San Salvador – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of El Salvador and the UN Peace for the Post-Conflict Generation Programme today (17/04) launched a project that supports the productive reintegration and meets the psychosocial needs of returnees. The project is expected to directly benefit 70 economic initiatives in Guazapa and Mejicanos, in San Salvador department, as well as Quezaltepeque, in La Libertad.

The Peace for Post-Conflict Generation Programme is an initiative of the United Nations El Salvador, implemented by IOM, the UN Migration Agency, UNHCR and UNDP, and financed by the United Nation’s Peacebuilding Fund (PBF).

The component implemented by IOM will provide psychosocial support, specialized training and resources for migrants to develop their own entrepreneurial ventures.

According to official data, in 2017, the department of San Salvador received 3,988 returnees and La Libertad, 2,361. In the first two months of this year, San Salvador accounted for 559 and La Libertad, 308.

The official launch was attended by Liduvina Magarin, Deputy Minister for Salvadorans Abroad; Christian Salazar, United Nations Resident Coordinator in El Salvador; Jorge Peraza Breedy, IOM’s Chief of Mission for El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras; and Esmeralda Cruz, one of the project’s beneficiaries. Representatives from the diplomatic corps, cooperation agencies and government representatives also attended.

“Timely return migration management represents a social, economic and political challenge for the country. In this sense, this project is very important to ensure successful reintegration,” said Christian Salazar.

“The selected municipalities are part of cities with high rates of returns and, also, are prioritized by the El Salvador Seguro Plan in terms of violence prevention. Thus, we execute actions to offer opportunities to the Salvadoran returnees, which are vital to strengthen social cohesion and promote the country's development,” said Jorge Peraza.                  

The project contributes to the fulfilment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically those that address the promotion of resilience of people in vulnerable situations; the elimination of all forms of violence; the full and effective participation of women and equality of leadership opportunities; the promotion of policies aimed at the development of productive activities, creation of decent jobs, and entrepreneurship; and facilitation of orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility.

For further information, please contact:
IOM El Salvador – José Miguel Gómez, Email: miggomez@iom.int
IOM El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras – Alba Miriam Amaya, Email: aamaya@iom.int
UN Resident Coordinator's Office, El Salvador – Carlos León, Email: carlos.leon@one.un.org