El Salvador is a tiny but densely populated nation in which the gap between the poor majority and the rich elite is huge. The country suffered through years of bitter civil war in the 1980s and is highly susceptible to natural disasters, which constitute a regular and formidable threat to the security of the population.
Natural disasters: El Salvador is vulnerable to earthquakes, hurricanes, flooding, landslides and even volcanic eruptions. These natural threats easily turn into full-blown disasters due to high levels of poverty, vulnerability and lack of infrastructure. Any weather related disasters are likely to be exacerbated by the growing threat from climate change.
History and inequality: El Salvador’s colonial legacy left a society full of inequalities, with a few wealthy people owning most of the land. A succession of dictators and military regimes widened the gap between the elitist land-owning class and the landless workers. The twelve year civil war left social and economic problems that remain unsolved to this day.
Violence: El Salvador is the most violent country in Central America, with 19% of adults victims of some form of crime each year. Violent and criminal gangs act with impunity, and justice and security institutions are unable to fulfil their role. This the very real and dangerous reality within which our partners work.
Our work
Our partners in El Salvador help people prepare for the devastating impact of tropical storms, hurricanes and floods. They also try to address economic inequality by empowering communities to improve their livelihoods. Our partners also advocate for policy change at government level on issues like climate change and sustainability.
In the future, the El Salvador team will engage more with partners involved in the tax justice campaign and accountable governance.
Our partners
Partner organisation Aprodehni works with children and young people, helping them understand environmental issues. It works in local schools to support them in adapting to changes in their climate.
Its long term project consists of constructing wells, water systems and latrines and implementing a reforestation programme.
PROCARES works to support poor Salvadorians in rural areas to help improve their living conditions. Many poor communities live on poor quality land, and PROCARES helps them make a living through activities such as shrimp farming.
UNES is a network made up of 23 non-governmental organisations and academic institutions working on environmental issues.
It fights for the protection and conservation of the environment, as well as the promotion of sustainable development. Together they carry out awareness raising campaigns and lobby the government for agreements on biodiversity and sustainable resources.
What you can do
• Help us continue our our work by donating.
• Take action to help eradicate poverty and injustice across the world.
Further content
• Learn more about the effects of natural disasters on development
• See a photo gallery displaying our Central American and Caribbean partners’ work on disaster preparedness.
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