Six months after the earthquakes in El Salvador there are still profound needs for the people affected by the natural disasters.

This integral program aims to reduce the social and economic vulnerability of inhabitants of the region of La Libertad badly affected by the quakes. The foundation of this project is to develop the ability of local people, especially women, to recuperate from disasters using sustainable economic, environmental and organic techniques.

This project will introduce long-term sustainable agricultural and ecological practices in the following ways:
1. by strengthening organic food production,
2. by the building of 40 composting toilets,
3. by installing 40 rainwater tanks,
4. by installing 40 water filters,
5. by constructing 40 biophysical filters for the     recycling of sewer water for irrigation,
6. by constructing 40 cement wash-basins for     domestic washing, and
7. by constructing 40 energy-efficient kitchens.

As well, to support the food production needs of the peasant families, the following will be developed:
1. 40 family vegetable gardens,
2. 40 solar dryers, and
3. 2.5 hectares of Gliricidia sepiums trees to assist     in the reforestation of the area.

Throughout the project, women will be trained using participatory methodology in sound marketing practices to promote their economic self-sufficiency via the sale of their organic dry produce.

While strengthening women economically, this project will also contribute to the advancement of economic activities that incorporate environmental concerns. In fact, the project's beneficiaries will create their own productive activities based on a vision of protecting and improving the environment.

The project also includes funding of activities and providing resources to ensure the transfer of appropriate technology to producers, especially in the area of organic farming. Specifically, this will cover technical personnel, training, and logistics.

Partner Organization

Foundation for Cooperation and Community Development of El Salvador (CORDES)

CORDES is a non-profit institution that promotes economic and social development in El Salvador's rural communities. The communities are made up of mostly repatriated, displaced, repopulated and demobilised families. CORDES has five programs: the Agricultural Program, the Financing Program, the Commercial Program, the Institutional Strengthening Program, and the Emergency Program.

The agricultural program is of one of the main programs of CORDES. In the last years, CORDES has been assisting small farmers in the production of basic grains, in agricultural and forest diversification, and in promoting organic farming techniques in order to contribute to sustainable agriculture. Other agricultural activities supported by CORDES include cattle improving, poultry farming, bee keeping, and fostering agro-industrial initiatives.

CORDES goals are to: increase rural people's technical-administrative knowledge; to provide access to financial resources through credit and subsidies; to provide access to markets and marketing channels, and to generally strengthen the economic and social organisation of rural communities.

SalvAide and CORDES have worked together for over eleven years in the design and delivery of development programs with rural communities of El Salvador. Our long history of partnership throughout adverse conditions of civil war has resulted in a high level of mutual understanding, respect, and trust.

The Board of Directors of CORDES is made up of citizens of the rural communities that CORDES serves. The Board's commitment to social development is also reflected through CORDES personnel.