MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Falkland Islands help save children in El Salvador.
Falkland Islands Government has donated £5,000 towards Save the Children (UK) programme ?Providing Clean Water in El Salvador', following the earthquakes of January and February 2001 which affected approximately a quarter of the population, caused over 1,000 deaths and damaged or destroyed hospitals, health facilities, schools and many thousands of homes.
The funds will pay for much needed water containers as well as contribute towards other aspects of the project such as water purification materials.
Save the Children's programme aims to meet the immediate needs of families affected by the earthquakes and protect public health through the provision of primary health care, health education and activities designed to prevent the spread of water-borne diseases.
Activities also include the distribution of essential household items, nutritional support to children under five and pregnant or lactating women and a ?psychosocial' programme of recreational/ education activities for children unable to attend school. Much of the work is being carried out through Salvadorean organisations with which Save the Children has established partnerships.
Comments Steve Lewis, Programme Officer for Central America, Save the Children: "We are delighted that the government of the Falkland Islands is able to make such a generous donation. Two thousand, three hundred and sixty five people will benefit as a direct result of this support, improving the quality of their live so that they can view the future with renewed hope."
Comments a spokesperson from Falkland Islands Government: "What happened in El Salvador shocked our community. We are delighted to be able to support such a well established charity as Save the Children in its good works and contribute, even in a small way, to helping those affected rebuild their lives."
A total of 35,000 people in the five worst-affected areas of Usulutan, Acauchapán, Sonsonate, Cuscatlán and La Paz will benefit directly from Save the Children's programme. The wider population will benefit from the charity's dissemination of health education messages.
Sam A.Bailey - FIGO, London
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