Three natural disasters prompt Baptist aid in Central America

RICHMOND, Va. (BP) — The International Mission Board is responding to three natural disasters – a hurricane, volcanic eruption and earthquake – that delivered blows within a matter of days to the people of Guatemala, El Salvador and surrounding areas in Central America.

The IMB has shipped 2,000 blankets to missionaries in Guatemala for distribution and is working to send water purification systems into the devastated areas.

Mobilizing Southern Baptist relief work in El Salvador, IMB missionaries have delivered hundreds of pounds of rice, beans, corn flour, sugar, coffee, salt and oil. They also have given out toothpaste, toothbrushes, toilet paper, soap and mattresses.

More than 700 people died, including 600 in Guatemala, as a result of landslides brought on by heavy rains from Hurricane Stan. The hurricane made landfall Oct. 4 and caused flooding in both countries. Six hundred people may still be missing in Guatemala. Several Mayan communities have been destroyed.