World Church and World Accord
Provide Earthquake Relief to El Salvador

The RLDS Mission Support Fund Committee has committed up to $10,000 from the church’s Oblation Fund to aid El Salvador in the aftermath of a January 13 earthquake. World Accord, the Canadian humanitarian aid organization affiliated with the Reorganized CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST of Latter Day Saints, pledged $5,000 in aid.

Residents of a community near San Salvador hold up the dengue prevention supplies they received.

An additional $1,500 from the World Church Oblation Fund, which was already in the country to provide preventative measures and medications during an October 2000 hemorrhagic dengue fever outbreak, has now been approved for immediate earthquake relief. Two communities in San Salvador have already benefited from supplies provided by these funds. Plans to provide supplies to three additional communities were delayed by the January 13 quake. Needs for further dengue prevention measures will be addressed once the earthquake crisis has passed.

The initial 7.6 magnitude quake was followed by devastating mudslides and nearly 2,000 aftershocks, some registering more than 5.0 magnitude. More than 700 people died, approximately 2,500 were injured, and tens of thousands were evacuated from their homes. Hundreds of those homes were completely destroyed, safe drinking water was scarce in some areas, and many roads remained impassable as of February 2.

The RLDS Church has four congregations in this Central American country and approximately 125 members including missionaries. Although no church members lost their lives in this disaster, a few are without housing. For example, one church building near San Salvador, which also served as a family’s home, was severely damaged. The needs of church families will be a priority. Some may be able to return safely to their homes when the aftershocks subside.

Terry Shelton, administrator for the Latin America Region of the RLDS Church, and Seventy Ed Guy have been working with area ministers to offer support and further assess damages and needs. Oblation aid will initially be used in the Armenia community, where a majority of people have been displaced from their homes and no aid has been provided by other agencies. Mattresses, tarps, and blankets were purchased and distributed there at the end of January to benefit the many people who were sleeping on the ground.

Shelton was thankful for the church’s quick response in getting aid to El Salvador. “It is very heartening to people here to sense the support and concern that is expressed in the aid given by the World Church and World Accord,” he said.

--Kendra Friend