Jan 12, 2012 - Soil erosion, water pollution and contamination of soils from the ... city.15 The Lempa River is also a p
Risk Mapping El Salvador Sector Disaster Risk Reduction & Emergency Aid
January 2012 Evelien Thieme Groen & Carolien Jacobs
Table of Contents
Fast Facts
3
Hazards Natural Hazards Floods Hurricanes Earthquakes Drought Landslides Volcanoes Environmental hazards Epidemics Tensions & Violence
3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 5
Vulnerability Indicators
5 5
Capacity Government Civil Society International Coordination Cordaid & Partners
6 6 6 7 7
Synthesis
8
Resources & Contacts
8
Appendix: hazard map El Salvador
2
Republic of El Salvador Fast Facts1 Capital: San Salvador (pop: 1,5 million)
Official languages: Spanish (official), Nahua
Population: 6,07 million
Climate: tropical on coast, temperate in uplands
Population Density: 288/sq. km
Pop. Affected by natural disasters
Administrative regions: 14 departments
(average/year/mln people): 9 437
Major ethnic groups: Mestizo 90%, white 9%,
World Risk Index: 10 (173)
Amerindian 1%
Cordaid sectors: DRR, UM
Major religion: Roman Catholic 57.1%, Protestant 21.2%, 16.8% none
Hazards Natural Hazards Floods Out of all the natural hazards in the country flooding occurs most often, yet the affects are less impacting, although not less significant, than other hazards. Only a small number percentage of the population is actually exposed to flooding.2 Flood season is form May until November.3 In the last years it seems like El Salvador is experiencing more flooding and their impacts are more significant. In midOctober 2011 almost 2 million people have been affected by the heavy rainfall, flooding and land slides in Central America due to a tropical depression. El Salvador declared a State of Emergency and requested international assistance. The regions of south central and south west were most affected.4 Hurricanes Storms occur often in El Salvador. Like flooding their impact is not as high as other hazards but they may leave significant economic damage and affect the lives of many people.5 Storms often result in other hazards such as floods, mudslides and landslides. In November 2009 the tropical storm Ida passed across the country affecting 90 thousand people and leaving extensive damage.6 Tropical storm season is from June to November.7 Keeping in mind the effects of climate change it is possible that these tropical storms might occur more often and intensify. Earthquakes Almost 20% of the population is exposed to earthquakes. Earthquakes do not occur as often as some of the other hazards mentioned. Nevertheless, their impact and effect is intense. They account for many deaths and affect hundreds of thousands of people. They also cause massive economic damage. The last large earthquake in 2001 killed over a thousand people and affected a million more. Looking at all the natural hazards combined earthquakes have the biggest impact and affect the most people. A little under 1% of the population is exposed to tsunamis.8
1
CIA Factbook (2011). El Salvador. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/es.html viewed on 31.10.2011. PreventionWeb (2010). El Salvador. http://www.preventionweb.net/english/countries/statistics/?cid=55 viewed on 11.10.2011. WFP (2011). Seasonal and Hazards Calendar. Emergency Preparedness and Response Branch. 4 ReliefWeb (2011). Tropical depression 12-E. http://reliefweb.int/taxonomy/term/9396 viewed on 11.01.2011. 5 PreventionWeb (2010). El Salvador. http://www.preventionweb.net/english/countries/statistics/?cid=55 viewed on 11.10.2011. 6 PreventionWeb (2010). El Salvador. http://www.preventionweb.net/english/countries/statistics/?cid=55 viewed on 11.10.2011. 7 WFP (2011). Seasonal and Hazards Calendar. Emergency Preparedness and Response Branch. 8 PreventionWeb (2010). El Salvador. http://www.preventionweb.net/english/countries/statistics/?cid=55 viewed on 11.10.2011. 2 3
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Drought Droughts affect a large number of people in El Salvador. About 2,5 % of the population is exposed to droughts.9 In 2001 a drought affected half a million people in the region. A lack of rainfall in June of that year resulted in the ruin of crops of subsistence farmers. About 80% of the crops were lost in the departments of San Miguel, Morazan, Usulutan and La Union.10 Central America is highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change and it will suffer more serious droughts and more intense hurricanes.11 Landslides Because El Salvador is based on a seismically active area landslides are also a hazard. They can be triggered by heavy rainfall but also by earthquakes. These landslides can affect many people’s lives and have severe economic damage.12 Landslides occur mostly from May to November.13 Volcanoes Even though volcanic eruptions do not occur very often they can have a significant effect. El Salvador is known as the Land of Volcanoes. The San Salvador (last erupted in 1917) may cause major harm to city of San Salvador which lies just below its slopes. Over a million people live in this city and the number of people affected by an eruption may be unimaginable. San Miguel (last erupted in 2002) is one of the most active volcanoes in the country; other active volcanoes include the Conchaguita (island in the east of the country), Ilopango (central, near San Salvador), Izalco and Santa Ana (Sonsonate).14 Environmental hazards El Salvador faces great issues of deforestation, only 7% of the country is still forest area. This causes land and mudslides during heavy rains. It also affects the sample of springs in the country, which has been reduced by 30%. Rural areas are thus finding it hard to access water, which is already scarce in the dry season. Soil erosion, water pollution and contamination of soils from the disposal of toxic wastes have put the country in a dangerous position. Water sources are diminishing, contaminated and siltation forms a threat. The water pollution in El Salvador is mostly due to lacking municipal wastewater management and treatment. An estimated 90% of the surface water is contaminated. Nearly all municipal and industrial wastewater is discharged into rivers without treatment any whatsoever. Pollution abatement is mostly needed in the basins of Rio Acelhuate and Rio Sucio which supplies a third of the water to the capital city.15 The Lempa River is also a pollution issue as it runs from Guatemala through Honduras to the ocean after crossing large parts of El Salvador. This lake is said to be polluted in these countries before it even reaches El Salvador. The government does not have the capacity to attend to this problem, they do not realise the threat this can be for the public in the future and do not know how to apply the needed solutions in practice.
Epidemics El Salvador experienced several epidemics in the past two decades. In total they have killed and affected a large number of people. This year it is reported that the dengue fever is prevalent in El Salvador and
9
PreventionWeb (2010). El Salvador. http://www.preventionweb.net/english/countries/statistics/?cid=55 viewed on 11.10.2011. ReliefWeb (2003). El Salvador. Central America Drought and Food Insecuity. Appeal 31/01 Final Report. http://reliefweb.int/node/127711 viewed on 01.11.2011. 11 Blue Channel 24 (2011). Climate Change will icrease droughts and hurricanes in Central America. http://www.bluechannel24.com/?p=6208 viewed 11.01.2011. 12 Rose, W.I., Bommer, J.J. and Sandoval,C. (2004). Natural hazards and risk mitigation in El Salvador: An introduction. Geological Society of America, special paper 375. http://www.geo.mtu.edu/~raman/papers/RoseGSASP.pdf viewed on 01.11.2011. 13 WFP (2011). Seasonal and Hazards Calendar. Emergency Preparedness and Response Branch. 14 CIA Factbook (2011). El Salvador. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/es.html viewed on 31.10.2011. 15 Wikipedia (2011). Water Supply and Sanitation in El Salvador. Water resources and pollution. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_supply_and_sanitation_in_El_Salvador viewed on 21.12.2011. 10
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there are about 800 now known.16 In later 2003 the country experienced an epidemic of pneumonia which affected more than 50,000 people and resulted in more than 300 losses of lives.17 The adult prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS is 0.8%.18 Tensions & Violence El Salvador has experienced years of civil war sparked by the huge inequalities between the rich and the poor. In 1992 a UN brokered peace agreement ended the civil war. The country has one of the highest crime rates and murder rates in the world. Violent gangs called ‘‘maras’’ are describes a huge problem in El Salvador, especially in major cities.19 Religious and ethnic cleavages in El Salvador are small, with a low risk that conflict will erupt here. On the other hand, society remains deeply divided by economic and social inequalities. Human rights observers have reported numerous instances of discrimination against the country’s poorest populations in a variety of spheres.
Vulnerability Indicators20 Human Development Index (out of 187)
105
Adult literacy rate (% aged >15)
84.1
GDP per capita (USD)
6020
Mean years of schooling (of adults)
7.5
Gini coefficient
46.9
Gender inequality index
0.49
Living below 1,25 (USD) a day (% pop)
5.1
Global hunger index (>20 alarming)
5.521
Life expectancy at birth (years)
72.2
Corruption perceptions index (10 = clean)
3.622
Infant mortality rate (per 1000 live births)
17
Poverty is a central component to vulnerability. The poor tend to live in areas which are more at risk such as hillsides and flood planes. In addition they tend to live in poor housing that is structurally unsound. Areas that are particularly vulnerable are coastal areas and the flood planes of rivers and mountainsides and slopes. The urban poor are also a vulnerable group, they live in the slum areas and informal settlements of these major cities mentioned above that are threatened by natural hazards, in poor housing without access to basic services and other resources. El Salvador is a very densely populated country. Many people live in the greater area of San Salvador and Nueva San Salvador which is located on the foothills of the San Salvador volcano; this can be a very large potential threat. Other densely populated areas can be found around San Miguel, Usulutan, Sonsonate, Ahuachapan, Santa Ana and La Union.23 One percent of the Salvadoran are indigenous people. The majority of the El Salvador indigenous population is Nahua-Pipil. They reside in the south-western region in the states of Sonsonate Ahuachapan, La Libertad, and Santa Ana. A
World Bank sponsored Social Assessment Study carried out in 2004
highlighted the stark inequalities experienced by the indigenous population. The study revealed that although half of the Salvadoran population living in the rural areas is poor, Salvadoran indigenous groups constitute the poorest segments. The municipalities with the highest presence of indigenous people are
16
ReliefWeb (2011). El Salvador Reportan la primera víctima de dengue hemorrágico del año en El Salvador. http://reliefweb.int/node/419538 viewed on 01.11.2011. Pan American Health Organisation (2003). Pneumonia in El Salvador http://www.paho.org/english/ad/dpc/cd/eid-eer-08-aug-2003.htm viewed on 01.11.2011. 18 CIA Factbook (2011). El Salvador. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/es.html viewed on 31.10.2011. 19 BBC News (2011). El Salvador Country Profile. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/country_profiles/1220684.stm viewed on 01.11.2011. 20 UNDP (2011) El Salvador http://hdrstats.undp.org/en/countries/profiles/SLV.html viewed on 04.11.2011. 21 IFPRI (2011). Global Hunger Index 2011. http://www.ifpri.org/sites/default/files/publications/ghi11.pdf viewed on 20.12.2011. 22 Transparency International (2010). Corruption Perceptions Index 2010. http://www.transparency.org/policy_research/surveys_indices/cpi/2010/results viewed on 20.12.2011. 23 Best Country Reports (2011). Population Density Map El Salvador. http://www.bestcountryreports.com/Population_Map_El%20Salvador.php viewed on 01.11.2011. 17
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among the poorest in the country. They lack most of the basic services with a consequent impact on family and environmental health, education and protection form threats such as natural hazards.24
Capacity Government The El Salvadorian state infrastructure and its powers extend beyond maintaining law and order. Yet deficits remain, particularly in rural areas, with regard to administrative structures. There is still corruption, inefficiency and a shallow democracy.25 In 2001 the government created the National Service for Territorial Studies (SNET), a technical entity to monitor hazards and risk in a systematic manner. Regarding disaster management, before 2005 El Salvador had a national emergency committee (COEN) instated to coordinate the governments overall response to disasters. They had a sound early warning system in place. The government organised assessments that had been the basis of national and international response. However, concerning recovery and reconstruction it was the international community that took the lead.26 In 2006 the civil protection act (of the mitigation and prevention of disasters) was instated by the government. It describes the aims that the state and civil society should study the risks and vulnerabilities and work to manage, mitigate and prepare for disasters and recovery. They envision the inclusion of all levels of government and society and the public and private sector. It is hope that they can move from response to prevention and that all Salvadorians may be able to help themselves and help others.27 There is a national coordination system, the Nation Bureau of Civil Protection and Disaster Prevention, which aims to manage emergency operations and implement contingency plans. At the top is the Interior Ministry, other ministries are involved as well who concern themselves with specific matters.28 There is also a delegates sector concerned with the municipal level. The planning groups assist the development, evaluation and monitoring of plans, projects and programs and budgets on risk management. Through the department of Education and Training they conduct civil protection training on the use and implementation procedures for prevention, mitigation and disaster management.29 FOPROMID is the established fund for emergency response. Few experts are optimistic about this system of disaster management, even though the law was needed. The office is understaffed and under resourced, it has centralising tendencies and the system is open to corruption and politicisation.30 Civil Society Civil society traditions in El Salvador are weak, but do exist. Civil society has grown in strength in the last ten years and has become more close-knit in recent years. However, interest representation remains skewed to the disadvantage of organizations with certain political or human rights agendas. This asymmetric representation of interests is mainly caused by continued resistance by state authorities. Civic organizations are rarely involved in the government policy processes. In fact, the government prefers to work with the business sector rather than NGOs in its negotiations. Moreover, instead of attempting to
24
MRG (2005). El Salvador. Indigenous Peoples. http://www.minorityrights.org/4180/el-salvador/indigenous-peoples.html viewed 12.01.2012. Bertelsmann Stiftung, BTI (2009) El Salvador Country Report. Gutersloh: Bertelsman Stiftung. http://www.bertelsmann-transformationindex.de/102.0.html viewed on 04.11.2011. 26 Weiss Fagen, P. (2008). El Salvador: a case study in the role of the affected state in humanitarian action. HPG working paper. http://www.odi.org.uk/resources/download/1214.pdf viewed on 04.11.2011. 27 Plan Nacional de Proteccion Civil (2009). http://www.proteccioncivil.gob.sv/zonadescargas/Plan%20Nacional%20de%20Protecci%f3n%20Civil%20%20Junio%202009.pdf viewed on 04.11.2011. 28 Weiss Fagen, P. (2008). El Salvador: a case study in the role of the affected state in humanitarian action. HPG working paper. http://www.odi.org.uk/resources/download/1214.pdf viewed on 04.11.2011. 29 Proteccion Civil (2011). http://www.proteccioncivil.gob.sv/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=198&Itemid=103 viewed on 04.11.2011. 30 Weiss Fagen, P. (2008). El Salvador: a case study in the role of the affected state in humanitarian action. HPG working paper. http://www.odi.org.uk/resources/download/1214.pdf viewed on 04.11.2011. 25
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overcome the polarization between left- and right-wing groups in El Salvador’s civil society, the government has fuelled the distrust between them.31 Regarding DRR and environmental law, the civil society sees the implementation coming in the future. There is much information available about these issues with the civil society and they have strong networks, especially when it comes to water management.32 International Coordination Coordination and collaboration between the international and national level varies between sectors. Health and education is very strong. Civil Protection is seen as well-intentioned and serious, but weak. This gives donors reason to continue to determine the priorities for assistance. International agencies have brought their disaster operations together in a UN Disaster Management Team tied to a Technical Team for Emergencies (UNETE), led by the World Food Programme; it includes UNDP, UNICEF, FAO, ILO, UNOPS, PAHO and UNFPA.33 Cordaid & Partners Sector DRR Name and kind of org. UNES (Unidad Ecológica Salvadoreña)
Geo location
Core business
Strategy
turnover
staff
Ahuachapán en Sonsonate, Cordillera del Bálsamo, depot. La Libertad)
Politieke lobby, beleidsbeïnvloeding en actievoeren, netwerking Foro del Agua en Milieu Alliantie
>500,00 0
>50
ACUA (Asociación Comunitaria por el Agua y la Agricultura) ASPRODE, Asesoría a Programas y Proyectos de Desarrollo)
Sonsonate, Libertad, Cordillera del Bálsamo, Sur) Centraal Amerika
Milieu, DRR en CMDRR, natuurbehoud, organische landbouw, herbebossing (mangrove en ontzilting met Eucalyptus) Milieu, CMDRR, natuurbehoud en organischce landbouw
Locale organisatievorming en CMDRR, Foro del Agua en Milieu Alliantie
>500,00 0
>50
Kennis instituut Community Managed Disaster Risk Reduction met gebruik van video
100,000 500,000
10-50 (incl. train ers)
Caritas Chalatenango
Bisdom Chalatenango, noord-westen van het land
CMDRR, vervuiling milieu, water, droogte, mijnbouw en (organische) landbouw
>500,00 0
>50
Foro del Agua (COC)
El Salvador
DRR, milieu, water, droogte, vervuiling, mijnbouw, industrie en (organische) landbouw
Inzet Pool of Trainers in CMDRR regionaal onderzoek en conferenties ism UNES, beleidsbeïnvloeding in de COC Foro del Agua, planning en monitoring programma’s Mainstreaming CMDRR in alle programma’s, gemeenschapsorganisatie en – actie, beleidsbeïnvloeding nationale en regionale Caritassen en milieufederatie Community of Change Newerk, beleidsbeïnvloeding en voorstellen water wetgeving
>500,00 0
>50
31
Bertelsmann Stiftung, BTI (2009) El Salvador Country Report. Gutersloh: Bertelsman Stiftung. http://www.bertelsmann-transformationindex.de/102.0.html viewed on 04.11.2011. 32 Alliantie Samen voor Verandering (n.d.)Communities of Change. MFSII. Contextanalyse El Salvador (bijlage 2.08). 33 Weiss Fagen, P. (2008). El Salvador: a case study in the role of the affected state in humanitarian action. HPG working paper. http://www.odi.org.uk/resources/download/1214.pdf viewed on 04.11.2011.
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Sector: Urban Matters Name and kind Geo location of org. Fundasal San Salvador, La Paz Procomes
San Salvador
Core business
Strategy
turnover
staff
Slums upgrading, DRR
Enforcement community through skills, prevention DR Prevention Drr, recycling, environment
100.000 500.000 100.000 500.000
>50
Recycling, DRR
>50
Synthesis El Salvador faces multiple disasters. It has a very high exposure. The following points illustrate the main risks in this country based on hazards, vulnerability (as population exposed) and history. -
As a possible scenario we can expect droughts in the east leaving many people food insecure, up to one million people, as we have seen in the past.
-
A more dramatic scenario would be a major earthquake or a volcanic eruption in the urban areas, for example in the very densely populated metropolitan areas of San Salvador situated in an earthquake prone area and between two active volcanoes. More than 60% of Salvadorians live in urban areas. 20% of the population is exposed to earthquakes which is well over 1 million people.
-
In the past we have also seen some severe tropical storms with consequential flooding and mudslides. These events can affect tens of thousands to up to 300 thousand people. The most at risk time of year for these storms is between June and November.
Resources & Contacts National Bureau of Civil Protection: http://proteccioncivil.gob.sv/ Jeannette Hamersma, DRR Cordaid HQ:
[email protected]
8
