This is a step forward. Much assistance for basic needs for the homeless is coming from NGOs and churches, who do not go through the COEN system, but make their own decisions about where to deliver aid. Another problem is that there are relatively limited amounts of basic food, water, and clothing packages. According to the Salvadoran government, more than 100,000 tons of supplies are needed every 72 hours to meet the needs of the homeless. There are, not surprisingly, concerns that foreign assistance both goods and money will come into the country and be stolen or misused.
Longer term needs Longer term reconstruction needs are only beginning to be defined.
The government has made some initial estimates of the cost of rebuilding housing, and of repairing roads. But details are not yet clear, and some elements such as a government plan for land use and zoning are not projected to be ready for two years. The Salvadoran government will need to present some plan at the Consultative Group meeting in March. It is important that a reconstruction plan be developed by the Salvadoran government in consultation with affected communities and civil society groups. Given time constraints, the plan that will be presented in March will not have been developed in that way.