General Programs

Strengthening Communities and Municipal Government for Disaster Mitigation in Jiquilisco and the Bajo Lempa Region

Jiquilisco, Usulután
El Salvador

CoCoDA's cooperation: Administration of $129,900 HUD Grant (2001)

Project calendar: November, 2000 - December, 2001

Project partner(s): U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

Associate organization managing the project: Salvadoran Foundation for Reconstruction and Development (REDES)

Strengthening Communities And Municipal Government For Disaster Mitigation In Jiquilisco And The Bajo Lempa Region Of Usulután, El Salvador was a $146,900 project with $129,900 funding from from the U.S. Department for Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Salvadoran Foundation for Reconstruction and Development (REDES) managed the project, and CoCoDA served as the U.S.-based administrative partner with HUD and REDES.

The project involved 30 rural communities (6,580 people - 1,555 families) located in eastern El Salvador, in the area southeast of the Lempa River known as the "Bajo Lempa" region, in the municipality of Jiquilisco, Usulután. Residents of these communities live in conditions of absolute poverty, with minimal productive capacity. They are living in a high-risk geographical area (homes, livestock and crops were lost in the floods caused by Hurricane Mitch in 1998, then again by floods in1999, then many homes and roads were damaged by the January 13, 2001 earthquake).

REDES used a methodology of participatory planning and implementation with residents of the communities, the Jiquilisco government, and other agencies in the region, to generate a system of resources and local capacities for disaster prevention and emergency response. Tools generated by the project included: A regional diagnostic and development plan; risk maps posted on signs in each community; prevention and early alert plans; a radio communications network; and a regional information center.

Development Fund Revolving Accounts

The financial cooperation in projects described in this report are managed through CoCoDA's Development Fund. A committee made up of CoCoDA Board and staff evaluate all project proposals prior to disbursing funds to a project and, once approved, written project agreements are established with the associate organization that will be managing the project in El Salvador.

CoCoDA has five Guiding Principles of Development which help us identify the types of projects we want to support:

local, democratic participation

community organizing

self-development

cultural expression and identity

economic, social and ecological sustainability

Most funding for CoCoDA cooperation in projects comes from community-based groups, organizations, individuals in the United States. To help manage commitments to projects and cash flow calendars, the Development Fund has a series of Revolving Accounts (one per program area) which help to back up commitments to projects and make sure that fund raising delays in the U.S. do not impede project implementation in El Salvador. We want to extend a special "thank you" to those groups and individuals who have contributed to our Development Fund revolving accounts, which make possible our effective cooperation in all projects:

Portage Area Coalition for Sanctuary (OH); Sally Yudelman; Jenny Browne & Scott Campbell (wedding guests in their honor); St. Paul Catholic Center (Bloomington, IN); River Road Unitarian Church Latin America Task Network (Bethesda, MD); Don & Polly Auchter (in honor of CoCoDA staff); Charm Seright (in honor of Haley Broughton's birthday); Libby Emison (alternative Christmas gift for family); Michael Snodgrass (alternative Christmas gift for family); Laura L. & James De Brular (in honor of Janet Lewis).