El Salvador: Floods and Landslides - Jun 2024

Heavy rainfall has been affecting El Salvador since 15 June, causing floods, landslides and severe weather-related incidents, that have resulted in casualties and damage. According to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and media reports, as of 17 June, at least 14 fatalities have been reported, including five in Tacuba district in Ahuachapán Department (western El Salvador) due to a landslide, two due to a severe weather-related incident, and four due to flooding. At least 744 people have been displaced in 30 active shelters, another 100 shelters are pre-equipped and available, and 26 homes have been destroyed. A national state of emergency was declared on 16 June. On 19-20 June, more very heavy rainfall is forecasted for the whole country. (ECHO, 19 Jun 2024)

From 14-22 June, intense rains in El Salvador resulted in an unprecedented 800 mm of rainfall, prompting the Directorate General of Civil Protection to issue a national red alert and a state of emergency on 16 June. This alert has since been reduced to green, but the country remains in a state of emergency until 1 July. As of 25 June, the rains have resulted in 19 deaths, damaged 240 homes, flooded a further 256 and left 19 communities without electricity. The Humanitarian Country Team is coordinating with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Salvadoran Agency for International Cooperation (ESCO) to address identified needs and manage the distribution of supplies. (OCHA, 28 Jun 2024)