FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Friday, November 20, 2020
The Peace Corps Announces Return to El Salvador
WASHINGTON – The Peace Corps will reopen its program in El Salvador, Director Jody K. Olsen announced today.
“El Salvador and her people have been a cherished part of the Peace Corps family since our earliest days, and I am so pleased to share this good news as we begin commemorating our 60th anniversary,” said Director Olsen. “I want to thank our many community and government partners in El Salvador for their support and enthusiasm and the Peace Corps staff who worked diligently to lay the groundwork for this important decision. We look forward to opening a new Peace Corps office in San Salvador soon.”
More than 2,300 Peace Corps volunteers have worked on community and youth development projects throughout El Salvador since the program was established in 1962. The program was suspended in 2016 due to security concerns.
Peace Corps staff traveled to El Salvador in the fall of 2019 to meet with ministry officials and carry out assessments focused on safety and security, health, management and operations, and programming and training. They reported favorable results, including a commitment from the Ministry of Tourism to support volunteer projects around the country.
The Peace Corps is planning to send community economic development volunteers to El Salvador in 2022.
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About the Peace Corps: The Peace Corps sends Americans with a passion for service abroad on behalf of the United States to work with communities and create lasting change. Volunteers develop sustainable solutions to address challenges in education, health, community economic development, agriculture, the environment and youth development. Through their Peace Corps experience, volunteers gain a unique cultural understanding and a life-long commitment to service that positions them to succeed in today's global economy. Since President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps in 1961, more than 235,000 Americans of all ages have served in 141 countries worldwide. For more information, visit peacecorps.gov and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
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