News from the Field

After landslides and floods caused many deaths and widespread damage in the Central American state of El Salvador, JICA said it was shipping emergency supplies to help victims of the storms.

The heavy rains lashed El Salvador between November 6-8, triggering landslides and widespread flooding. At least 140 persons were killed, more than 60 were missing and nearly 14,000 persons were evacuated.

Hundreds of homes as well as bridges and roads were damaged as floods and mud covered large areas.

Following a request by the government, JICA said it was sending supplies of tents, plastic sheeting, plastic sleeping beds, blankets, water tanks, water purifiers and storage tanks from its Miami warehouse.

Natural disasters have hit many parts of the world during the year, making it one of the busiest periods in the history of the Japan Disaster Relief (JDR) system, a grouping of government organizations such as JICA, which is able to respond quickly by sending rescue teams, medical staff and emergency supplies to any affected area.