22 January 2001

San Salvador, El Salvador: The earthquake that shook El Salvador on 13 January 2001 has left widespread damage in more than 14 states throughout the country. According to information from the El Salvador's National Committee of Volunteers work together following January 2001 earthquake. 

ased on news received by the different boroughs and non-governmental organizations, there are still some communities still requiring assistance.

The National Committee for the International Year of Volunteers 2001 (IYV 2001) in El Salvador is organizing and campaigning for contributions and help from volunteers in assisting the people from the most affected areas in the country's interior. This support will help institutions providing food, clothes and other necessities. However, there is an urgent need for additional volunteers.

Through this tragic experience El Salvador's IYV National Committee has been able to add large numbers of volunteers to its volunteer database, an ongoing project during IYV 2001.

The spirit of helping others during this situation is prevalent throughout El Salvador. Despite a lack of a national call for aid, there has been a positive response from all interested to give their time and efforts to help others in need. To recognize the giving spirit of El Salvadorans, on 20 January, the National Committee invited around 53 volunteers to form eight groups identified as: Brigadas de Solidaridad (Solidarity Groups).

These Brigadas de Solidaridad have contributed in the distribution of food, clothes, medicines and other needs. The Mayor of San Salvador, a prominent National Committee member, has coordinated this relief effort.

The boroughs in El Salvador that have benefited from the help of the Brigadas de Solidaridad are: Puerto El Triunfo, Jiquilisco, Tecapán, Estanzuelas y Jucuapa in Usulután state. Another organization that has received the help from the Brigadas de Solidaridad is the Christian Youth Association, which was in charge of three Brigadas bring relief support to the boroughs of: Armenia and San Julián in the state of Sonsonate; San Pedro Nonualco, Nuevo Cuscatlán, Santa Tecla and Pinares de Suiza in the state of La Libertad and San Marcos in San Salvador. Volunteer organizations have assisted some 3,500 families. In only a few days there has been an increase of members of the Brigadas de Solidaridad. For this reason we can confirm there is still a spirit of helping others in El Salvador. The IYV 2001 National Committee has started to structure mechanisms to campaign for volunteerism in El Salvador.

The volunteers who have helped and have been registered into the expanding database can serve institutions that require volunteer assistance.