‘We definitely have more hurricanes and floods than we used to. I’ve lived here all my life and it wasn’t like this before. Strong winds and big waves from the sea cause more floods now.’
Dominica Echevarría
Jesús Antonio Echevarría, usually known as Chus, is 15 and lives with his sister Dominica and her husband in the San Luis la Herradura area of El Salvador. This area is particularly prone to natural disasters. Hurricanes are a growing threat, and the low-lying land is very susceptible to flooding.
Chus’s father died when he was a baby and he sees his mother only occasionally. He has been brought up by his sister and her husband. The family live in three huts close together. Chus shares a hut with his brother and the family’s livestock. Chus’s hut was battered by Hurricane Stan in 2005, and this has left holes in the roof. The family survives on just a few dollars a day.
Chus likes to get involved with his community in a practical way, and has worked on the local river bank with Christian Aid partner Aprodehni. He has always wanted to do this, although he was initially told he was too young. However, his enthusiasm paid off and he was allowed to work, in return for some food. He is seen in the picture opposite strengthening the river bank with tyres and sandbags. In the aftermath of Hurricane Stan he helped to make up food parcels for other families.
Chus is not the only member of his family to be involved with Aprodehni. His sister and brother-in-law play an active part in analysing what needs to be done in the community, organising working groups, and carrying out practical work on the river bank and drainage channels. Even his seven-year-old cousin, Jackeline, participates in Aprodehni’s workshops, which use sport and art to help children forget the trauma of hurricanes and earthquakes. She has also taken part in rubbish-collecting brigades.
Aprodehni encourages people to get involved in, and take responsibility for, protecting and developing their own communities. Its work includes reducing the risks created by natural disasters, reducing environmental pollution and responding to emergencies. The changing climate is creating a situation that calls for an urgent response. The increased frequency and intensity of hurricanes and subsequent flooding demonstrate the catastrophic effects that climate change is already having on some of the world’s poorest people.
Archbishop Oscar Romero memorably referred to the 80 per cent of El Salvadoreans living in poverty as a ‘crucified people’. Romero worked tirelessly on behalf of poor people, speaking out against injustice and oppression. This brought him into conflict with the government and the military. He was assassinated by the army in 1980.
Chus is just one of these ‘crucified people’. Yet with the help of Aprodehni, he is helping to save lives. Although he is poor, he is helping people to adapt to climate change and to live with the effects of natural disasters.
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A gift of just £6/€9 to Christian Aid would enable Aprodehni to clean a well after a flood. However, your support will be giving so much more than this. You will also be paying for the education and training of the local community – people who can make an immediate difference, particularly young people like Chus. |
