CRS History in El Salvador

CRS has worked in El Salvador for over 40 years, delivering emergency aid, implementing integrated development projects and promoting charity, justice and solidarity. CRS' first activity in El Salvador was a food program in 1960. After the 1992 Peace Accords, CRS was the first agency to receive funds for the national reconstruction process.

The CRS/El Salvador program has also provided a variety of aid to Salvadorans affected by natural and man-made emergencies, including 12 years of civil war, the 1986 earthquake and Hurricane Mitch. El Salvador was hit particularly hard in 2001. Two major earthquakes devastated the country that year killing 1,240 people and destroying 149,000 homes. In total, more than 1.6 million people were affected. That same year, a prolonged drought left 40,000 families without food and caused massive crop losses ranging from 75 to 100 percent.

In response to these disasters, CRS distributed food, seeds and tools to those affected by the drought and helped families rebuild their homes after the earthquakes. The agency is committed to continue supporting the victims through long-term reconstruction and rehabilitation projects.

CRS/El Salvador's main office is located in San Salvador. The agency also has four additional regional offices with a total of 85 staff.