Central America Flooding
October 2011
The Situation:
Torrential downpours have been affecting the countries of Central America, from southern Mexico to northern Panama. The heaviest hit countries have been El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. The heavy rains have brought a higher risk of flash, urban and river flooding. Added with the steep terrain and mainly dirt roads in the region there has been a heightened risk and occurrence of mudslides and completely impassible roadways. The situation has led to over 100 people killed in mudslides and hundreds of thousands displaced by flooding.
Another aspect of this disaster is timing, with its arrival coming right before crops were to be harvested. The rains have either killed much of the crops or made their harvesting impossible. With such a high rate of crop loss, aid agencies are preparing for the potential food crisis that will follow the immediate needs of this disaster. Also, many of the crops are used to gather seed for next years planting; so the loss of this year’s crop will mean a severe shortage in the next season’s seed supply.
ELCA Response:
The ELCA has been kept abreast of the situation through our missionary personnel in the area, companion churches in the affected countries and our membership in the Lutheran World Federation, who works in the region. The ELCA is supporting the responses being made in the four most affected countries through the LWF and the local churches in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.
For more information on the response of the ELCA through our companions and partners please read the following situation report:
What you can do:
Pray:
In the face raging storms and flooding waters we see the awesome and at times destructive power of creation and people need our prayers. As they move beyond these times of disaster and into the work of rebuilding life and livelihood they continue to need our prayers. As we carry on our lives as Christian sisters and brothers and as we gather as the body of Christ let us remember those who have been affected in the region of Central America. For some possible prayer petitions please use the ELCA Worship resource flooding and storms.
Study and Share:
As you follow the situation in the secular media, please check out these other resources for stories of how the ELCA and its companions are engaging in the situation.
Give:
Please help now with your contribution to ELCA Disaster Response designated for "Central America Flooding” or you can choose one of the four areas hit hardest: El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras or Nicaragua. Your designated gift will be used entirely (100 percent) to help families whose lives and livelihoods have been impacted by this disaster in Central America.