Disaster Relief Requests

Hello all,

Recently many people have been asking about the needs of the ILFE, in response to the flooding in Chinandega. This is the summary of disaster assistance needs, drafted by ILFE and the regional representative of the ELCA. I will update this blog if changes in needs occur, but for now this is the most up to date information. Let me know if you have any questions and I'll get back to you as soon as I can. Que les vaya bien.


DISASTER ASSISTANCE NEEDS OF ILFE COMMUNITIES
IN WESTERN NICARAGUA


Where Disaster Assistance Is Needed

Currently, ILFE has a pastoral presence in fourteen (14) different rural communities in Chinandega, the department which was severely affected by nearly two weeks of constant downpours (Oct. 10 - 21). Rainfall amounts were nearly three times greater than the seasonal averages for western Nicaragua.

- Three of the 14 ILFE communities are located in the municipality of Villanueva (Aquespalapa, El Jicote and El Bonete), an area that was particularly hard-hit. Heavy rains not only destroyed crops, but also caused two major river systems to overflow. Widespread flooding damaged homes and drowned cattle and other farm animals. ILFE has given special priority to these communities in a disaster assistance appeal to ACT International (Action by Churches Together) with reasonable prospects for funding from churches, ecumenical and humanitarian agencies in Europe and the United States (including ELCA).

- However, the remaining 11 communities accompanied by ILFE are not included in the ACT appeal. Homes in these communities did not suffer significant flood damage, but crop losses were near-total. Those communities are: La Flor, Los Balcones, Los Limones, El Caimito, El Rodeito, Enmanuel, and Sagrada Familia (in the municipality of Somotillo); and Corinto, Estambul, Grecia I, and Las Veinte (on the western outskirts of Chinandega city). ILFE is requesting support from its network of ELCA companion synods and sister congregations for the 350 families living in these communities.

Nature of Assistance Needed

The 350 families living in these 11 communities are facing severe food shortages and potential famine conditions (a looming prospect for all of western Nicaragua). The rains hit just prior to the November harvest. Severe crop losses carry a double impact for peasant farmers and their families: they neither have food to eat nor seeds for the next planting season. Consequently, two principal forms of assistance will be needed:

- Food Assistance: ILFE projects the need to provide basic food packets to 350 families for a period of up to six months. The current cost of each food packet is $35 and includes the following: corn (20 lb.), rice (10 lb.), beans (10 lb.), sugar (5 lb.), cereal mix (2 lb.), coffee (2 lb.), cooking oil (1 liter bottle) and laundry soap (pkg. of 3 balls). These basic provisions will feed an average family for 2 weeks. Absent major improvements in the food security situation, affected families will need up to 12 food packets over the next 6 months (2x per month for 6 months).

- Seeds for Replanting: In order for peasant farmers to replant next May (just prior to the onset of the 2008 rainy season), they will need seeds since the recent rains not only destroyed their year-end harvest but also their traditional source of seeds. ILFE proposes to provide each farm family with a one-time donation of seeds that will enable them to plant both basic grains (corn, sorghum & beans) as well as vegetables and fruits (squash, bananas/plantains, fruit trees, cucumbers, string beans, watermelon, green peppers, hot peppers and tomatoes). The projected cost of an agricultural recovery kit containing the appropriate quantity of these seed varieties is $55.


How Concerned Individuals and Congregations Can Help

Food Assistance: One-time donations/monthly pledges of

$ 35 Two-week supply of staple foods for a family
$ 70 Month’s supply of staple foods for a family
$ 420 Six-month supply of staple foods for a family


Replanting Assistance: One-time donations to purchase seeds:

$ 55 Seed varieties so that a peasant farmer can replant in the spring of 2008

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If you are not part of a congregation that is planning to send donations through another route, donations can be made directly to relief efforts in Nicaragua through the ELCA website, under "Disaster Response" link. The following information is taken from this webpage. http://www.elca.org/disaster/article.asp?id=78&mode=3

BY MAIL
Make your check or money order out to:
ELCA Disaster Response
P.O. Box 71764
Chicago, Illinois 60694-1764

To designate your giving to this disaster, write "Nicaragua - Hurricane Felix and floods" on your check's memo line.

BY PHONE
(with a major credit card)
800.638.3522

To designate your giving to this disaster, mention "Nicaragua - Hurricane Felix and floods" when you call.

ON THE WEB
(with a major credit card over a secure connection): by following this link: https://www.elca.org/scriptlib/DS/giving/featuredgiving.asp?pageid=2