El Salvador

El Salvador has an average rainfall almost three times greater than the rest of the world. However, it is also a country which faces serious socio-environmental problems resulting from the growing scarcity of water for human consumption and the development of agriculture and industry. A serious disparity exists between rainy and dry seasons - either flooding or drought.

Our project in El Salvador focuses on the protection and sustainable management of natural resources. We work with communities to solve socio-environmental conflicts at the local, national and regional level. Our efforts are aimed at creating a new attitude to water, based on the fundamental principles of water as a public commodity.

The project will be run by two Development Workers with local partners UNES and FUMA. (These organisations work to support the people in organising themselves to protect their water, their forests, their air and their agriculture). They will have a clear role in strengthening water policies and natural resources management.

The role of Progressio Ireland in El Salvador has never been more important. Given the territorial size of the country, its ever-growing population and a lack of government concern for environmental sustainability, the plight of the poor is visibly deteriorating.