Attachments
Overview
In 2022, El Salvador faced the prolonged socioeconomic impacts of COVID-19 climatic shocks linked to the La Niña phenomenon that affected the region with above average rainfall [1] along with the Tropical Storm Julia that hit the country in October. Moreover, the Ukraine crisis affected the global food system with repercussions on food, fuel and fertiliser prices, negatively impacting access to food for Salvadorans. Families experienced a reduction in basic grain stocks and an increase in the cost of the basic food basket in rural and urban areas (a 20 and 13 percent increase respectively over the previous year), exacerbating the situation of 907,000 acutely food insecure people (14 percent of the population) [2].
Against this backdrop, WFP started the implementation of its new Country Strategic Plan (CSP) 2022-2027 in July 2022 in a joint effort with the Government, United Nations agencies, non-governmental organizations and academic institutions [3]. This Annual Country Report covers the initial six months of that CSP. The new strategic outcomes focus on strengthening food systems, promoting employment opportunities, improving nutrition and providing timely humanitarian assistance. Altogether, these efforts align with Sustainable Development Goal 2 (Zero Hunger) and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), successfully contributing to changing lives and saving lives in El Salvador.
During the reporting period, WFP assisted food-insecure populations (61,839 people, 53 percent women and girls) through integrated emergency responses that address immediate humanitarian needs and incorporate early recovery actions [4] while contributing to raising awareness on nutrition and gender equality. Financial requirements for crisis response were covered at 96 percent, allowing WFP to reach 20 percent more beneficiaries than planned through emergency food assistance during the second half of 2022. This included 4,880 people affected by Tropical Storm Julia.
Under its youth vocational training programme, WFP reached 100 youth (53 percent women) from precarious urban settlements at high risk of becoming victims of violence. Overall, in 2022, WFP increased youth beneficiaries by 67 percent compared to 2021 through gastronomy and digital skills certifications. Young people received technical training and benefited from job placement in the private sector. WFP assisted the Government to launch two additional youth vocational trainings that will benefit young people in two new departments in the west and east of the country.
WFP also improved market access for producers by strengthening their organizations' capacities and ability to do business in staple grain trading, wild honey, and gastronomy. WFP assisted 153 subsistence smallholder farmers to boost their revenues by selling 120 mt of sorghum in formal markets, improving their livelihoods and food security.
Likewise, WFP supported 21 small businesses led by women, strengthening their capacities in marketing and associative mechanisms. This initiative increased their economic independence through more robust and sustainable business management and access to insurance and financial services, thereby contributing to empowerment.
WFP strengthened the capacities of the Government and the humanitarian community by providing evidence that contributed to informed decision-making through (i) analysis of the food security situation using the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification; (ii) emergency food security assessment (72 hours) after the impact of tropical storm Julia;
(iii) market assessment and price monitoring; (iv) publication of baseline results of the "Impact Evaluation of Cash-Based Transfers on Food Security and Gender Equality in El Salvador" [5]; (v) the National Food Security Assessment; (vi) study to assess students' perception on Biofortik [6].
Moreover, WFP supported the Ministry of Education in enhancing the School Feeding and Health Programme by conducting the baseline survey for the new results framework [7], improving its supply chain and launching the pilot of "Kitchen-in-a-Box", an innovative project that aims to equip schools with easy-to-establish kitchens.
Furthermore, WFP contributed to early child development, raising awareness through social media channels on the importance of breastfeeding. This initiative contributed to malnutrition prevention in alignment with the "Grow together" policy launched by the Government [8].
Overall, WFP increased its footprint by expanding activities, operations, and investments by injecting USD 4.7 million into the local economy through cash-based transfers.