The Church continues to provide relief assistance and to assess member needs in areas harmed by natural disasters. On October 8, as Hurricane Stan caused flooding and mudslides in Mexico, Guatemala, and El Salvador, a 7.6 magnitude earthquake resulted in widespread damage in Pakistan, northern India, and Afghanistan.

Hurricane Stan

Hurricane Stan was an Atlantic tropical storm that evolved into a category-1 hurricane coming ashore near Veracruz, Mexico, on Saturday, October 8. Many areas received over 25 inches of rain. In addition to flooding and landslides, Guatemala and El Salvador have experienced volcanic and earthquake activity. Many roads and bridges have been washed out, making it difficult to reach smaller communities. Continuing rainfall in the region is hampering relief efforts.

• Church meetinghouses in Guatemala and El Salvador are being used as emergency shelters for about 2,000 individuals.
• With the assistance of Guatemala Aero Club, a small airplane club, food has been airlifted to many isolated communities that include Church meetinghouses being used as shelters.
• Members in Mexico assembled 6,000 food boxes that have been delivered to those in need in southern Mexico.
• Local Church members are providing volunteer labor.
• 150,000 pounds of food was air freighted by the Church to Guatemala City on Wednesday, October 12, 2005.

South Asia Earthquake

On October 8, a 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck the region bordering Pakistan, northern India, and Afghanistan. It is now estimated to have killed between 20,000 and 30,000 people, injured an additional 42,000, and left as many as 4 million homeless. Nearly 40 percent of the affected areas are inaccessible due to landslides. Relief efforts have been hampered by rain and hail.

• Representatives of the Church have met with Pakistani officials to determine needs and coordinate response efforts.
• The Church has collaborated with Islamic Relief Worldwide, a Muslim humanitarian organization, to ship 180,000 pounds of relief supplies (blankets, medical items, first aid kits, coats, tents, hygiene kits) by air and an additional twenty 40-foot containers by boat. The air shipment is scheduled for October 17, 2005.

Additional information will be posted as relief efforts continue.