Mudslides, floods in Central America affect work of Maryknoll sisters

Published: 2005-10-13

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- When massive flooding and mudslides hit Central America following Hurricane Stan, the staff of a Catholic AIDS clinic in San Salvador pitched in to help with emergency relief. U.S. Maryknoll Sister Mary Annel, a medical doctor, and Maryknoll lay missionary Deborah Northern, both associated with the clinic, helped deliver food to communities outside San Salvador. "The government's emergency system didn't reach all the people needing help, and many went to the churches, where they have more confidence that any goods donated will be given directly to them," Sister Annel said in an Oct. 11 e-mail. In a separate e-mail the same day, Northern said the area near Lake Ilopango, outside San Salvador, was particularly hart hit by the rains and mudslides. Apuyo, a community beside the lake, "is completely buried by dirt," she said.

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