And help the effort to recover from Hurricane Mitch. El Salvador suffered substantial losses, both in lives and property. The country is well along in the process of rebuilding its homes, infrastructure and the economy. My colleagues and I hope to be able to assess the situation more fully while we are here, and to develop assistance programs responsive to your needs. I can speak in general about our findings in the region, however.
Hurricane season starts again in two months, and with it the potential for another disaster.
They came up with a number of recommendations. Managers should be better trained, for instance. Equipment and planning for evacuation should be upgraded. Prevention and mitigation efforts should be supported at the highest level. And all sectors of the population should be encouraged to cooperate so closely and constantly in preparation for disasters that preparedness becomes a way of life.