COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. (ANS) — Mudslides and severe flooding in the destructive wake of Hurricane Ida continue to devastate churches and homes in El Salvador.

According to a news release, Compassion International has committed $20,000 in immediate relief to aid victims of this disaster. Compassion staff are currently traveling to the affected areas to assess the damage, and determine what additional funds are needed to help those in need.

The news release stated that 21 of Compassion’s child development centers have currently been affected in the region surrounding San Salvador, Cuscatlán and San Vicente in the central part of the country.

Compassion staff and the organization’s church partners are trying to ensure the safety of Compassion-sponsored children, determine the extent of damage to their homes and provide immediate relief.

“My heart and the heart of Compassion go out to the people of El Salvador during this tragic time of loss,” said Mark Hanlon, senior vice president of Compassion International, USA, speaking in a news release.

He added, “My prayers are with the children and families we serve there, as well as Compassion’s El Salvador staff who are working tirelessly to bring much-needed food and supplies to those who need it.”

Compassion began its work in El Salvador in 1977, and today serves more than 35,000 children at 157 child development centers across Central America’s most densely populated nation. Compassion’s work in El Salvador is part of its global effort to tackle the unforeseen barriers to a child’s healthy development.

Addressing issues of poverty, malnutrition, lack of education, the ravages of natural disasters and more, Compassion works to bring help and hope to more than 1 million sponsored children and their families.

Compassion International is a Christian child development organization that works to permanently releases children from poverty.