Bush pledges $110m to El Salvador

More than 1 million people are still homeless

The President of El Salvador, Francisco Flores, says the United States has promised $110m following two devastating earthquakes this year.

After a meeting with Mr Flores, President George Bush announced he would grant Salvadorans living illegally in the United States a temporary amnesty from deportation.

This will allow use to reconstruct our water systems, the basic infrastructure and the housing

President Flores

''This will allow them to work here and to remit some their wages back home to support El Salvador's recovery efforts,'' Mr Bush said in a statement.

The two major earthquakes in January and February killed at least 1,200 people and caused more than $2bn in damage.

Relief

Mr Flores said Washington promised to provide $52m this year and $58m in 2002.

Mr Flores pleased with US response

''This will allow us to reconstruct our water systems, the basic infrastructure and the housing, which is so important to the 200,000 families that have lost their homes,'' he said.

Although the aid package was welcome to help rebuild the country, Mr Flores said the temporary relief from deportation was more helpful.

''It will allow Salvadoran families here in the United States to send their help to Salvadoran families in devastated areas,'' Mr Flores said.

About 1 million Salvadorans live in the US and the billions of dollars they send back are a mainstay of the Central American nation's economy.

Closer ties

Between 100,000 and 150,000 are expected to be covered by the amnesty.

President Flores said the success of his trip proved that Mr Bush was serious about forging closer ties with Latin America.

''He has given us concrete evidence that he is not only putting out his words, but his will, so this will be a reality,'' he said.

US immigration officials have already halted the deportation of 1,100 Salvadoran nationals since the first earthquake hit on 13 January.

More than 1,500 schools and two dozen hospitals, as well as essential segments of the country's infrastructure, such as the Pan-American Highway, have been badly damaged by the earthquakes and aftershocks.

When the quakes hit, the country had not yet recovered from the damage caused by Hurricane Mitch three years ago.