El Salvador was founded in 1961, since when it has been working to improve the quality of life for the poorest people, and to help those who suffer in times of crisis or emergency. It works through parishes in the country’s eight dioceses to ensure that it reaches remote regions where help is most urgently needed.



Budget

US$ 2.6 million in 2007

Paid staff 

100 - 500

Volunteers

1,000

Beneficiaries

70,000 people in 300 communities

Long-term programmes in support of rural development, environmental management, migrants, women and prisoners form a major part of the work of Caritas El Salvador, in addition to which the organization is currently supporting reconstruction work for the victims of Hurricane Stan and the Llamatepec volcano. Caritas El Salvador promotes advocacy on issues such as access to water, climate change, dam construction, mining, health and prisons.

A quarter of El Salvador’s population live on less than US$1 per day, and there is large-scale unemployment. Remittances from migrant workers in the USA constitute the country’s largest source of revenue – and for many families it is their only source of income. The effects of the 12-year civil war in El Salvador, which ended 15 years ago, are still felt in many parts of the country.

Programmes

The main areas of intervention addressed by Caritas El Salvador include:

  • Migration. Caritas El Salvador organizes training and projects that aim to maximize the potential benefits of migration in the development of migrants’ home communities.
  • Women. Women are heads of household in 50 percent of homes in El Salvador, but there is considerable discrimination against them in terms of access to education, jobs and political representation. There is also a high level of violence against women. Caritas El Salvador organizes workshops and conferences aimed at empowering women.
  • Health. Caritas El Salvador supports projects and training workshops on infant health, HIV and AIDS, dengue fever, hygiene, vaccination and mental health.
  • Risk management. Caritas El Salvador facilitates a network of community risk reduction committees, with the aim of reducing vulnerability to economic and other shocks.