COVID-19: Storms batter El Salvador, worsen food insecurities

Rapid aid assists local church’s immediate response 

(LWI) - Two tropical storms in El Salvador last month further exacerbated food insecurities experienced by residents due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. 

In response, the Salvadoran Lutheran Church (ILS) designated its Lutheran Center Concordia in the City of San Salvador as a collection center for food distribution and provided basic supplies to 700 more families already economically disadvantaged because of COVID-19.  

Bishop Medardo E. Gómez Soto said that the church’s diaconal work is “ethically and morally responsible” when it adheres to government mandates in the fight against the spread of the virus. The bishop also noted that "the response was immediate" from agencies and churches with generous donations of food packages and financial support.  

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Mission Eine Welt of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavarian (Germany) and local partners contributed to the storm emergency relief efforts.  

Recent statistics show over 8,000 COVID-19 infections and 243 deaths with a daily infection rate of 100 people in El Salvador. Adding to the threat of COVID-19 infection, relief sources estimate that nearly 300,000 people will be left without a means to food and a loss of employment following the storms.  

The Salvadoran Lutheran Church has been a member of the LWF since 1986 and has 20,000 members nationwide.

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