28 October 2011: The UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UN/ISDR) has announced that the UN has launched two flash appeals to provide emergency assistance to the Central American countries of Nicaragua and El Salvador. Both countries are facing the highest rainfall in 50 years, due to Tropical Depression 12-E.

The UN has issues a flash appeal for US$15.7 million to provide emergency assistance to El Salvador, where an estimated 300,000 people have been affected, and US$14.3 million to assist Nicaragua, where over 130,000 people have been affected.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon voiced concern at the number of lives affected and damage caused by the recent floods, underlining that they highlight the effect of climate change on Central American countries. Ban commended ongoing disaster management efforts, and expressed hope that the international community would respond strongly to appeals for emergency and reconstruction assistance. [UN Press Release] [UN/ISDR El Salvador Press Release] [UN/ISDR Nicaragua Press Release]