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Giving Nourishment To El Salvador's Earthquake Victims
San Salvador, El Salvador -- It is still easy to see the earthquake's path of destruction after almost a year and a half. Hundreds died. Thousands of children and their families became homeless. In continuing its disaster relief efforts and in cooperation with El Salvador's Ministry of Defense, Operation Blessing sent 256,000 nutritious meals to these earthquake victims living in San Salvador last month.
Slightly smaller than Massachusetts and the smallest country in Central America, El Salvador is home to more than six million people struggling to rebuild their lives. Forty-eight percent barely survive below the poverty line. According to the World Fact book 2001, "El Salvador is...suffering from a weak tax collection system, factory closings, the aftermaths of 1998's Hurricane Mitch, the devastating earthquakes of early 2001, and weak world coffee prices."
"The rebuilding process is coming along slowly," commented Dick Kohl, Operation Blessing's Director of Disaster Relief and Medical Outreach. "The earthquake damaged 80% of the homes in some areas."
Drought has been forecasted for this year. There has already been insufficient rainfall for planting. This will only add to the troubles of children and their families already suffering from malnutrition. This continuing need is why Operation Blessing has shipped a total of 640,000 meals of donated rice casserole to El Salvador since the beginning of this disaster. Volunteer high school students in Minnesota package six servings in each bag. A single serving meets 50% of the daily required United States standard for vitamins and minerals for growing children. One just has to add boiling water to the chicken flavored rice, dehydrated vegetables, and added supplements, then simmer.
In addition to parents now being confident that they are feeding their children something tasty and nutritious, the little ones also have been given a new and sometimes their only toy. Approximately 12,000 cuddly Ty Toys were shipped and presented as gifts during April's food distribution. The smiles project coordinator Gilda Cole ran into during the distribution were contagious. "Thank you again for helping the poor and needy of El Salvador. May God return your generosity and keep you well for His service," she expressed.
As El Salvador continues its long rebuilding process, Operation Blessing will be alongside them and as well as those around the world needing hunger and disaster relief. We need you, our OBI partners!
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