| Contact: | Sunny Mindel/Curt Ritter | (212) 788-2958 |
Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today announced the City's relief efforts for earthquake victims in El Salvador and called on New Yorkers to make financial contributions to assist these relief efforts. Since Saturday's devastating earthquake, 687 people have died, more than 2,500 people have been injured, and nearly 45,000 have been evacuated.
The Mayor also announced that the City's Health and Hospitals Corporation would provide much-needed medical supplies, while personnel from the City's Department of Transportation, the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) and the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) would provide logistical support.
"New Yorkers have a history of providing aid and comfort to those affected by natural disasters wherever and whenever they occur," said Mayor Giuliani. "New Yorkers are inherently compassionate and I believe they will support the relief efforts we are announcing today, as they always help people in need. I urge each and every New Yorker to make a financial contribution to support these relief efforts and I want to thank Ninfa Segarra and those assembled here today for their help in coordinating this much-needed effort after this devastating earthquake."
City University of New York (CUNY) Vice President Ninfa Segarra, who will coordinate the earthquake relief efforts in conjunction with the office of Deputy Mayor Rudy Washington, said, "We will open our doors and hearts to embrace our brothers and sisters in El Salvador, and we will reach out with the help that is urgently needed."
The Mayor also urged the Immigration and Naturalization Service to grant special advance parole for Salvadorans due to this state of emergency, and stressed the importance of expediting these requests, as was previously done during the City's Hurricane Mitch relief efforts.
Individuals who wish to make a monetary contribution can go to any Banco Popular branch throughout the City and contribute to the account number that has been created by the Hispanic Federation -- 0909000052857. New Yorkers can also mail their donations to the Hispanic Federation at 84 William Street, 15th floor, New York, NY 10038 or call the Federation at 212-732-HELP for additional information.
The Mayor was joined in his appeal by CUNY Vice President and former Deputy Mayor Ninfa Segarra, El Salvador Ambassador to the United Nations Jose Roberto Andino Salavar, Republic of El Salvador Consul General Patricia Maza-Pitsford, Hispanic Federation President Lorraine Cortes Vasquez, CUNY Board of Trustees Chairman Herman Badillo, Health and Hospitals Corporation President Luis R. Marcos, NYCHA Chairman John G. Martinez and representatives from the Metro Stars and the American Jewish Committee.