MAP International Responds With Medicines And Medical Supplies For The Victims Of The El Salvador Earthquake

MAP International
Tuesday, 16 January 2001

Brunswick, GA, January 16, 2001 On January 13, 2001 an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.6 on the Richter Scale jolted the El Salvadoran coastline approximately 65 miles southwest of San Miguel. Utilities to the area continue to be disrupted and landslides in and around San Salvador have blocked roads and bridges. Over 230 deaths have been reported, and more than 1,200 people have been buried in the massive mudslides. El Salvadoran President Francisco Flores has declared a national emergency and is appealing for international assistance. "El Salvador was by far the worst hit," stated Jim Oehrig, in MAP's Latin America office. "The neighborhoods on the west side of San Salvador are especially devastated, as are the towns and villages west of the capital toward the border with Guatemala."

MAP International (Medical Assistance Programs) is responding to the medical needs of the people in El Salvador through the provision of essential medicines, including painkillers, antibiotics, and trauma and other healthcare supplies. "Coordination is being managed between the MAP US Office and our Regional Office in South America, along with involvement between the MAP Bolivia Health Offices and the Medical University of San Salvador," stated John Garvin, MAP's director of relief and agency services. MAP International's phase one response will address the initial and most emergent needs, phase two will assist with reconstruction and rehabilitation based on assessments of contacts in country. Further shipments are being reviewed for scheduling based on reports from MAP's staff in Latin America.

MAP International, founded in 1954, is a non-profit, Christian global relief and development agency dedicated to providing medicines, medical supplies and community based health-training programs, including HIV/AIDS prevention, to the poor in over 100 countries. MAP is supported by donations from individuals, foundations and churches. Forbes Magazine has named MAP one of the nation's 100 most prominent charities, with an efficiency rating of 99%. For every $1 donated, MAP provides $15 in donated medicines and medical supplies.

For more information, or to contact MAP International, see their website at: www.map.org