Key challenges

Flooding of homes is widespread across El Salvador following Hurricane Stan [Caritas El Salvador]

In the aftermath of natural disasters such as earthquakes, droughts and hurricanes, agriculture is still struggling

Many farmers have moved to cities looking for work. With few employment opportunities, violence levels are high, especially among young people.

Natural disasters: El Salvador is vulnerable to many types of natural disaster including earthquakes, hurricanes and droughts.

The country was badly hit by Hurricane Mitch in 1998 and again by a series of earthquakes in 2001.

Agriculture in crisis: Historically, agriculture was the basis of El Salvador’s economy. Nowadays, the agricultural sector is in crisis, following years of under-investment, natural disasters, and a fall in the international price of cash crops such as coffee and sugar.

Violence: Levels of violence remain high, particularly among young people who have few opportunities for employment and are drawn into local gangs.

Poor working conditions: Many farming families, unable to make a living from the land, end up as street vendors in San Salvador. Others work in textile factories, where wages are low and working conditions poor.