Norway has decided to allocate NOK 3 million in emergency relief to those affected by Hurricane Stan and the ensuing flooding in Central America, particularly in El Salvador and Guatemala.The relief will be channelled through Save the Children, the Norwegian Red Cross, Norwegian People’s Aid and the UN.

Hurricane Stan has swept through large parts of Central America. So far there are reports of about 170 dead in El Salvador and Guatemala, which are the countries that have been hardest hit. There the hurricane and the ensuing heavy rains caused flooding and many landslides.

Roads and other infrastructure are destroyed, and large-scale relief operations have been launched. In El Salvador more than 50 000 people have been forced to evacuate their homes. In Guatemala there are reports that 3 500 homes have been destroyed and that 38 000 people are directly affected. There is a great need for assistance, among other things to help with the evacuation effort. The water level in many rivers is dangerously high, and additional damage is feared.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is following the situation in the affected areas, and has regular contact with the UN system and the humanitarian organisations.