilizing the support of donations and movement of food and water.
- Support for the coordination and control center for collecting donations from the City Hall.
- Development of emergency action plan with Medical Teams International to send 2 engineers specialized in developing a disaster and risk management plan.
- Management of donation of medicines from Medical Teams International.
- Distributed medicines donated by Medical Teams International to the Verapaz Health Center.
- Coordinated meetings with Municipal Mayors and Medical Teams engineers for disaster relief planning.
- Presentation of a short, medium and long term disaster diagnosis for the area to Municipal Mayors with Medical Teams International disaster engineers.
- Participation of ASAPROSAR in the teams formed by the central government for the coordination of disaster relief:
1. Shelter Sector Team
2. Bureau of Food Safety Sector Team
3. Humanitarian Sector Roundtable Team
4. Early Recovery Sector Roundtable Team
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To date we continue to monitor and support activities according to needs and requests of each of the Municipal Mayors. We continue to communicate with national and international agencies providing assistance and support.
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