After 20 years, Salvadorans remember slain martyrs

This article was posted by Dan Nemes on the National Catholic Reporter, it's about the recent 20th Anniversary of the Jesuit killings in El Salvador.

San Salvador, El Salvador
Salvadorans from every segment of society gathered here Nov. 14- 16 to commemorate the 1989 murders of six Jesuits, and their housekeeper and her daughter.

Many used local events to reflect on El Salvador's progress since the end of the country's civil war in 1992.

It was 20 years ago that a Salvadoran military unit broke into the grounds of Central American University, brutally killing Jesuits Ignacio Ellacuría, Ignacio Martín Baró, Segundo Montes, Joaquín López y López, Amando López and Juan Ramón Moreno, as well as their housekeeper, Elba Ramos, and her daughter, Celina.

At the entrance to the university, only a short walk from the courtyard where the priests and the women were executed and where they are buried in the university's chapel, students collected supplies to contribute to disaster relief efforts after heavy rains Nov. 8 that led to mudslides, killing 160 people and leaving more than 12,000 homeless.

Carrying out the university commitment to social justice, several noted, is one way students could remember the Jesuits. “This is what they stood for, helping the poor,” one said.

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Photos of destruction in Aguilares

Update on El Salvador

Dear Friends of El Salvador,

Please receive our greetings!

You may have been reading our eNewsletter updates on the situation in El Salvador following the destruction wrecked by Hurricane Ida. As you might recall from those communications, SHARE is partnering with counterparts in three regions of the country that experienced significant destruction from the flood waters. Just yesterday, I approved three initial projects, worth approximately $17,000 that will provide mattresses, blankets, and basic food items (beans, rice, oil, flour, and drinking water) to an estimated 600 families (or approximately 2700 individuals) in three municipalities.

Clearly, this is an important beginning, but it is only a beginning. The numbers of people affected by Ida continue to rise as the reports from the National Civil Protection System are updated each day. As of yesterday, nearly 15,000 people were reported in temporary shelter settings. It is important to note here that this number does not even begin to take into consideration those who set up rudimentary structures near their homes in order to protect what may have been left behind by the storm and to begin the reconstruction/restoration process.

Our partners are prioritizing women and families in the communities that are not receiving assistance from other entities. We anticipate the need to extend our support and solidarity to these communities and others will grow over the coming weeks. In order for this to be possible, we continue to rely on the support that comes from individuals like you who have a strong connection with El Salvador.

(Photo by Laura Hershberger, SHARE-El Salvador of a makeshift shelter where two boys from La Florida live with their family adjacent to where the home once was)

During this season of expressing our gratitude, we can extend our thanks to those who have touched our hearts and spirits during our visits, and who now need us to offer our support in a concrete way. Please consider making a secure online gift via our website DONATE HERE or by sending a check to

Share Foundation - Building a New El Salvador Today

P.O. Box 209620

Washington, DC 20017

With gratitude for your companionship as we continue reaching out to those in great need,

José

José Artiga

Executive Director

Emergency Relief Needed in El Salvador in the Wake of Hurricane Ida

While the National Hurricane Center in the United States has downgraded Hurricane Ida to a Tropical Storm, El Salvador has experienced the full brunt of hurricane force winds and rain. Over the weekend, the storm destroyed more than 7,000 homes and damaged many more. The most recent data, reported this morning in the Prensa Gráfica, indicates that approximately 130 people have been killed by the storm, and thousands more injured. This total is sure to rise as emergency relief workers continue to work their way through damaged buildings and areas that have experienced landslides.

The community of Verapaz in the department of San Vicente was left badly damaged by mud, rocks and derby after a mudslide from the San Vicente Volcano. Because the heavy rains rapidly made the land on the foothills of the volcano quite unstable, water quickly engulfed much of the town and many people did not have time to prepare or escape.

As is often the case in these sorts of situations, the most immediate problems include access to emergency shelter, access to potable water, and food. SHARE Foundation, in collaboration with its partners in the three departments of San Salvador, La Paz and San Vicente, will be working to provide emergency relief. This will include distribution of plastic sheeting and wood for temporary housing; food and water.

We ask that you lend your support to this effort by making a contribution for emergency relief in response to Hurricane Ida. You can do this by way of a secure online donation via our website or by mailing a check to:

SHARE Foundation

P.O. Box 29620

Washington, DC 20017 (please write Hurricane Ida relief in the memo line)

Other ways you can help:

-Organize fundraising efforts within your local churches and other community groups.

-Pray for the victims of Hurricane Ida and their family members affected by this weekend’s tragedy

Please do not hesitate to call our office at 202.319.5540 or send an email to jose@share-elsalvador.org if you have any questions.

As always, thank you for your continued solidarity and partnerships. We cannot do this without you.

Reflections on Romero

Here women from Chalatenango reflect on what Oscar Romero meant to them as part of SHARE's invitation to participate in the Romero delegation.

Click here to watch video.