Note received Monday 15 January
from the Anglican Church of El Salvador
From the Episcopal Church of El Salvador to our brothers and sisters of the Episcopal Church in the world and to all our friends who are concerned about our situation after the earthquake of 13 January 2001.
The Rt. Rev. Martin Barahona, Diocesan Bishop of the Episcopal Church of El Salvador was at the time of the earthquake attending the IV Assembly of the Latin-American Council of Churches in Barranquilla, Colombia. He is making all kinds of efforts in order to arrive as soon as possible to El Salvador, but due to the demand of flights and because our airport was closed for a couple of days, he has not been able to arrive, and we expect him to do it no later than tomorrow, Tuesday 16th. We want you to know that his family is OK.
This report is the result of an emergency committee raised from the clergy and diocesan personnel.... As of today, our congregations have not reported deaths but only damages of infrastructure, and of course, the psychological damage we all have experienced and the suffering because of so much devastation.
We thank you very much for your support and prayers and for the material assistance you are eager to provide. This committee has found that at this time, the most helpful assistance you can give to us is financial assistance. Your financial assistance will enable us to get locally what is most needed: food, clothes, medicines, so that our congregation may respond to their communities...
Some of you are thinking of sending human assistance. We do not think this is helpful just now, as there are already many volunteers. However, thank you for being ready to help us.
We continue to request your prayers and on behalf of the Episcopal Church of El Salvador and on behalf of the Rt. Rev. Martin Barahona, we appreciate all your concern.
(This note includes information on sending financial support. In addition to sending funds through Cristosal, you may send fund to The Missionary Diocese of El Salvador A/C 107 56637 153, to Citibank, East 53rd Street, NYC NY 10043.)
We will continue to try to make contact with the Diocese, and with other contacts we have in the country, and will keep you posted as to what we know.
It will take several days to assess the needs to which we can respond through the Anglican Church. Cristosal Board Member, Salvador Gómez, of the Salvadoran community in Los Angeles, California, will help us as we seek to provide assistance.
Please pray, and let friends know about this web site.
Bishop Barahona indicated several weeks ago that he would authorize Cristosal to be one of the agencies to which he would encourage people to send financial help in time of crisis. If you wish to help please mark your gifts for El Salvador Earth Quake Relief, using the address printed below.
Thanks for your prayers and support.