Reports received by Church headquarters say 14 members of the Church died in
last Saturday's earthquake in El Salvador. While names are not available at
this time, information indicates 11 perished in one neighborhood struck by a
landslide; three died in one home in another part of San Salvador.
One section of San Salvador was devastated by a land slide, where most of the
deaths occurred, and many homes were destroyed. Elder Lynn G. Robbins, Area
President for Central America, visited San Salvador and reports that as a whole
the city is not badly damaged.. "The worst damage is the area of the
landslide which has been shown on television," he said. Several Church
meetinghouses also received minor damage.
Some meetinghouses are being used as temporary emergency shelters. One stake
center of the Church, located within six blocks of the landslide area, is
providing temporary shelter for several families left homeless by the quake.
Missionaries are involved in cleanup and rescue efforts. On Monday, Elder
Robbins saw about 30 missionaries working with community members in the
landslide area.
Local leaders of the Church in Central America are using long-standing Church
welfare procedures to help earthquake victims. Bishops will be using fast
offering funds to provide for basic needs of members.
"There is no shortage of food," says Elder Robbins. "The
supermarkets are open. But some people are without shelter." Plans are
underway to provide building materials in selected circumstances so families and
Church quorums can repair and rebuild members' homes.
Based on assessments made in El Salvador, Church emergency response
representatives at headquarters plan to purchase 500 tents through sources in
Central America to provide shelter for people left homeless by the earthquake. A
representative of Church Humanitarian Service will travel to El Salvador to
consider other assistance.
