MERIDA, Mexico — Look past the fallen trees bunched-up along every street in this colonial city in the Yucatan Peninsula, and there are signs of a speedy recovery from Hurricane Isidore.

Merida's central plaza is again alive with activity. Artisans display their wares for tourists and the city's famous guayabera shops are open for business. Yet many living in the Yucatan communities and coastal towns outside downtown Merida will carry the scars of Isidore's lashings for months to come. The hurricane destroyed much of the peninsula's agricultural industry, leaving many out of work and scrambling to find new jobs.

To address immediate needs, officials from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spent the past week organizing, shipping and distributing a large relief supply shipment to help remedy food, medical and shelter shortages in the Yucatan. A chartered DC-10 cargo jet stuffed with food packs, soap, roofing supplies and other relief goods from the LDS Church left Salt Lake City on Wednesday. Those items were in the hands of their Isidore-weary recipients hours later, thanks to an efficient distribution plan executed by both Utah and local LDS leaders in Yucatan.

"We thought the relief supply mission was very successful," said Garry Flake, director of Church Humanitarian Emergency Response.

But the long-term economic future remains precarious in a post-Isidore Yucatan Peninsula, where many depend on farming and fishing. Church officials say the tenacious storm killed millions of chickens and turkeys and some 400,000 pigs. The citrus fruit industry also has been severely damaged.

"We need to really work with the government to determine how we can best help out," Flake said. "With our own members there's going to be a real need to be adequately trained for any employment opportunities that come. Obviously, employment is going to be a real issue."

LDS bishops and stake presidents in Yucatan will likely play pivotal roles in helping their congregation members find work. A few will need assistance themselves.

"Some members of my ward will lose their jobs," said Fernando Sosa, a bishop in a poor section of Merida. "I've already lost mine."

E-MAIL: jswensen@desnews.com