Access to DRR information and tools strengthens community cohesion in El Salvador
The project works on community access to risk reduction information and tools in El Salvador. The information empowers the community to know their right to participate and improves community's safety and preparedness.
Description
In El Salvador, thousands of people are displaced by floods. The relocation of displaced populations further pushes them to new disaster risks along with existing socio-economic vulnerability. In partnership with GNDR, Fundación Salvadoreña para la Promoción Social y el Desarrollo Económico (Funsalprodese), is a local NGO that has been involved in the Making Displacement Safer project that sought locally-led DRR solutions to challenges faced by populations living in La Union in the east of El Salvador.
In La Union in the east of El Salvador, the relocation of displaced communities has been exposed to several risks and new vulnerabilities. Funsalprodese, ensured that displaced communities had access to early warning systems and evacuation preparedness infrastructure for hazards. To address flood risk in these communities, Funsalprodese supported the installation of lighting and signage along the evacuation route, as well as loudspeakers for early warning. More than 70 solar lamps were distributed among the communities, improving the community’s safety as well as preparedness for evacuation. The two communication systems installed comprised nine-metre sound towers with two loudspeakers, two microphones and amplifier equipment to cover the community. This was supported with orientation sessions to maintain the equipment.
With the knowledge about existing risks and the prevention of future risks, the displaced communities advocated with the government for the right to participate in DRR and climate action planning and investments. As a result, a civil engagement platform was developed by the government.
Did the Sendai Framework change or contribute to changes in your activities/organization? If so, how?
We are the largest international network of civil society organisations working together to strengthen the resilience of communities most at risk of disasters.
Through the project, we can achieve the targets of the Sendai Framework- availability and access to multi-hazard early warning systems & disaster risk information. Also targets to reduce mortality and reduce the number of affected populations.
What led you to make this commitment/initiative?
What was your position before making this Voluntary Commitment / prior to the Sendai Framework?
Following the relocation of multiple communities in El Salvador, several existing risks and new risks appeared relating to social cohesion, access to services, infrastructure and disaster risk. The relocation areas are exposed to climatic and seismic risks. The early warning system has worked well and hazard warnings are communicated and sent out warnings. The information about hazards was shared which provided the people enough time to evacuate and stay safe. As a result, communities were kept informed and were prepared to evacuate thereby supporting efforts to reduce the mortality rate and affected population.
Deliverables and Progress report
Deliverables
Deliverables are the end-products of the initiative/commitment, which can include issuance of publications or knowledge products, outcomes of workshops, training programs, videos, links, photographs, etc.
The main aim of this deliverable is to contribute to the substantial reduction of disaster risk losses in lives, livelihoods and assets for displaced populations in El Salvador to build resilience and avoid displacement, thus contributing to Sendai Framework targets. In La Union, El Salvador, the government has relocated displaced populations from municipalities and from illegal settlements. Yet the relocation presents new disaster risk. This project contributed by GNDR partner Funsalprodese through Making Displacement Safer project support, combines community cohesion, working with government authorities and promoting disaster risk reduction information and tools to concoct an early warning system.
The conducted activities and outcome were reported at the specific project page of the Website.
Organizations and focal points
Implementing Organization(s)
- Fundación Salvadoreña para la Promoción Social y el Desarrollo Económico - FUNSALPRODESE
- Global Network of Civil Society Organisations for Disaster Reduction
Focal points
