Water as a Human Right in El Salvador

Afri Co-ordinator, Joe Murray, visited El Salvador and Guatemala in January 2007 to meet some of the amazing groups and individuals who are tackling the many causes of inequality and injustice there.

During his visit to El Salvador he came into contact with the Programme of Human Promotion and Sustainable Development (PHPSD) in Santa Rosa de Lima: among other things, they are addressing the critical issue of water, which has been a major cause of premature death and serious illness in the area.

In the majority of rural communities in El Salvador, people often have to walk miles to access contaminated streams to fetch water for domestic use. During the dry season the problem is exacerbated by deforestation causing the streams and the wells to dry up.