16 March 2018
MRDF responds to El Salvador earthquake
The Methodist Relief & Development Fund (MRDF) was quick offthe mark to respond to the thousands of people left homeless by themajor earthquake to hit El Salvador in mid-January. The alliance of agencies, Action by Churches Together (ACT),through whom MRDF contributions are directed, sent a £33,000 grantto the region in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake. Forless than £10, ACT can provide emergency food aid that will enableone local family to overcome its immediate needs. Two collective centres supported by ACT - in Santa Tecla and SanSalvador - took in more than 3,000 people whose homes weredestroyed in the quake. Distribution of food, water, blankets andmattresses was the priority for the centres as well as tools forthe removal of earth and debris in communities where more than10,000 homes were damaged or destroyed. The El Salvador earthquake killed more than 600, injured 2,000and saw more than 20,000 evacuated from their homes. Rudelmar de Bueno di Fario of the Lutheran World Federation, whorepresents ACT in El Salvador said: 'Thousands of familiesincluding my own have been forced to live outdoors, afraid offurther injury if they remain in their weakened and collapsinghomes.' For further information or to make a donation to help earthquakevictims contact |