El Salvador - GFDRR

66 | El Salvador: Damage, Loss, and Needs Assesment
etc., were seriously damaged. Reconstruction prior to the relocation of this unit is a priority in order to
maintain continuity of health care, taking into account the fact that this unit receives 2,700 new cases
and cares for over 130,000 cases per year. It should be noted that, despite damages to health infrastructure,
facilities maintained service continuity and health care was expanded, especially for the population
in shelters.
The cost of reconstructing the La Libertad, San Martín and Verapaz Health Units and the ISRI language
unit include the replacement of equipment, totaling US$5.53 million. 32 These works need to be
carried out in the medium and long terms. As part of incidental expenditures, an estimated US$225,000
is needed for the demolition of units to be relocated.
In addition, to repair one health unit in Usulután and two units and one health clinic in San Salvador,
US$1.08 million are needed and should be invested in the short term.
In addition to infrastructural damages to health facilities, an investment of US$68,000 should be
added to replace the stock of medicines and of twenty-one pieces of fumigation equipment lost in La
Joya Grande, San Vicente and Verapaz during the disaster, which are essential to control vectors in the
affected zones.
b.2) Effects on Public Health
The disaster caused the deaths of 199 people and the disappearance of 76 more, as well as the displacement
of over 18,000 people to 130 temporary shelters, most of which were located in the Departments of La
Paz, San Salvador and San Vicente.
Due to preexisting conditions of social vulnerability, the destruction of houses, inadequate sanitation
and decreased access to safe water because of damages to the systems, there was an increased risk of
outbreaks of diarrhea and acute respiratory illnesses, skin diseases, mental health problems, and vectortransmitted
diseases such as malaria and dengue, which are considered tracer illnesses from the adverse
event.
Between November 8 and 19, the profile of illnesses treated in health units and shelters showed a predominance
of acute respiratory infections 73.7%), dermatosis (10.6%), acute diarrhea (4.3%), followed
by trauma (4.2%) and anxiety (3.7%). With regard to the same period in the previous year, there was a
14% increase in cases of acute respiratory illnesses, an 8% increase in cases of pneumonia 33 and a slight
increase in cases of diarrhea.
However, although cases of dengue did not increase, there is risk of outbreaks of this disease, taking
into consideration environmental conditions, the precarious status of sanitation, and the fact that the
municipalities affected by the disaster historically account for 31% of confirmed cases of types I and II
32
The San Martín unit and the ISRI language and communication unit have been given MSPAS lands for their relocation,
while negotiations are underway to obtain land donations from the municipalities for the La Libertad and Verapaz units.
In this regard, no investment has been considered for the purchase of lands needed for the units’ relocation.
33
Report on health needs to address the emergency caused by the effects of the low-pressure system and Tropical Storm
Ida. MSPAS. November 25, 2009.