A recent article in the Prensa Graphic , a national Salvadoran newspaper, confirms what local residents near the Bay of Jiquilisco, have known for a long time.  The water in the wells is toxic because of the cotton plantations of the past and the sugarcane plantations of the present. Salvadorans have witnessed friends and loved ones getting sick and dying from kidney related illnesses for years.  Now the local government is researching the possibility of declaring the Bay of Jiquilisco an environmental emergency zone.

Our partner organization in El Salvador, Mangrove Association, has been working for 14 years in this region to decrease the level of toxins negatively impacting the health of the community members. The Mangrove Association is working with local governments to draft laws that would restrict the use of the most toxic pesticides, especially those used by sugar cane plantations. Programs, like sustainable agriculture, healthy water projects and enforcement of environmental regulations, are examples of the long-term fight the Mangrove Association is waging against toxic waste. We want to thank our long-term supporters for recognizing this environmental disaster, even before the government of El Salvador, and offering your support for our partner’s environmental protection work!