Social Analysis of El Salvador

So we just got out of class with the head of Catholic Relief Services in El Salvador. I have learned so much about the greater social realities in just 2 hours. I would like to share some of these realities with all of you back home.

There are certain areas in the country that flood every year because the government will not build dikes. The funds are available from an international institution but will not be allowed because the area is predominately FMLN.

All the rivers and most of the underground water supplies in the country are contaminated.

Out of 100,000 births 174 mothers die from complications

there are 16,000 people reported with HIV/AIDS but it´s more like 32,000

40% of the country lives on less than $2 a day

Banco Cuscatlan, the biggest bank in the country doesn´t pay taxes and there are no property taxes in the country

1.5-2 million Salvadorans live in the USA and every year $3 BILLION are sent to El Salvador in remitences, which is larger than all international aid combined.

El Salvador is the second most violent country in the world next to Iraq, and the most violent peace time country in the world.

It is common for police to pick up kids who look like gang members, take them to a field, and kill them without trial.

48% of the wealth is held by 6-8 families

only 7 of 100 homicides go before a judge

Just some facts to chew on, because I sure am. wow.