Note: This document may not always reflect the actual appropriations determined by Congress. Final budget allocations for USAID's programs are not determined until after passage of an appropriations bill and preparation of the Operating Year Budget (OYB).
EL SALVADOR
FY 1998 Development Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $33,235,000 Introduction
El Salvador's small size, approximately that of Massachusetts, belies its importance to U.S. foreign policy objectives in the region. Located in the center of a region that, with Mexico, borders on the United States, El Salvador's political and economic stability are important to U.S. interests in the region. Any instability in El Salvador would directly affect its neighbors--undermining their economic development and transitions towards peace, democracy and the rule of law. El Salvador's stability is equally important to facilitate regional cooperation in the pursuit of peace, the fight against international crime, the expansion of U.S. economic opportunities and the protection of the environment. The threat from illegal immigration is particularly relevant to U.S. interests in El Salvador. Salvadorans, primarily as a consequence of the civil war, account for well over 300,000 illegal immigrants; the second largest group of illegal immigrants after those from Mexico. Renewed instability in El Salvador would, no doubt, lead to another wave of illegal Salvadoran immigration. Finally, humanitarian interests compel the U.S. to address the widespread poverty in one of the least developed countries in the hemisphere.The Development Challenge
El Salvador is poised at the beginning of a new chapter in its history. The civil war ended five years ago. The subsequent transition from war to peace in El Salvador is held up as a model for other countries in the world undergoing similar transitions and for U.S. foreign policy initiatives in those countries. Significant progress has been achieved in establishing a foundation for sustainable development and democracy in El Salvador. El Salvador's economy has enjoyed significant economic growth and macroeconomic stability in the last four years. This growth was accompanied by reductions in poverty, particularly in urban areas.In recent years, an important economic policy reform program has been implemented with support from USAID. This program has resulted in lower tariff barriers, increased revenue collection, tightened monetary policy, and a re-privatized banking sector. The Government of El Salvador's (GOES') commitment to modernization of the state is reflected in the negotiations for the sale of the state telephone company and plans for the eventual privatization of electric power distribution.
The GOES continues to build upon the fundamental changes undertaken immediately after the cessation of hostilities to strengthen democracy in El Salvador. These changes resulted in a complete restructuring of the Supreme Court, a purging and significant downsizing of the military and the formation of a civilian-based, independent police force. An Office of Ombudsman for Human Rights was also created. The court system has engaged in a rigorous process of accountability, including the dismissal of corrupt judges.
More important, however, are local observers' opinions that El Salvador today is a more open society. The lively public debate surrounding legislation and the presentation of differing points of view in the media are important indications of a healthy democratic process. This presents a hopeful atmosphere for change, which for El Salvador was an unheard of phenomenon only a few short years ago.
Nonetheless, the potential for social and economic instability is still present. Its primary sources are poverty and the unfinished consolidation of the peace and democratic processes. El Salvador ranks among the least developed countries in the Western Hemisphere. Only Honduras and Haiti have lower scores than El Salvador on the United Nations Development Program's Human Development Index, a composite of health, education and income indicators. El Salvador's per capita income, adjusted to reflect the cost of living, is the fifth lowest in the hemisphere. Nationally, 41 infants die for every 1,000 live births. In the central region, the death rate for children under five years old is 81 children per 1,000 live births. Fewer than 50 percent of Salvadorans graduate from sixth grade, only one out of three completes the ninth grade and only one out of five completes high school. El Salvador's literacy rate is the fourth lowest in the hemisphere.
The poverty and weaknesses in the governance system are most evident in rural areas. The benefits of strong macroeconomic growth have not reached the vast majority of rural, small landholders and rural residents. The limited economic opportunity in rural areas is reflected in and exacerbated by the low educational attainment--about one-third of male and female heads of the poorest households are illiterate--the serious deficiency in productive infrastructure, and the limited availability of productive services. Government-provided health services target urban areas and emphasize costly, hospital-based curative care. Inefficiencies in public institutions and over-centralization of power limit public influence, particularly of the rural poor, and responsiveness to citizen needs.
While significantly better than many countries, and better than it has been in modern history, El Salvador's governance system clearly needs continued strengthening. Political rights and civil liberties are still rated as only "partially free" by the Freedom House despite improvements since the civil war. El Salvador, with one of the highest per capita murder rates in the world, is confronting a crime wave that has become one of the greatest concerns of Salvadorans, and reflects a weak rule of law. Violent crime of this magnitude has negative repercussions for the development of democracy as people look toward some form of authoritarian response to the disorder. Furthermore, El Salvador lacks a broad-based civil society for redressing social inequality and protecting individual rights.
El Salvador's environmental situation is equally grave. Only five percent of the country is covered with forest or woodland (not including coffee plantations); the third lowest percentage after Uruguay and Haiti in the hemisphere. Pollution and contamination are equally serious concerns. For example, virtually all natural surface water systems are contaminated with sewage, agricultural runoff, industrial waste and sediment--with consequent impact on human health and environmental stability. Degradation of the natural resource base in some areas is so pronounced that recovery or rehabilitation of these lands is virtually impossible.
The severe degradation of the environment is exacerbated by a population growth rate of 2.3 percent in this already over-crowded country. With a population density of 263.5 people per 100,000 square hectares, El Salvador has the second highest population density in the hemisphere. This growth is evident daily in this smallest of Central American countries: in the spread of urban slums and the inability of urban services to keep pace with the growing demand.
The challenge ahead is to address the multi-faceted characteristics of rural poverty. An inter-disciplinary approach that maximizes the synergies between USAID's and other partners' resources and activities is essential. The successes of the recent past provide a strong foundation for this effort.
Other Donors
Despite declining assistance levels, USAID continues to be the largest bilateral donor. The other major donors include the World Bank, the European Economic Community, Japan, France, Spain, Germany and the InterAmerican Development Bank.FY 1998 Program
In FY 1998, USAID will enter the second year of implementation of its new six-year strategy for assistance to El Salvador. The goal of this strategy is: sustainable development and democracy. This goal reflects the Agency's mission of sustainable development while emphasizing the importance of democracy to El Salvador's future. Achievement of this goal, an objective beyond the timeframe of the current strategy, depends on the consolidation of peace and the alleviation of poverty. These sub-goals support and are integral to achievement of U.S. foreign policy objectives in El Salvador. Achievement of these sub-goals will be realized through the pursuit of an integrated strategy of four inter-dependent strategic objectives. These objectives directly support USAID's goals in the areas of economic growth, democracy, health and environment. Common to these objectives is the Mission's customers: Salvadorans living in poverty, especially women and youth, primarily in rural areas. Each objective will target specific problems of this customer group.In addition, a special objective to complete activities supporting the war-to-peace transition, supporting the Agency's goal of reducing suffering and reinforcing development potential, will draw to a close at the end of FY 1997. USAID's contribution to the fulfillment of the Peace Accords has been substantial. The GOES and the United Nations have referred to the National Reconstruction Plan as a model program in assisting a country make the difficult transition from war to peace. USAID is the largest contributor to the plan. Through USAID's support, 95,000 people received training, nearly 35,000 ex-combatants received title to land and 2,300 small infrastructure activities have been completed. In addition, more than 20,000 ex-combatants have benefited from a wide array of USAID-financed activities including counseling, training, scholarships and agricultural credit. Since 1994, the reconstruction plan has concentrated efforts on the long-term social and economic needs of the 115 municipalities located in the ex-conflictive zone. More than 130 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have assisted in the implementation of 90 separate activities benefiting the 1.4 million people residing in the ex-conflictive areas.
Agency Goal: Encouraging Broad-Based Economic Growth
Until 1996, the emphasis of USAID's support for economic growth in El Salvador was at the macroeconomic level. The achievements have been impressive. However, while this approach did result in lower poverty rates, the impact was more pronounced in the urban areas. Under the new six-year strategy, activities are being focused on expanding access and opportunity for rural families in poverty to participate in and benefit from El Salvador's growing economy. To achieve this, and thereby increase rural incomes, USAID is pursuing four targets:
* Better educated rural residents (with an emphasis on basic education)
* Expanded equitable access to financial, technical and marketing services by the rural poor
* Better rural productive infrastructure
* Economic policy environment supporting greater equityThis objective builds on the successes and in some cases continues activities initiated under the war-to-peace transition program. USAID will play only a minor role in the provision of new infrastructure, relying on other donors and international banks to take the lead in that area. In addition, USAID will monitor other donor activities to improve the use of land.
Strategic Objective 1: Expanded Access and Opportunity for Rural Families in Poverty Agency Goal: Building Democracies
USAID's support for reforms in the judicial sector, free and fair elections, political and administrative decentralization and strengthening of the legislature has been behind many of the positive improvements in El Salvador's growing democratic tradition. USAID's current democracy strategic objective will deepen the democratic process in El Salvador by focusing on developing more inclusive and effective democratic processes. This will be accomplished by promoting increased citizen awareness and participation in democratic processes, while continuing to strengthen key institutions. Activities are focused on achieving:
* Improved opportunity for better informed electoral decisions
* Increased access to enhanced legal/judicial protection
* Increased participation in strengthened local governments
* Improved and more transparent GOES management of financial resourcesAchievement of these targets, and the strategic objective itself, will depend on a continued financial commitment from the United States Government for this strategy period.
Strategic Objective 2: More Inclusive and Effective Democratic Processes Agency Goal: Stabilizing Population and Protecting Human Health
USAID has actively supported programs to improve the health status of Salvadorans and to stabilize population growth in El Salvador for decades. During that time, indicators of health status and population growth have improved steadily. By the beginning of the current six-year strategy, USAID was financing, through a network of 18 NGOs, the provision of health services to 440,000 people. Under the current strategy, USAID is expanding the coverage of health services, especially for women and children, and seeking mechanisms for greater sustainability, thereby reducing the dependency of recipients on donor funding levels. This objective is being realized through achievement of:
* More use of appropriate child survival practices and services
* Increased use of appropriate reproductive health practices and services
* Enhanced policy environment to support sustainability of child survival and reproductive health programs
Strategic Objective 3: Sustainable Improvement in the Health of Women and Children Agency Goal: Protecting the Environment
USAID's involvement in El Salvador's environment sector is relatively recent, in comparison to the other strategic objectives. Nonetheless, USAID is by far the major donor supporting activities to address the severe environmental problems facing the country. USAID recognizes that environmental pollution and poor natural resources management are key factors in the achievement of the other strategic objectives, and their mitigation is critical for alleviating poverty and consolidating the peace process. Given the limited resources available for activities in this area, USAID is pursuing a strategy to catalyze Salvadoran and other donor interest in addressing environmental issues. This is being done through:
* Increased awareness of the importance of environmental issues
* Increased knowledge of environmentally sound technologies and practices
Strategic Objective 4: Increased Use of Environmentally Sustainable Practices
EL SALVADOR
FY 1998 PROGRAM SUMMARY (000's)
USAID Strategic Objective
Encouraging Economic
Growth
Stabilizing Population Growth and Protecting Human Health
Protecting the Environment Building Democracy
Providing Humanitarian
Assistance
Total SO 1. Expanded access and economic opportunity for rural families in poverty Dev. Assistance
ESF*
12,010
2,800
14,810
SO 2. More accountable government institutions Dev. Assistance
300
3,600
3,900
SO 3. Sustainable improvement in health of women and children Dev. Assistance
11,125
11,125
SO 4. Increased use of environmentally sound practices in fragile areas Dev. Assistance
3,400
3,400
TOTAL
Dev. Assistance
ESF*
12,010
11,125
6,500
3,600
33,235
*LAC Regional request include $1,000,000 attributed to El Salvador growth objective.
USAID Mission Director: Kenneth Ellis
ACTIVITY DATA SHEET
PROGRAM: EL SALVADOR
TITLE AND NUMBER: Expanded Access and Economic Opportunity, 519-SO01
STATUS: Continuing
PROPOSED OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: FY 1998 $ 14,810,000 DA and $1,000,000 ESF (attributed under LAC Regional Request)
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 1997; ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2002
Purpose: To expand access and economic opportunity for El Salvador's rural families in poverty.
Background: The long years of conflict and economic stagnation experienced by El Salvador in the 1970s and 1980s led to a severe deterioration of living standards for the country's urban and rural poor. The peace process and ambitious economic and social sector reforms consolidated during the 1990s have improved the availability and quality of basic education, raised incomes and reduced unemployment. The chief beneficiaries, however, have been the urban poor.
USAID Role and Achievements to Date: USAID in recent years has provided policy-based cash transfer assistance to El Salvador to assist that country's efforts to modernize the state, restore macroeconomic stability and pursue higher rates of growth. In 1995, El Salvador's real GDP grew at a annual rate of 6.1%, and per capita GDP rose by more than 4%. Private investment as a percentage of GDP reach 16.1%, increasing from 10.7% in 1990. Total value deports expanded y 33% in 1995. Manufacturing and textile assembly plants showed dynamism for the fifth year in a row, with a value-added increase of 45%. At the same time, USAID policy dialogue and technical assistance emphasized GOES efforts to spread the benefits of growth to include the poor. USAID projects have complemented policy reform, in giving urban and rural poor households better access to credit, technology, training and basic education, to help raise their incomes. Over 80,000 beneficiaries (68% men and 32% women) have received agricultural or microenterprise credit to improve farm production or small business ventures. Real per capita income has grown by 26.4% since 1990, and poverty has decreased from 60.2% of the total population in 1990 to 47.7% in 1995.
Description: Residents of rural areas are lagging behind those in urban centers as beneficiaries of growth. Poverty and extreme poverty are higher in rural areas, and traditional sources of rural income such as agriculture are stagnating. For this reason, USAID is now directing its programs to expand access to financial services, markets, education and infrastructure for rural households so that they may better participate in and benefit from the strengthened Salvadoran economy. Policy reforms to be supported will emphasize greater availability of public services such as education and infrastructure for the rural poor, and adoption of market-based policies that serve to multiply economic opportunities in rural areas. Complementing policy reform will be activities that invest in institutions and service providers working with the rural poor, with the objective of expanding household income opportunities. For example, USAID will work with NGOs to amplify access by the rural poor to credit and secure savings, and to technology and marketing services. USAID will continue its collaboration with the Ministry of Education to further expand access to quality basic education, through activities such as teacher training, textbook delivery and evaluation of classroom practices.
Host Country and Other Donors: The GOES has been viewed as an energetic and successful implementor of needed economic and social policy reforms. Its actions to expand access to basic education have set a standard for the region, and its efforts to modernize the state stand out within Central America. As a result, the international financial institutions have active programs providing significant resources to El Salvador, and many bilateral donor efforts are also present. At the same time, the large inflow of donor resources pledged to support implementation of the 1992 Peace Accords is now winding down. The legacy of this coordinated donor effort--close collaboration and communication among the GOES and the donor community active in El Salvador--remains strongly in place and will contribute to the continued success of the USAID program.
Beneficiaries: While all Salvadorans benefit when the economy grows, USAID intends through its activities to accelerate the benefits of growth accruing to rural households in poverty.
Principal Contractors, Grantees or Agencies: USAID implements its activities through U.S. firms such as Chemonics and the Academy for Educational Development (AED). GOES counterparts include the Ministries of Education, Economy and Agriculture. USAID also works with an array of local and U.S.-based NGOs, which include Catholic Relief Services (CRS) , the Cooperative League of the USA (CLUSA), Technoserve, the Foundation for International Community Assistance (FINCA), the Microenterprise Support Center, the Foundation of Entrepreneurs for Educational Development and the Ungo Foundation.
Major Results Indicators: Baseline TargetRural population with children 80.4% (1995) 84.5% (1998) aged 7-10 attending school
Rural residents receiving 36,450 (1996) 100,000 (1998) services (e.g., marketing, TA, processing, management)
Percent of GOES investment budget allocated to the poorest departments (1996) (1998)
- Morazan 0.6 2.0
- Chaletenango 0.9 2.0
- Cabanas 0.4 1.8
ACTIVITY DATA SHEET PROGRAM: EL SALVADOR
TITLE AND NUMBER: More Inclusive and Effective Democratic Processes, 519-SO02
STATUS: Continuing
PROPOSED OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: FY 1998 $ 3,900,000 DA
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 1997; ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2002
Purpose : To support Salvadoran efforts to strengthen democratic processes and increase citizen participation.
Background: This objective, supported by USAID since the mid-1980s, began with efforts to strengthen and reform the Salvadoran justice system. Subsequently, the program was expanded to include institutional strengthening programs directed at the legislature, electoral administration, and organized labor, as well as support to foster national reconciliation and a vibrant civil society. The Peace Accords produced fundamental changes to key democratic institutions and practices, including the complete restructuring of the Supreme Court, a purging and significant downsizing of the military and the formation of a civilian-based, independent police force, and the creation of the ombudsman for human rights. Perhaps more important, however, are incipient changes in key democratic processes, such as more open public decision-making and freedom of association, which have given rise to the formation of numerous non-governmental organizations serving as outlets for the expression of citizen interest and opinion. Opportunities for citizen participation in decision making, particularly at the local municipal level and around the legislative process have increased notably, although the effectiveness of civil society in the deliberative process remains an area of concern. Other constraints to achievement of this objective include weak or non-existent checks and balances on key democratic processes and institutions, a significant increase in violence that has the public demanding stringent and more dramatic measures be taken by the justice system to combat crime, and declining levels of citizen confidence in key institutions and willingness to participate in democratic processes, e.g., voting.
USAID Role and Achievements to Date: As noted above, USAID, working with partners in both the public and private sectors, has focused much of its assistance on the administration of justice/rule of law. Among the most important achievements in this sector is the creation of a Coordinating Commission for the Justice Sector, the strengthening of the public defenders and prosecutors office, an improved case tracking system, and the introduction of oral, adversarial procedures in family and juvenile offender jurisdictions. Reforms to the criminal procedures code which would introduce oral and adversarial procedures in the criminal courts are expected to be approved by early 1997. In the area of elections, USAID provided support for the 1994 elections to expand the voter registry by more than 250,000 individuals and to improve election day procedures. USAID assistance to the legislature has resulted in the creation of a permanent advisory staff, which assists legislators with technical analysis to support them in law drafting, and USAID support for the strengthening of local government has focused thus far on increasing municipal revenues and addressing critical infrastructure problems. Finally, USAID has assisted in the strengthening and professionalization of the government's auditing program, and is fostering a national debate on future efforts to combat corruption. These efforts have resulted in the significant strengthening of the independence of the judiciary and legislature and the establishment of the basis for independence for central financial management.
Description: USAID's democratic-strengthening assistance focuses on the following areas: (1) improved opportunities for better informed electoral decisions, by enhancing civic education and other advocacy programs of civil society and supporting further improvements in the electoral process; (2) increased access to enhanced legal/judicial protection; (3) increased participation in strengthened local governments, through efforts to stimulate more informed and extensive citizen participation as well as greater autonomy of local governments; and (4) improved and more transparent management of the government's financial resources, leading to increased confidence in government and democracy. Following passage of the new criminal procedures code, USAID will provided hands-on technical assistance at a select group of demonstration sites to assist the prosecutors, public defenders and judicial personnel develop operational procedures for the new code. Continued support will also be provided for legal reform efforts led by civil society, addressing topics such as mediation and conciliation. Assistance to the 15 municipalities targeted by USAID's municipal development program will improve citizen-local government interaction through the development, negotiation and monitoring of a local development agenda. A complementary effort on the financial management and transparency front will provide training to enable these local citizen groups to oversee budget execution at the municipal level.
Host Country and Other Donors: The Government of El Salvador continues to support reform efforts in the judicial sector, as well as the implementation of a new national civil registry. Multilateral donors, such as the InterAmerican Development Bank, are providing critical support for judicial reform efforts, further legislative strengthening, and public financial management. Bilateral donors, such as Germany, Japan and the Nordic countries, provide support for the electoral processes, civic education and local government.
Beneficiaries: The beneficiaries of our programs are Salvadorans, with emphasis on women, youth and low-income communities, who do not: (1) participate in the formulation of public policies and decision-making; (2) have adequate access to services; (3) have adequate protection under the law; or (4) have adequate experience with democratic practices or education.
Principal Contractors, Grantees or Agencies: The principal government agencies serving as counterparts for USAID's democratic strengthening efforts are the Coordinating Committee for the Justice Sector, the Supreme Court, the Ministry of Justice, the Public Ministry, the Legislative Assembly and the Supreme Electoral Tribunal. Numerous Salvadoran non-governmental organizations receive grant assistance, including 20 organizations working on voter documentation and civic education programs for the 1997 municipal and legislative elections, more than 50 organizations in legal education, and up to 10 organizations on municipal development. Two institutional contractors (Research Triangle Institute and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems) work in partnership with USAID, in the areas of municipal development and elections.
Major Results Indicators: Baseline Target Average case processing time for criminal cases 15.9 months (1996) 13 months (1998)Local municipal agendas established and executed 0 (1996) 7 (1998)
Civil society leadership more representative of diverse elements of the community -- 20 organizations (1998)
ACTIVITY DATA SHEET
PROGRAM: EL SALVADOR
TITLE AND NUMBER:
Sustainable Improvements in Health of Women and Children Achieved,
519-S003STATUS: Continuing
PROPOSED OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCES: FY 1998 $ 11,125,000 DA
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 1997; ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2002
Purpose: To improve the health of women in reproductive age and children under age five through increased use and sustainability of appropriate health practices and services.
Background: Good health is a fundamental building block in the economic and democratic development of El Salvador. Diarrhea, acute respiratory infections and malnutrition continue to be major health problems. Inadequate services for pregnant women for pre- and post-natal care and safe deliveries, low levels of exclusive breastfeeding, and lack of access to potable water and sanitation contribute to maternal and infant morbidity and mortality. Current health system reform is inadequate to develop a sustainable health sector that adequately meets the health needs of women and young children.
Major constraints in the health sector are the lack of trained personnel, over-centralized decision-making, and slow government action to promote health system modernization and reform. In the population sector, religious, cultural and folk beliefs and practices constrain growth in the use of contraceptives.
USAID Role and Achievements to Date: USAID's support for health and population activities in El Salvador spans several decades. Associated with that support has been a steady improvement in health and population indicators, particularly over the past 20 years. The last two health and demographic surveys conducted, in 1988 and 1993, showed a marked improvement in the health status of Salvadorans. The infant mortality rate dropped from 54 per 1,000 live births to 41. Child mortality dropped from 15 per 1,000 live births to 12. Contraceptive prevalence increased from 47% to 53%. The total fertility rate dropped from 4.17 children per woman to 3.83. The incidence of diarrheal diseases in children under age five has decreased. Rural inhabitants with access to potable water and sanitation increased by 120,000. These trends continue. Between 1991 and 1996, USAID support resulted in the reduction in the incidence of malaria from 3 cases per 1000 people to 0.65, and an increase in the percent of rural communities served by a health promoter, from 26% to 70%.
USAID has played a leadership role in the multi-donor coordination effort that takes place in the health sector. USAID's leadership was key to the United Nations Population Fund's (UNFPA) agreement to provide the total Ministry of Health (MOH), and possibly the total national, need for injectable contraceptives. USAID is also credited with focusing high-level public attention on health risks of street children, along with possible solutions.
Description: USAID activities implemented under this objective strive to increase the use of appropriate child survival and reproductive health practices and services, and enhance the policy environment to support sustainability of child survival and reproductive health programs. Many of the activities are expected to have national-level impact within the timeframe of the strategy, but will be initially targeted in four of the 18 MOH departments. These four departments are predominantly rural and poor, and weakest in the delivery and administration of health services. They also receive the least donor support.
Specific activities include: training and supervision of health promoters, expanding coverage of the population by promoters, increasing the number of services provided by health promoters and expanding midwife coverage. New activities include introducing the Pan American Health Organization's (PAHO) protocol for managing childhood illnesses. Also, efforts continue in strengthening NGO sustainability, implementing the cost-recovery system in the MOH, and health sector policy reform and modernization.
Host Country and Other Donors: USAID is currently the largest donor in the health sector. The Interamerican Development Bank (IDB) and World Bank could become the largest donors once negotiations with the MOH for a health modernization loan are completed. PAHO is providing technical assistance to the MOH in the development of a management information system and control of transmissible diseases and HIV/AIDS. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has taken the leadership in food fortification and micronutrient issues, and is providing support for childhood vaccination, breastfeeding, water supply and sanitation activities. UNFPA is assisting in the development of community based family planning and child survival services at the departmental level. Germany, Japan, Spain, and Sweden are providing funds for midwife training, cholera prevention, maternal and infant health care services, basic community health services, and installation and rehabilitation of water supply and sanitation systems. The Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) and the European Economic Community (EEC) are funding the construction and reconstruction of hospitals. The EEC is also providing support for health education, medical, dental and food assistance, and rural water supply and sanitation systems.
In 1993, the MOH's host country contribution was $4,000,000. In 1998, the estimated contribution will be $21,000,000. In addition, in 1998, local NGOs and U.S. NGOs are expected to contribute $3,115,000 and $800,000, respectively.
Beneficiaries: Beneficiaries are Salvadorans living in poverty, especially women in reproductive age and children under age five, particularly those in rural areas. Poor women and children under five in El Salvador total approximately 1,000,000 people.
Principal Contractors, Grantees or Agencies: USAID assistance in the health area is implemented through the following contractors, local NGOs, and U.S. PVOs, that are working closely with the MOH: Medical Services Corporation International, CARE, Project Concern International and the Salvadoran Demographic Association.
Major Results Indicators: Baseline (1993) Target (1998)Maternal Mortality Ratio 158 140
Infant Mortality Rate 41 35
Child Mortality Rate 52 44
Total Fertility Rate 3.85 3.50
ACTIVITY DATA SHEET
PROGRAM: EL SALVADOR
TITLE AND NUMBER:
Increased Use of Environmentally Sound Technologies and Practices in Selected Fragile Areas, 519-SO04STATUS: Continuing
PROPOSED OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: FY 1998: $3,400,000 DA
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 1995; ESTIMATED COMPLETION DAT E: FY 2002
Purpose: To increase the use of environmentally sound technologies and practices in selected fragile areas.
Background: Population pressures in the most densely populated country in the continental western hemisphere, uneven distribution of wealth, and a rapidly expanding economy are all factors placing increasing pressure on El Salvador's natural resources and environment. Unsustainable agricultural practices, inadequate or no treatment of liquid and solid wastes, and almost a total lack of environmental legislation contribute further to an already untenable situation. Knowledge about environmental problems is superficial, and even less is known about potential solutions. Few government officials and other decisionmakers are aware of the environmental and economic consequences of not taking appropriate mitigative and preventive measures immediately. In the face of all these readily apparent pressures, the country is more than ripe for implementing successful environmental programs.
USAID Role and Achievements to Date: USAID's entry into the environmental sector in El Salvador is relatively recent, starting with support for NGOs and an environmental action plan for the GOES in 1990. Nevertheless, USAID was recognized by the GOES Environment Executive Secretariat in October 1996 as the bilateral donor contributing the most to the environment sector from 1992 through 1996.
During this period, a USAID activity assisted seven leading NGOs to become credible advocates for the environment. Another major activity supported policy formulation, and for the first time in Salvadoran history, the general public was able to comment on proposed legislation, as the National Assembly, with USAID technical assistance, held over 30 public hearings on the Draft Environmental Protection Framework Law. At the request of the GOES, a forestry incentives program, a new forestry law, and a new protected areas law were prepared with USAID technical assistance in 1996. Environmental education materials (curricula, teachers' manuals, videos, and a series of radio programs) were prepared and distributed to primary schools and NGOs, and national environmental mass media campaigns focused on air and water pollution were supported. The same environmental activity has initiated a number of actions with national counterparts to demonstrate the benefits of managing natural resources in a sustainable manner in an important watershed, from a mountain-top national park to a mangrove reserve on the coast.
The environmental objective has just begun an activity with government agencies, the private sector, and NGOs to prepare an environmental profile and action plan for the municipalities comprising the greater San Salvador area. USAID has also initiated environmental action plans for municipalities and a pollution prevention program for the industrial sector.
Collaterally, through the Initiative for the Americas Debt Reduction Fund (FIAES), over 150 conservation and child survival projects have been implemented by NGOs since 1994.
Description: The focus of this strategic objective is on assisting Salvadoran civil society, the private industrial sector, policy makers to increase the use of environmentally sound practices in selected fragile areas. El Salvador can attain a solid foundation for sustainable development in six years ifbroad-based awareness of environmental problems were present in the population, and the demonstration and knowledge of environmentally sound practices and technologies were widely available. In addition, such knowledge would lead to civil society demanding the right to a clean environment, and a change in attitudes by the policy and decision makers.
Three modes of delivering environmental education are being emphasized: formal (i.e., curricula in schools); informal (i.e., mass media campaigns, broad audiences); and non-formal (i.e., training of intermediaries, targeted audiences). Attention is also being given to engaging policy and decision-makers in discussions of environmental issues. Exposure to and demonstration of technologies, practices and benefits of environmental management is equally necessary to offer a tangible example of how to change habits and practices. Activities will focus on demonstrating the economic and environmental benefits of practices that conserve and improved the natural resource base; seminars, technology demonstrations and pilot municipal and industrial pollution control activities; and administrative, financial, and technical strengthening of national protected areas system.
Host Country and Other Donors: The InterAmerica Development Bank (IDB) has initiated its $33 million dollar project to strengthen the Salvadoran Environmental Authority to establish environmental units in various ministries and to implement a Watershed Management project in the upper Lempa Watershed. The IDB is also designing a major pollution control activity. The UNDP is planning a $2.5 million dollar activity to develop the Mesoamerican Ecological Corridor. The estimated host country counterpart contribution for FY1998 is $2,500,000.
Beneficiaries: Primarily residents of environmentally fragile areas (hillsides and flood plains), with limited access to potable water, sanitation, education and arable land.
Principal Contractors, Grantees, or Agencies: USAID implements activities in this sector through Abt Associates, the Academy for Educational Development and several local NGOs.
Major Results Indicators: Baseline (1996) Target (1998)
Number of people in selected areas using environmentally sound technologies 13,000men/8,700women 13,700men/9,200women and practices.
Number of households, private sector 308 enterprises and muni- 620 enterprises and muni- enterprises, and municipalities directly cipalities. cipalities. using or benefiting from environmentally ound pollution prevention and abatement technologies and practices in selected areas.
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