Tropical Storm Matthew's Mess



Photo from today’s paper with caption that reads,
“Climatic conditions return to those typi­cal of the
rainy season; the un­seasonable situation has ended.”



Well friends, here we are again. I know some of you are probably scratching your heads and saying, “I think I’ve seen these pictures before, in fact, I think Kristi sent them to me!” I’m sure that many of you did receive very similar photos of the devastation in Guatemala caused by Hurricane Stan in October 2005. Unfortunately, the “view from the hammock” has changed completely over the course of one week!

While the rain has let up, the temperatures are still low and the sun is barely peeking through the dense clouds. Things are just beginning to dry out, but 171 communities remain on Red Alert due to the level of ground saturation and several of those are under water (above). More than 3,100 people have been moved to temporary shelter in 11 of the 14 departments across El Salvador. Many have no choice but to simply wait and see if their homes and belongings have weathered the storm. Others, like the families who live in the homes pictured here, could not be evacuated due to space limitations in the shelters. Beth Tellman, a Fulbright Scholar with CEIBA El Salvador wrote of this family on Tuesday, “The children sleep on the floor by the door out of fear that they might need to get themselves out.”

 

An estimated 45% of the bean crop and 40% of corn
has be ruined by the heavy rains and flooding,

result of Tropical Storm Matthew.

The immediate needs are great, and widespread. The people of El Salvador are struggling along with their sisters and brothers throughout Honduras, Guatemala and Nicaragua. Three out of the four major border crossings with Guatemala are currently closed due to massive mudslides and bridge washouts, and since much of the countries vegetables come from Guatemala, and crops have been devastated throughout the region this will certainly limit availability and result in a cost hike. El Salvador already suffers from inflated food costs and with an estimated loss of almost HALF of this year’s bean and corn crops, scarcity leading to an increase in imports will undoubtedly make next year’s prices unbearable, and for the most vulnerable populations, simply impossible. 

Naively, I assumed that having lived this once before, and coming prepared with rain gear and rubber boots, I would be ready, equipped. Rubber boots can’t fill empty bellies.

Weeping with those who weep…  



    Romans 12:15