El Salvador has a long history of violence, and over 700,000 people are now thought to need protection. These dangers, the threat of extreme weather events and persistent food insecurity have forced many families to leave their homes or even flee the country altogether.
NRC in El Salvador
Today, it’s estimated that nearly one million people – almost a fifth of the population of El Salvador – need humanitarian support. At the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), we’re doing everything we can to help them.
What’s happening in El Salvador?
El Salvador has historically had one of the highest crime rates in northern Central America. Although homicide rates have reduced in recent years, violence against women, girls and other vulnerable groups continues to drive people from their homes.
Many others flee disasters, especially now that climate change is increasing the frequency of extreme weather events. More than 88 per cent of El Salvador is considered a “risk zone”, prone to environmental hazards – and 95.4 per cent of the country’s population live within this area.
These conditions not only cause internal displacement but also force people to leave the country. In recent years, many Salvadorans have also returned after trying to build a life abroad, creating additional challenges for communities and support services that have faced significant funding cuts
Our response
We’re working with our partners in the following areas:
- Education: working with local partners to help vulnerable young people develop skills and gain work experience, supporting out-of-school children and youth at risk of dropping out to access education, and strengthening schools’ and teachers’ disaster preparedness.
Download the factsheet for NRC in North of Central America and Mexico
Our operations
NRC office established: 2014
Areas of operation: La Libertad, Santa Ana, San Salvador and La Paz
Country Director: Giorgio Lentini
Contact: nrc.ncaym@nrc.no
Our impact
In 2025, we assisted 7,660 people through our programmes in El Salvador:
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1,929Education
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70Livelihoods and food security
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2,546Protection from violence
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3,219Information, counselling and legal assistance
Note: some people received more than one type of assistance.
