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UN relief operation in El Salvador short of resources

UN relief operation in El Salvador short of resources

A relief operation to feed earthquake victims in El Salvador is in serious danger of falling short of resources, the lead United Nations food agency announced today.

The operation has received just $3 million of the $10 million required to feed the worst-hit quake victims over the next six months, UN World Food Programme (WFP) officials reported. The shortfall has forced WFP's operation in El Salvador to halve the size of monthly rations for most of those being assisted.

Further exacerbating the situation, the officials note, the rainy season in El Salvador, which starts in May, is likely to trigger off damaging mud slides. Lack of shelter is also a major problem.

Some 1.5 million people -- one quarter of El Salvador's population -- were affected by earthquakes that rocked the country in January and February. WFP's emergency operation has targeted 200,000 of the victims in greatest need of food aid.