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COUNTRY PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The Central American region is made up of 6 countries with a population of more than 47 million people. It has growing population density well above the Latin American average, a large rural population, and high levels of social exclusion and inequity. Income inequality is a significant issue; for example, official reports indicate that the wealthiest 10% of families in Panama earned 37.3 times more income than the poorest 10% of families. Gender inequality is also prevalent in this region. Historically, the region has been affected by natural disasters, global economic crises, armed conflicts and, over the last decade, an increase in violence, migration and sociopolitical crises.
Each National Society (NS) in this region is working towards addressing these issues with a targeted, people-centered approach.
The Costa Rican Red Cross supports programs in disaster risk reduction (DRR), climate adaptation, social inclusion, migration, and disaster management (DM). The quality of its management structure offers opportunities to consolidate regional strategies and support other National Societies.
In El Salvador, the National Society looks to implement programs in DRR, health, and water, sanitation, & hygiene (WASH). Due to the level of violence and instability in the country, the social inclusion program has been very important in raising awareness to prevent violence. Initiatives for the security and safety of volunteers, branch development, leadership strengthening and sustainability support have also been important.
The Guatemalan Red Cross has implemented key actions in DRR & DM, emergency health, WASH, climate change, social inclusion, violence prevention and migration.
In Honduras, the National Society has made important efforts to strengthen its leadership and expand its programmatic portfolio, as this country has one of the highest levels of poverty in the Northern Triangle.
The Panamanian Red Cross currently provides ambulance services and first aid, community-based disaster preparedness, relief, search and rescue, restoring family links, promotion for blood donation, child care, and nursing homes.
All National Societies in the Northern Triangle of Central America receive technical and financial support from the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and various Partner National Societies (PNS), including the America, Canadian, Italian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish and Swiss Red Cross Societies, among others.