Emergency relief is the first phase of the earthquake response.
MCC's long term response will likely include housing reconstruction over the next year. Although a final proposal is not yet ready, MCC is hoping to raise enough money to build 200 - 300 houses. The people of El Salvador were on the front lines of the relief effort, reports Tanya Chute, a Canadian MCC worker in the country. In the rural community of La Ceiba, church and municipal government are joining forces to collect food and clothing for earthquake survivors. The La Ceiba mayor established communication with a needy municipality and launched the campaign, while a church-based committee coordinated the collection efforts.