VULNERABILIDAD Y ABANDONO EN EL BAJO LEMPA

LEER EN ESPAÑOL

Por: Luis Moreno

Recientemente, a consecuencia del Huracán Julia, El Salvador estuvo en alerta roja. En el Bajo Lempa, las organizaciones comunitarias se activaron, por el riesgo de desbordamiento del río; debido al incremento de su caudal; bordas deterioradas; un sistema de drenaje colapsado; calles en mal estado; comités de protección civil desarticulados y funcionarios de gobierno ausentes de los territorios.

En el pasado, el Bajo Lempa ha sufrido graves inundaciones, las de mayores consecuencias fueron las provocadas por el huracán Mitch, en noviembre de 1998 y la Depresión Tropical 12E, en octubre de 2011; en ambos casos fue por desbordamiento del Río Lempa.

Luego de estos fenómenos, las comunidades organizadas en la Asociación de Comunidades Unidas del Bajo Lempa, ACUDESBAL, presionaron al Estado para que se construyeran obras de protección y de esta forma prevenir futuras inundaciones; fue así como en el años 2012, en la administración del ex presidente Mauricio Funes, se realizó una de las más grandes e importantes inversiones en gestión de riego para las comunidades del Bajo Lempa, la construcción de más de 7 kilómetros de borda y la construcción de dos albergues.

Posteriormente las comunidades solicitaron las respectivas medidas de mantenimiento y protección de la obra construída, por lo que  el gobierno del expresidente Salvador Sánchez Cerén, a través de la Comisión Hidroeléctrica del Río Lempa, CEL, adquirió y asignó una maquinaria exclusivamente para el mantenimiento de la borda, así mismo la CEL realizó trabajos de mantenimiento de calles y limpieza de drenos.

No obstante, la importancia de este trabajo, a su llegada al poder, el presidente Nayid Bukele, sin ningún tipo de consulta a la población, ordenó retirar la maquinaria y trasladarla para la presa El Chaparral, dejando a las comunidades sin este importante recurso para la mitigación de riesgos. Desde entonces no ha existido ningún mantenimiento a las bordas, limpieza de drenes, ni reparación de calles.

Por su parte las comunidades, mantienen una actitud de exigencia al actual gobierno y por diversos medios han expresado la necesidad de:

1. Dar mantenimiento preventivo y correctivo a las bordas para evitar todo tipo de inundación, y de esta forma garantizar que los campesinos y campesinas no pierdan sus cultivos, animales, ni mucho menos su vida.
2. Realizar  trabajos de terracería, limpieza y protección de los drenajes.
3. Construir los 4.5 kilómetros de borda, aún pendiente, para evitar el desbordamiento del río a la altura de la comunidad Mata de Piña.
4. Establecer protocolos más efectivos para el control de las presas hidroeléctricas, por ejemplo: con la tecnología existente se conoce con anticipación la llegada de los fenómenos hidrometeorológicos y por tanto, se podría liberar preventivamente el agua retenida para evitar la necesidad de realizar descargar de emergencia.
5. Diseñar e implementar un plan de rehabilitación de las cuencas hídricas, especialmente la del río Lempa, llevando a cabo proyectos de reforestación, de protección de suelos y de agricultura ecológica, así como programas de educación para generar una cultura de responsabilidad ambiental en la población.

Sobre este último punto es de hacer notar que el Río Lempa, al igual de los demás ríos del país se encuentran azolvados, debido a la erosión de los suelos; al haber perdido su cauce natural, los ríos se desbordan y en consecuencia inundan las comunidades y territorios circundantes. 

Con la ejecución de este tipo de programas y proyectos se recuperaría paulatinamente el cauce natural de los ríos y además, se generaría empleo y turismo. Por ejemplo, el Río Lempa perfectamente puede ser aprovechado como una ruta navegable, para el transporte de personas y mercaderías, lo cual dinamiza la economía y genera desarrollo, esto sería la mejor forma de convertir una amenaza en oportunidad.

Las inundaciones generan perdidas de cultivos, muerte de animales, daños a las viviendas, afectaciones a la salud y en casos extremos pérdidas de vidas humanas; sin embargo, se pueden prevenir, por ejemplo: si en regiones como el Bajo Lempa se finaliza la construcción de las bordas y se les da mantenimiento; se mejora el sistema de drenaje y se reparan las calles de acceso, entre otras medidas.

Llevar a cabo estos proyectos requiere de una considerable inversión de recursos, desde el Estado; no obstante, en la coyuntura actual da la impresión que la prioridad del gobierno, en el uso del dinero de los y las contribuyentes, es el financiamiento de una millonaria campaña de publicidad para mantener una imagen surrealista de la figura del presidente, lo cual no beneficia en nada a la población.

Pero ante la vulnerabilidad y el abandono, las comunidades del Bajo Lempa, deben mantener su organización social, la firmeza de principios revolucionarios, la moral en alto y la determinación de luchar siempre por el derecho a una vida libre de inundaciones. 

VULNERABILITY AND ABANDONMENT IN THE BAJO LEMPA

By: Luis Moreno

Recently, in response to Hurricane Julia, El Salvador was placed on red alert. In the Bajo Lempa, community organizations were activated due to flood risk, which itself was due to increased water flow; deteriorated borders; collapsed drainage system; roads in poor condition; disjointed civil protection committees; and government officials absent in the territories.

In the past, the Lower Lempa region has suffered severe flooding, the most serious impacts were caused by Hurricane Mitch in November 1998 and Tropical Depression 12E in October 2011; in both cases, it was due to the overflowing of the Lempa River.

After these phenomena, the communities representing the Association of United Communities of Bajo Lempa, ACUDESBAL, pressured the State to build flood control structures to prevent future disasters. In 2012, during the administration of ex-President Mauricio Funes, one of the largest and most important investments in irrigation management for the communities of Bajo Lempa took place, the construction of more than 7 kilometers of border and the two flood shelters.

Afterwards, the communities requested the respective maintenance and protection measures for the constructed work. In response, the government of former President Salvador Sánchez Cerén, through the Hydroelectric Commission of the Lempa River, CEL, acquired and assigned machinery exclusively for the maintenance of the dam, as well as the maintenance work on the streets and cleaning of drains. 

Despite the importance of this work, when President Nayib Bukele came to power, without consulting the population, he ordered the removal of the machinery and its transfer to the El Chaparral dam, leaving the communities deprived of this important risk mitigation resource. Since then, there has been no drain maintenance, cleaning of drains, or street repairs.

The communities, for their part, maintain a demanding stance with the current government and through various means have expressed the need for:

1. Provide preventive and corrective maintenance to the ditches to avoid any type of flooding, and in this way guarantee that the farmers do not lose their crops, animals, and much less their lives.
2. Provide preventive and corrective maintenance to the irrigation ditches to avoid any type of flooding, thus guaranteeing that the farmers do not lose their crops, animals, and much less their lives.
3. Carry out excavation, cleaning and protection of the drains.
4. Build the 4.5 kilometers of an embankment, still pending, to prevent the river from overflowing in the community of Mata de Piña.
5. Establish more effective protocols for controlling the hydroelectric dams, for example: with existing technology, the arrival of hydrometeorological phenomena is known in advance and, therefore, the retained water could be released preventively to avoid the need for emergency discharges.
6. Design and implement a watershed rehabilitation plan, especially for the River Lempa, carrying out reforestation, soil protection and ecological agriculture projects, as well as education programs to generate a culture of environmental responsibility among the population.

On this last point, it should be noted that the Lempa River, like other rivers in the country, is silted up due to soil erosion; having lost its natural course, the rivers overflow and consequently flood the surrounding communities and territories. 

With the implementation of these types of programs and projects, the natural course of the rivers would gradually recover and employment and tourism would be generated. For example, the Lempa River could perfectly be used as a navigable route for the transportation of people and goods, which stimulates the economy and generates development; this would be the best way to turn a threat into an opportunity.

Floods cause loss of crops, livestock deaths, damage to housing, damage to health and, in extreme cases, loss of human life; however, they can be prevented. For example, if in regions such as Bajo Lempa the construction of dams is completed and they are maintained; the drainage system is improved and access roads are repaired, among other things.

The realization of these projects requires a considerable investment of State resources; however, in the current situation, it seems that the government’s priority, in the use of taxpayers’ money, is the financing of a millionaire advertising campaign to maintain a surrealistic image of the president, which in no way benefits the population.

But in the face of vulnerability and abandonment, the communities of Bajo Lempa must maintain their social organization, the firmness of revolutionary principles, the moral high ground and the determination to always fight for the right to a life free of floods. 

Community Octavio Ortiz Will Soon Inaugurate their Casa Comunal

In 2012, the Octavio Ortíz community decided to rebuild their casa comunal.
The new infrastructure is more spacious and has a higher foundation, which is fundamental considering that in the past the communities in this part of ​​the country have suffered greatly from floods caused by the overflow of the Lempa River. This building will serve as a shelter for natural disasters and emergency situations.

The beginning wasn’t easy.
Elmer Portillo, who at that time was serving as the President of the community, recently commented on the committed effort put into the the project, “When we began the construction of the new communal house, we didn’t have enough money, nor secured support from NGOs or institutions, we only had the will and the ability to work.”

Despite these limitations, this is the result. A spacious modern structure with impressive architecture.

The community contributed 100% of the labor and also some of the economic resources to purchase materials such as concrete blocks, cement and zinc sheets. Various other sources, among them VOICES, have supported the project with small donations over the years. VOICES made a final donation of $4,750 for the installation of the floor, which will conclude the project in the next few months.

VOICES ON THE BORDER congratulates the community, especially its board of directors for all their determination and hard work.

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Hurricane Michael Affects El Salvador

Imagen por Noticias Menotty

Since last Saturday, El Salvador has been influenced by tropical storm Michael. The storm has caused heavy rains, mainly in the coastal area and northern Morazán, a situation that has led the Civil Protection authorities to issue a Yellow Alert in 31 municipalities in the east of the country and a Green Alert nationwide.

The authorities have reported three people killed, 10 injured, as well as 5 clogged roads, numerous trees knocked down by strong winds, overflowing rivers, landslides, flooded homes and more than 500 people displaced, mainly in the municipality of San Miguel.

Regarding the situation in El Bajo Lempa, considered one of the most vulnerable regions of the country, at the moment the only damage reported is a tree falling in community Octavio Ortiz that caused minor damage to the perimeter fence of the soccer field; nevertheless, the communities have been activated and remain vigilant of the rise and flow of the Lempa River, which is already presenting worrying levels.

Storm Michael has already become a hurricane and it is forecasted that rainstorms will continue intermittently throughout the country, with greater emphasis on the coastal strip, central and western areas. In addition, gusts of wind are expected between 40 and 50 kilometers per hour, especially on the coast.

Among the measures adopted by the government is the activation of the entire civil protection system, at the national level, as well as the suspension of classes for the next 48 hours in all educational centers, both public and private.

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Huracán Michael Afecta a El Salvador

Desde el pasado sábado, El Salvador ha sido influenciado por la tormenta tropical Michael, que ha provocado fuertes lluvias, principalmente en la zona costera y el norte de Morazán. Situación que llevó a las autoridades de Protección Civil a decretar Alerta Amarilla en 31 municipios del oriente del país y Alerta Verde a nivel nacional.

Entre las afectaciones ocurridas, las autoridades informan de tres personas fallecidas, 10 lesionadas, así mismo de 5 carreteras obstruidas, numerosos árboles derribados por los fuertes vientos, ríos desbordados, deslizamientos de tierra, viviendas inundadas y más de 500 personas albergadas, principalmente en el municipio de San Miguel.

Con respecto a la situación en El Bajo Lempa, considerada una de las regiones más vulnerables del país, por el momento el único daño reportado es la caída de un árbol en la comunidad Octavio Ortiz que ocasionó daños menores a la cerca perimetral del campo de fútbol; no obstante, las comunidades se han activado y se mantienen vigilantes del incremento del caudal del Río Lempa, el cual ya presenta niveles preocupantes.

La tormenta Michael ya se ha convertido en huracán y se pronostica que las lluvias de temporal sigan de forma intermitente en todo el país, con mayor énfasis en la franja costera, zona centro y occidente. Además, se esperan ráfagas de viento entre los 40 y 50 kilómetros por hora, sobre todo en la franja costera.

Entre las medidas adoptadas por el gobierno está la activación de todo el sistema de protección civil, a nivel nacional, así como la suspensión de clases por las próximas 48 horas en todos los centros educativos, tanto públicos como privados.

TWEETS: Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (MARN)

Marvin and Hiedi Video

Those of you who have been on a Voices on the Border Delegation to El Salvador in recent years have likely gotten to know our dear friends Marvin and Heidi. They live in Nueva Esperanza, which was underwater last week during the historic rains and floods.

During one of our flood updates we mentioned that Marvin and Heidi had been trapped Nueva Esperanza with 55 other people when flood waters were at their highest. Sunday October 16th, they were forced to spend the night in the bell tower of the church after currents got to strong for the boats to evacuate more people. They were rescued the next afternoon after the rains slowed and the water began to recede.

Yesterday we found a video of their evacuation in which they share their experience as they are boating down the main road out of town.

We also want to thank all of you who donated to the fundraising effort. Your support allowed us to provide material support for those who were forced to their homes and lived in emergency shelters for a week or more. We are continuing to raise money to engage in two post-flood activities 1) providing farmers with support so they can replant their fields and get back on their feet as fast as possible; and 2) supporting local advocacy campaigns for appropriate rebuilding of the levees and drainage system in the Lower Lempa.

 

Climate Change Blamed for Historic Flooding in El Salvador

Communities Organize Disaster Response & Demand More Government Collaboration

JIQUILISCO, El Salvador – As thousands of Salvadorans return to their homes and begin to rebuild their lives after last week’s historic rain and floods, many officials and civil society organizations in the region are blaming climate change for the catastrophe and calling upon the government to respond appropriately.

Don Lencho with some of his cattle in Zamorano

Last week, Tropical Depression 12-E and weather from Hurricane Jova poured more than 55 inches of rain over a seven-day period on Central America, far eclipsing Hurricane Mitch in 1998, the storm by which all others had been compared.

Though last week’s rain and flooding were more severe, local and national preparedness has improved dramatically since 1998, limiting the number of deaths in El Salvador to 34, compared to the 289 lives claimed by Hurricane Mitch.

Officials throughout Central American have attributed the extreme rain totals to climate change. Raul Artiga of the Central American Commission on Environment and Development (CCAD) stated, “Climate change is not something that is coming in the future, we are already suffering its effects.”

Herman Rosa Chávez, El Salvador’s Minister of the Environment, elaborated that the frequency of extreme rainfall events, defined by more than 100 millimeters (4 inches) in 24 hours, or 350 millimeters (14 inches) in 72 hours, in El Salvador has increased continually since the 1960s. Chávez said that until the 1980s, El Salvador “had never been affected by a Hurricane in the Pacific.” Since then, several of the worst weather disasters have resulted from Pacific weather patterns, including Hurricane Paul in 1982, Hurricane Mitch in 1998, and now Tropical Depression 12-E.

According to a recent reportreport by The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), climate change is expected to take a greater toll on the region in the future. “Studies agree on the upward tendency of costs,” says the report, “whether defined as damage to well-being or as a proportion of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).”

According to Roberto Valent, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in El Salvador, damages from last week’s extreme rain may reach more than US$1 billion.

The Lower Lempa region of San Vicente and Usulután has been one of the hardest hit in El Salvador. The region is supposed to be protected by earthen levees that line the banks of the Lempa River, the largest in the country. The levees, however, burst when an upstream dam released 9,500 cubic meters of water per second, for more than 12 hours – three times the flow the levees were built to withstand.

While community leaders in the Lower Lempa agree that climate change is responsible for the extreme rainfall, they have long argued that the Hydroelectric Executive Commission of the Lempa River (CEL, for its name in Spanish) mismanaged the dam and corresponding reservoir, prioritizing the generation of electricity over mitigating the risk of flooding downstream. In February 2011, Rigoberto Herrera Cruz, the Deputy Mayor of Jiquilisco, stated that

“We believe the CEL [Lempa River Hydro-electric Commission] who runs the dam do massive water releases because to allow the water out little by little means they would earn slightly less profit,”

On October 20^th, El Salvador’s President Mauricio Funes met with leaders in the Lower Lempa and promised support for reconstructing communities and local agriculture. Jiquilisco Mayor David Barahona stressed that the Central Government must also reconstruct the levees and restore the drainage system that helps channel floodwaters out of the region. Local development organizations have joined in this call, adding that the CEL must also manage its hydroelectric dams in a manner that prioritizes the safety of the communities downstream over their desire to maximize electricity production.

Minister Chávez added to the reconstruction conversation, “we cannot rebuild in the same vulnerable way. If we do not take the [changing weather] phenomena into account, we will be throwing that investment away.”

The undersigned group of international organizations works in partnership and solidarity with various organizations, government officials, and community boards in the Lower Lempa. We echo the concerns and demands expressed by our local partners and Minister Chávez, and will support them in the days, weeks, and months ahead as they advocate for their communities.

Signed:

EcoViva – http://eco-viva.org/  (Contact: Nathan Weller, nathan@eco-viva.org)

Voices on the Border – http://votb.org/ (Contact: Rosie Ramsey, rosie@votb.org)

The Share Foundation – http://www.share-elsalvador.org/ (Contact: José Artiga, jose@share-elsalvador.org)

U.S. Sister Cities – http://elsalvadorsolidarity.org (Contact: sistercities.elsalvador@gmail.com)

Flood Update – Photos from Salinas del Potrero and Nueva Esperanza

Over the weekend Voices staff was able to visit Salinas del Potrero and Nueva Esperanza in the Lower Lempa with our friends from Cristosal. Our initial reports from Salinas were that the flooding cut off the community from the rest of the region but that the damage was minimal. Our visit tells a different story. Many in Salinas continue to live in the community shelter, standing water still obstructs the road going into the community, and many of the community’s fisheries have been flooded out and damaged.

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Our staff also visited other communities in the region – Ciudad Romero, Nueva Esperanza, and others and the news is not all bad. The majority of the people who have been living in the emergency shelters have returned home and are starting the arduous task of cleaning up. Electricity and water has been restored in most communities, and people seem to be in fairly good spirits considering the circumstances.

Jessie, voices field volunteer, and 35 youth from OSCA, a youth group in Morazan, traveled to Nueva Esperanza to help locals with the clean up. Read her report with photos here.

 

 

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Later today we will provide a more thorough update on the survey of the damage.

Thanks to all who have contributed to the recover effort! Though this has been one of the worst disasters in modern Salvadoran history, everyone has worked together to minimize the impact on our local partners. We have a lot of work to do, but the response has been inspiring.

Photos from Flooded Nueva Esperanza

We were able to visit the community of Nueva Esperanza briefly this afternoon and snapped some photos of the damage.

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The water levels were very high and most everything is covered in mud. The cleanup will be a major undertaking and community members are still in the evacuation shelters.

We are still fundraising for the relief effort, which will be a long term effort. If you haven’t contributed yet, its not too late – please click on the Donate Now button to to the right of this post.