Sant'Egidio sends humanitarian aid to El Salvador, hit by an epidemic of chikungunya

The shipment was made in collaboration with the Customs of Genoa and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

A first container of humanitarian aid, organised by the Community in collaboration with the Customs of Genoa and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has arrived in El Salvador. El Salvador, in recent months, has again been hit by a major outbreak of chikungunya, a viral disease characterised by acute fever and transmitted by the bite of infected mosquitoes. After an incubation period of 3-12 days, they develop flu-like symptoms that include high fever, chills, headache, nausea, vomiting and especially important arthralgia (hence the name chikungunya, which in Swahili means “what curves” or "twists "), such as to limit mobility considerably. Unfortunately, in El Salvador, this virus hit the population in a particularly aggressive form, many elderly people and children were admitted to hospitals and clinics in serious condition.

To help the most at risk and poorest people, this first shipment of aid has been organised and it that has enabled us to get underwear and pyjamas for adults and children, for a market value of about $ 90,000.
In the coming weeks, due to the availability of the Customs Agency, aid will also be  sent to prison infirmaries of El Salvador to better assist the sick inmates.

Donate online