"The Bible Society wants to give the comfort of the Word of God to those affected both materially and psychologically, co-operating with the churches to distribute Scriptures," he emphasised.

Within hours of the earthquake the Bible Society began production of items for distribution. The cost of the materials, which it has put at just over US$30,000, will initially be met by the UBS Rapid Response Reserve. National Bible Societies are accordingly asked to make donations to help meet this emergency need and top up the Reserve, which exists so that in the wake of disasters anywhere in the world, help can be sent to the nearest Bible Society without delay.

As well as the planned distribution of Scripture materials, Mr Gonzalez said the Bible Society could channel "any other kind of humanitarian aid the Fellowship wants to contribute".

The bulk of the proposed distribution will consist of three quarters of a million copies of Psalm 91, which, in the Good News Bible, is entitled 'God Our Protector'. The rest of the Scripture distribution will consist of 50,000 Mini-Comics, 40,000 copies of a Portion entitled God Our Refuge and 15,000 copies of a New Testament entitled God Speaks to Man.

The earthquake, which occurred on Saturday and had its epicentre some 20 miles offshore, measured 7.6 on the Richter scale. The scene of the greatest damage was the district of Las Colinas, near the capital, San Salvador, where a 1,500-foot (450 metre) landslide engulfed almost 500 houses in mud. Damage was widespread, affecting not only El Salvador but also neighbouring Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.

This week, as continued aftershocks and landslides hindered international rescue efforts, the likely death toll was being put at 1,400. Many churches were comforting people who had lost hope.

Pablo Gonzalez, General Secretary of the Bible Society of El Salvador, reported that no member of his staff had been hurt but that the walls of Bible House had begun to show the effects of the hundreds of aftershocks which followed the earthquake.

In an e-mail sent to UBS General Secretary the Rev Fergus Macdonald on Monday, he described the situation in the country as chaotic. "Many towns and small communities have been almost destroyed," Mr Gonzalez said. "The government is setting up shelters for those affected, and many institutions are trying to help with provisions and clothes."

Source: United Bible Societies