Intervida El Salvador is recognized for its sustainable environmental management projects
Madrid (24/06/2008). Last Friday, INTERVIDA El Salvador received an award in recognition of the institution’s efforts to protect the environment. This award is included in the Organization category of “IX National Laurel for Environmental Protection” of the Environmental Fund of El Salvador (FONAES), an independent entity of the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources.
Nowadays, it is essential that efforts towards the development of communities and countries consider the environmental impact of the same. Not in vain, one of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals indicates the need to guarantee environmental sustainability. To do this, natural resources (land, water, forests, etc.) should be used and protected accordingly.
A country affected by various environmental problems, it is estimated that El Salvador generates more than 2,300 tons of solid waste a day and that only 69% of its municipalities have garbage-collection services, according to the last National Report on the Environment (2002). This report also shows that more than 50% of the land is inappropriately used , some 4,500 hectares of land are deforested each year, 70% of the activities which generate sewage do not have corresponding treatment, and more than half of the rural population do not have access to drinking water or sanitation systems.
To reduce the abovementioned needs, INTERVIDA runs the “Sustainable Environmental Management” and “Community Development” development programs in the Departments of La Paz, San Vicente, Usulután, La Libertad and Morazán. One of the main components of the program includes environmental education and awareness, which is aimed at developing conscientiousness, skills and abilities which can positively influence environmental aspects in both the schools and the communities. The organization also supports the communities and the municipal governments in conducting diagnostic studies on the state of the water basins, and in carrying out projects aimed at solving the problems detected. Lastly, efforts to promote the use of renewable energy sources is worthy of mention.
About INTERVIDA
FUNDACIÓN INTERVIDA is a nonpartisan, nondenominational and independent development NGO in special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. Its objective is to contribute to sustainable human development towards improving the living conditions of the most disadvantaged communities. Currently, INTERVIDA is active in several countries in Latin America, Africa and Asia, offering its support to nearly five million people.
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