Families evacuated as deforestation causes landslides

52 families from the El Coyolar community in El Salvador, which is in danger of being destroyed by landslides, will be helped by Plan as they are evacuated to safety.

A series of deep cracks in the mountain above the village have been steadily worsening over the past year. Caused by heavy rains, the effects are worsened by widespread deforestation of the hillsides.

Rosa Orellana, an inhabitant of El Coyolar and a member of the community commission of civil protection, said, “Sometimes there are rock and tree slides. Because of these things, the population is alarmed and frightened that at any moment a disaster could happen.”

Plan, in conjunction with the community and municipal emergency committees and the inhabitants of El Coyolar, assessed the risks and recommended that the whole community should be temporarily moved to a safe area.

222 people, including 67 children of school age, currently live in the village, and 13 families have already left their homes and moved to tents near the community church. However, most are understandably reluctant to leave their homes and belongings and many of the men remain behind in the danger zone.

Plan’s project will initially support the community’s immediate needs for emergency accommodation, food, medicines, sanitation, educational facilities, and an early alert system. Temporary homes, latrines, kitchens and a school will be built.

The second phase of the project will then focus on rehabilitation of the village through the building of new permanent homes and a school, provision of communication networks, and research and community training to reduce the risks of future disasters.

Plan will also provide an educator to work directly with the families to provide training on basic hygiene and risk reduction, as well as providing psychological support for those affected.