PADF Delivers Relief Aid to Flood-affected Communities in El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala
Washington, DC (21 October 2011) – Recent heavy rains across Central America have caused extensive flooding, mudslides and damage to infrastructure in many areas prompting the Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) with the support of the Organization of American States (OAS) to send emergency relief aid, including shelter materials, personal hygiene items, water purifiers and food supplies, to some of the hardest hit communities in the region.
“This time of the year is always challenging and difficult to provide help, but thanks to PADF and the kind generosity of its partners in the private sector, we have been able to offer some measure of assistance to the countries affected by the worst flooding in Central America in years,” says OAS Secretary General José Miguel Insulza.
With support from Citi, Chevron, and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., PADF is mobilizing relief supplies that will benefit 3,000 individuals in El Salvador. Assistance will be distributed by local partner Fundación Redes and will include basic food items, tents, blankets, plastic sheeting, personal hygiene kits, work gloves, lanterns, kerosene, water jugs, and water purification tablets. The distribution will be focused in the departments of La Paz, San Luis, La Herradura, San Pedro Masahuat, Jiquilisco, and Bajo Lempa. Redes will also use these funds to carry out medical brigades.
In neighboring Honduras, PADF partner Chevron will execute a donation through the American Chamber of Commerce in San Pedro Sula in partnership with the Permanent Commission for Contingencies (COPECO). This assistance will help purchase food supplies, mattresses, cooking kits, infant kits and water for 4,075 individuals in the department of Cortes who are currently staying at various shelters within the municipalities of San Pedro Sula, Villanueva, and Pimienta.
In Guatemala, Chevron is also working with PADF to provide assistance through local partner Fundación Castillo Córdova to more than 4,900 individuals living primarily in the department of Escuintla, one of the most affected areas. Each family will receive a food kit containing beans, corn flour, sugar, oats, protein supplements, and cooking oil. These supplies will also be distributed in the departments of Retahuleu, Santa Rosa, and Jutiapa.
“Responding to the needs of the region’s most vulnerable people is an important part of PADF’s mandate to meet critical humanitarian and development challenges by collaborating with our private sector partners and the Organization of American States,” says PADF Executive Director John Sanbrailo.
PADF is continuing its efforts to mobilize additional contributions from other donors, particularly corporate donors who have generously supported PADF’s relief efforts in the past.
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To contribute to PADF, please contact 877.572.4484 or give online at www.padf.org.
About the OAS
The Organization of American States (OAS) is the world’s oldest regional organization, dating back to the First International Conference of American States, which was held in Washington, D.C. from October 1889 to April 1890. Today, it is comprised of 35 independent states from Latin America and the Caribbean and constitutes the main political, juridical, and social governmental forum in the Hemisphere. The Pan American Development Foundation, which was created in 1962, is an affiliate of the OAS. www.oas.org
About PADF
PADF is a non-profit organization established
in 1962 to promote, facilitate
and implement social and economic development
in Latin America and the
Caribbean. In 2010, it helped more than 10.2
million beneficiaries in 22
countries. Headquartered in Washington DC, PADF
has field offices in Haiti and
Colombia. www.padf.org
Contact:
Hearly G. Mayr
Director of Communications and Public Affairs
Pan American Development Foundation
Tel: +1.202.280.3846
hmayr@padf.org
Donations (U.S. only): (877) 572-4484