Ongoing Assistance Will Be Needed Following Earthquake in El Salvador, Says PAHO Director
Washington, DC (PAHO) January 19, 2001—The director of the Pan American Health Organization, Dr. George A.O. Alleyne, said today that international assistance for the people in El Salvador “must continue long after the images of the earthquake have disappeared from the television screens.”
Alleyne praised the “support from around the world as a good example of solidarity in a time of crisis.” He added: “I especially note with pride the assistance from the family of the Americas, the countries from throughout the Western Hemisphere, who showed an example of the Pan Americanism that we seek to promote.”
The Director, who was in Geneva at a World Health Organization meeting, noted that the response “without panic” by the Salvadorans, “is a tribute to the people of El Salvador and their leadership.” He also congratulated the health ministry and the health workers who “showed once again their untiring commitment.”
Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) staff from headquarters in Washington, D.C., and throughout the Americas traveled to El Salvador following the 13 February quake, which has left hundreds dead and thousands homeless. PAHO staff members were involved with Salvadoran officials in evaluating the health infrastructure, assuring clean water, epidemiological surveillance, and health promotion, especially in the area of mental health.
On Friday, PAHO health workers were assisting with setting up latrines at shelters, restoring hospitals, evaluating damage to laboratories, investigating reports of disease, and implementing a mental health plan to deal the traumas of the earthquake, according to Dr. Jean-Luc Poncelet, regional advisor for PAHO´s emergency preparedness program.
Alleyne, emphasizing the need for ongoing help to rebuild the country´s health sector, said that El Salvador has suffered so much, most recently following Hurricane Mitch. “We can´t forget them.”
PAHO reissued an international appeal on Thursday and was seeking $1.75 million in humanitarian assistance. In addition, monetary donations can be sent to the Pan American Health and Education Foundation, a non-profit that works with PAHO. For more information, please see www.paho.org.
PAHO, founded in 1902, works with all the countries of the Americas to improve the levels of health of its peoples. It also serves as the Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization.
For further information contact: Bryna Brennan, tel (202) 974-3458 , fax (202) 974-3143, Office of Public Information, email brennanb@paho.org, Internet: www.paho.org