Updated: March 2009
El Salvador
Overview | World Vision's history in El Salvador | World Vision in El Salvador today
OverviewThe Republic of El Salvador is located on the Pacific Coast of Central America between Guatemala and Honduras. The smallest country in the Americas, El Salvador is comparable in size to the state of New Jersey. The Sierra Madre Mountains run east-west in the country’s northern region, while a heavily populated rolling plateau occupies much of the central area. The south consists of more than 20 volcanoes and a narrow coastal plain along the Pacific. The climate is tropical along the coast and more temperate in the highlands. Natural resources include hydropower, geothermal power, petroleum, and arable land.More than 90 percent of Salvadorans are Mestizo, a people of mixed Amerindian and European heritage. Caucasians, mostly of Spanish descent, make up nine percent of the population and indigenous groups, such as the Pipil and Lenca, comprise the remaining one percent. Nearly everyone speaks Spanish, the country’s official language, though English and the native language Nahua are also spoken. Around 60 percent of people are employed in service occupations while 20 percent of adults are engaged in farming. Agriculture products include coffee, sugar, rice, beans, cotton, shrimp, beef, and dairy goods. The Salvadoran region was first visited by Spanish Admiral Andrés Niño in May 1522. Spain would rule all of Central America for the next 300 years. After a decade of advocating for freedom, El Salvador declared independence in 1821. The country’s early history as an independent state was marked by frequent revolutions—it wasn’t until the early 20th century that national stability was achieved. |  |
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| Following a decline in democracy in the 1970s, a period of civil war plagued the country from 1980 to 1992. El Salvador had begun to recover from the war when it was hit by Hurricane Mitch in 1998 and a series of earthquakes in 2001. In October 2005, the Santa Ana Volcano erupted shortly after Tropical Storm Stan moved through the country causing massive flooding and killing 72 people. On January 1, 2001, El Salvador adopted the U.S. dollar as its official currency, replacing the struggling colón. Consequently, inflation stabilized, interest rates decreased, and economic growth slowly but steadily rose. Despite the improvements, there are still 2.5 million Salvadorans—37 percent of the population—living below the poverty line, and more than 40 percent living on less than $2 a day. In November 2006, the government of El Salvador signed a five-year compact with the Millennium Challenge Corporation (a U.S. government agency) to help stimulate fiscal growth in the country. The country’s economy has been negatively affected by a rising tide of violent crime. El Salvador has the highest murder rate in the world; between 2003 and 2007, more than 16,000 murders were committed. Child abuse is also a concern as 70 percent of children indicate they have been mistreated in their homes. Medical care for victims, restoration of material damages caused by crime, and protection of property have drained a large portion of federal resources. The United Nations estimated that in 2003, violent crimes cost the Salvadoran government $1.7 billion, then equivalent to 11.5 percent of the gross domestic product. A strategic plan to counter violence is being considered by the current government. Back to top World Vision's history in El SalvadorWorld Vision began its work in El Salvador in 1975, initiating a child sponsorship program through five school projects. By the end of 1978, efforts had grown to include 25 projects with 3,828 sponsored children. That year, a World Vision office was opened in the capital city of San Salvador. In the late 1970s, widespread political violence erupted into a full-blown civil war. By the end of 1980, 7,000 civilians had died and another 3,000 were missing. Warring conditions caused the displacement of 40,000 people already suffering from the effects of poverty. The closure of government offices and shortages of goods compounded problems.Approximately 9,200 children were in the sponsorship program by 1985, despite the violent environment of civil war. Child and family assistance projects offered education, nutrition, health care, literacy classes, and job resources. Ten community development projects provided agricultural assistance, medical care, and safe water. Three vocational training schools taught tailoring, dressmaking, carpentry, and embroidery. Other activities included food and seed distribution and the reconstruction of flooded homes. By 1986, World Vision was operating in 108 development projects within El Salvador. A major relief effort was launched after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck San Salvador on October 10, 1986, followed by an additional quake just 15 minutes later. Thousands were killed or injured, and more than 20,000 families were left homeless. Heavy structural damage claimed major buildings, including hospitals. World Vision responded through coordinating relief efforts with local churches and existing projects. Due to World Vision’s inventory of relief supplies, provisions were made available within hours of the quake. From 1991 to 1998, World Vision’s emphasis turned to rehabilitation and development efforts following the peace agreement of 1992. The damage wrought by the 12-year civil war left the country in need of repair. By 1995, more than 33,000 children were receiving care through the child sponsorship program. A community development program in San Lucas, started in 1993, provided 30,000 people with education, health care, and agricultural technology. World Vision continued its rehabilitation efforts in response to Hurricane Mitch’s devastation of the country in 1998. There were more than 37,000 sponsored children in 48 projects by the end of 1999. The Mana Project, serving 2,000 people in the Suchitoto area, focused on economic development through providing credit to families. As a result, businesses were established, children attended school, houses were constructed, sustainable agriculture flourished, and local churches were strengthened. In early 2001, El Salvador was rocked by a series of severe earthquakes. At least 1,200 people were killed, and 300,000 dwellings were either damaged or destroyed, leaving 1 million people homeless. Within the first month, World Vision assisted more than 15,000 people by providing food, water, medicine, housewares, and plastic sheeting for temporary shelter. World Vision constructed seven seismic- and weather-resistant homes in 2005, offered temporary shelter to nearly 34,000 people, and provided food to more than 4,000 flood-affected children and family members. Back to top World Vision in the El Salvador todayWorld Vision is committed to partnering with the people of El Salvador to enhance their lives today and to help enact sustainable solutions for the future of their communities, families, and children. Currently, 51,775 children are registered in the World Vision sponsorship program. Several times this number of children and other family members benefit from World Vision activities. Of these registered children, many have World Vision sponsors in other countries. U.S. donors sponsor nearly 25,000 girls and boys. In addition, World Vision operates 20 development programs, nine of which are supported by U.S. donors. Highlights of these efforts include the following:
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