|
El
Salvador was hit by two major earthquakes, one on January 13 and
another on February 13, 2001. These catastrophies have caused more
damage to the country than the 12-year war that ended in 1992. More
than 1100 people died, and 1.5 million were left homeless (over
20% of the population).
The Salvadorans continue to face the challenge of Reconstruction.
Because of the decrease in international attention and therefore
aid, and the lack of integrity and capacity of the government to
distribute aid, communities must fend for themselves as far as looking
at long-term reconstruction plans. For many it is an opportunity
to once again build community organization at a grassroots level,
organization with which the Salvadoran people have had extensive
experience.
Between January 2001 and November 2002, Project Salvador raised
over $215,000 for post-earthquake reconstruction. 100% of all funds
received were sent directly to El Salvador. See the Summary section
below for the distribution of our Earthquake Relief funds.
Project Salvador is now focusing on assisting people in Tierra Blanca
who were renting at the time of the earthquakes. Project Salvador
initially supported this effort through a $50,000 grant from the
United Methodist Church's UMCOR Program/Emergency Services International.
The June 2002 Project Salvador delegation helped the community of
La Gracia in Tierra Blanca with drainage ditches and construction
of the community school/clinic. Construction is now underway on
44 homes for families who were renting homes that were destroyed
during the earthquake. After two years of living in makeshift housing
of sheet metal, these families are now looking toward a future that
includes dignified housing.
Funds
were disbursed as follows:
TIERRA BLANCA--As
of April 1, 2003, $121,000
has
been sent to Sr. Elena Jaramillo, CSJ of the parish of Nuestra Seņora
de Guadalupe and the Emergency Committee in Tierra Blanca for housing
construction and purchase of land. Over 144 permanent houses have
been built or are being constructed at a cost of $1200 each in Tierra
Blanca and surrounding communities. The Committee, comprised of
17 representatives each elected by residents in their 4-block sector,
will continue to choose additional families to receive housing as
funds are raised. There are over 400 families in need of housing
in Tierra Blanca alone. Photos of
the reconstruction work in Tierra Blanca. A year ago, the Committee
purchased about 10 manzanas (approx. 16 acres) of land in two different
locations for families who lost their house but have no land. Through
much diligence, the land was legalized and is being titled to 85
families. Homes have been constructed for 79 families in La Gracia,
with enough land to accommodate 3 more. Another plot of land on
the outskirts of Tierra Blanca will have 24 homes built upon it.
JAYAQUE:
A
total of 227 homes were constructed in the parish
of San Cristobal between June 2001 and Nov. 2002. Project Salvador
supported the construction efforts in Jayaque with a total of $88,800.
The homes in Jayaque were built by the families themselves with
the aid of an UCA engineer and a parish coordinator. Because of
Jayaque's vulnerability on the earthquake ravaged Balsamo Mountain
Range, they are constructed with steel frames rooted several feet
into the ground with cement posts. The actual costs of constructing
the homes was somewhat higher than originally projected, with materials
costing over $1800, but our dollars still went a very long way in
supporting this important reconstruction effort. See photos
of Jayaque and the housing construction.
EQUIPO MAIZ:
$8000
received
for sheet metal & blankets for 550-700 families in Ataco, Ahuachapan
and Huizucar, La Libertad.
SAN MARTIN: $5,000
has been sent to build low-cost homes.
JESUIT EMERGENCY RELIEF NETWORK (RIDE):
$10,000
was
sent in January 2001 for emergency supplies including blankets,
mattresses, plastic, kitchen utensils, water & water jugs, food,
clothing, etc.
LAS DIGNAS:
$2500
was earmarked by several donors to support Las Dignas work with
marginilazed communities affected by the earthquakes. At our annual
meeting on March 16, 2002, the Project Salvador Board decided to
continue to make Earthquake Reconstruction efforts a major long-term
project of Project Salvador. We will continue to focus our efforts
on the communities of Tierra Blanca and Jayaque, both of which are
making great strides in organizing their long-term housing reconstruction
strategies. This kind of direct relationship will provide us with
the opportunity to see an impact and to continue to build awareness
of the deeper global economic and justice issues that are at the
root of the current crisis in El Salvador.
Photos
from Patty's Visit
March 20- April 3, 2001
| JAYAQUE |
| |
 |
Water
supplies were contaminated or destroyed in many communities.
Lack of water is a serious concern.
|
| |
 |
Residents
have constructed "homes" of plastic and bamboo in
the streets.
|
| |
 |
| In
many places, the hillsides washed away, burying homes and roads.
Mounds of rubble remain. |
|
| SAN
MARTIN |
| |
 |
Meeting
with Mujeres Tinecas artesan group.
|
| |
 |
People
must use whatever they can to put up "walls" as the
rainy season approaches.
|
| |
 |
Make-shift
housing; it will never withstand the rains to come.
|
| |
 |
Adobe
brick walls were unable to withstand the tremors.
|
| |
 |
| A
"provisional" kitchen. |
| |
| |
| TIERRA
BLANCA |
| |
 |
The
Emergency Council meets every Sunday to organize the housing
reconstruction project.
|
| |
 |
One
of 19 families selected for the first phase of construction.
|
| |
 |
| Homes
are being constructed with cinderblock reinforced with rebar
to make them resistant to future quakes. |
| |
June-July,
2001
| TIERRA
BLANCA |
|
| |
|
|
|
Our
Lady of Guadalupe Parish |
|
|
 |
Sr.
Elena Jaramillo
(Patty Lawless, Project Coordinator in
background) |
| |
|
|
Normandy
Cooperative,
Tierra Blanca |
|
|
 |
Destroyed
home - soon to be rebuilt. |
| |
|
 |
A
finished, reinforced cement-block home in Tierra Blanca,
funded by Project Salvador. |
|
|
 |
Mariachis
and folk dancers celebrate the reconstruction of the first
houses in Tierra Blanca. |
| |
|
|
Hurray!! |
|
|
| JAYAQUE |
|
| |
|
 |
Mass
was held outdoors for several weeks following the earthquakes. |
|
If you would like to help the Salvadoran people rebuild we continue
to send donations. Please send donations to:
| |
Project
Salvador,
Earthquake Relief Fund,
Box 300105,
Denver, CO 80203-0105
e-mail: luchando@juno.com
phone: 303-298-8969 |
Return to TOP
|
