As soon as banks opened Jan. 16, following the Martin Luther King, Jr., holiday, Episcopal Relief and Development sent an emergency grant of $25,000 to the Diocese of El Salvador for earthquake relief. The diocese is part of the Anglican Church in the Province of Central America.

Communication with San Salvador and outlying areas was difficult. Later that morning, Abagail Nelson, director of Latin American programs, reported that she had spoken with the diocesan treasurer, Ana Emilia Gomez, who said that the bishop, the Rt. Rev. Martin de Jesus Barahona, was on his way home from a conference of Latin American bishops in Columbia. Ms. Nelson said he was having difficulty getting a flight into San Salvador.

Everyone "suffered a great deal of damage to their churches and houses in the western part of the country, and the cathedral in particular, San Juan La Evangelista, is structurally compromised.

"The dean of the cathedral, the Very Rev. Luis Serrano, was evacuated from his home as it lies in the area of the mudslide near Santa Tecla. The area continues to suffer aftershocks and the diocesan office experienced a strong one this morning, and one small girl (4 years old) from an Episcopal congregation was killed nearby." The dean and his family are presently staying at the diocesan center, which appears undamaged.

Malaika Kamunanwire of ER&D said personnel were working to discover what was needed in the diocese. "We are also in discussion about what is needed long-term, once other agencies have left."

Ms. Nelson said some rural areas had not been contacted as yet, especially in the southwest where towns were totalled. "And it keeps happening -- the aftershocks are bringing down compromised buildings." She reported that the diocese was forming a Standing Committee for the Emergency, to include the bishop, the dean, and all priests of the diocese.

Contributions labeled "Earthquake Relief" may be sent to: Episcopal Relief and Development, Box 12043, Newark NJ 07101. Credit card donations may be made by calling Episcopal Relief and Development at 800-334-7626 x5129. Information is available on the web at www.er-d.org