El Salvador

Slightly smaller than the state of Massachusetts, El Salvador is the smallest and most densely populated country in Central America. Lying along the Pacific Ocean between Guatemala and Honduras, El Salvador is known as "The Land of Volcanoes."

El Salvador—population 7 million—is considered the most industrialized country in Central America. Its people face serious challenges. The income inequality between rural and urban areas is severe. Competition for natural resources is intense. Soil pollution is rife and clean water is in short supply. Environmental degradation and global climate change conspire to make the country even more susceptible to natural disasters. In the past decade alone, El Salvador has experienced a devastating hurricane, two powerful earthquakes, a volcanic eruption and two severe droughts. Finally, widespread emigration and endemic violence rooted in gang activity continue to affect Salvadoran society in profound ways.

Catholic Relief Services has been operating in El Salvador since 1960, working alongside the poor to address these problems and improve lives. In partnership with committed, like-minded local organizations, CRS El Salvador designs and carries out projects in three program areas: improving employment, natural resource management and human rights, and civil society development and peacebuilding.