El Salvador

Key findings and conclusions at the national level

• A lack of support from local and national authorities, as well as a lack of resources, neighbourhood collaboration and community commitment, mean that pollution is not dealt with
• There is a lack of coordination between community members and local government on disaster risk information sharing
• Social violence and delinquency are believed to be the threats that future generations will have to face – it is essential that the mayor’s office and the central government coordinate actions so that the needs of the community are heard and addressed

Surveys undertaken in El Salvador

Our Views from the Frontline surveys in El Salvador were undertaken in 2019.

Who was surveyed?

We surveyed 786 random households, 150 civil society organisations, 152 local government representatives, and undertook 75 community consultations.

Risk locations prioritised

We prioritised two risk areas:

• Ahuachapán
• Usulután

Communities surveyed

We surveyed people from 14 communities: Chinchilla, Getsemani, La Labor, El Puente, Los Castillos, Santa Elena, Cooperativa, San Hilario, El poston o Los Ensayos, La Ermita, Cañada Colorada-San Francisco, Mata de Piña, Samuria Jucuaran and El Jutal.

Our impact

Activities undertaken in response to community-level findings and conclusions

• Trained the community on environmental and disaster risk management through education campaigns
• Strengthened the resilience capacities of inter-community organisations such as water boards, women’s associations, and youth leaders
• Repaired and retrofitted community buildings, such as medical dispensaries, dry chamber latrines for kindergarten children and community shelters
• Raised awareness of farmers on ecosystem maintenance and securing lands through plantations

Impact of activities

• The initiatives reduce the information gap and also increase the rate of participation of communities, including women, children and youth, in development actions and information on risk-informed development approaches in the community
• Community members actively participated in community-level action planning, assessment, implementation and monitoring led by the government to address the disaster risks and threats
• Increased understanding in local government on the need for inclusion of community members in community development plans

Our project partners in El Salvador

Our Views from the Frontline programme is implemented by GNDR member organisations and partners in the country.

National coordinating organisation

• Funsalprodese

Partner organisations

• IMU
• PROCARES