First aid exercise in El Salvador. Photo: LWF Central America
LWF helps Central American communities prepare for disaster
(LWI) In one of the world’s most climate-affected regions, the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) is working with local communities to prepare for disasters before they strike.
The Dry Corridor stretches from southern Mexico through Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua. In Honduras, it includes Choluteca and neighboring departments areas where drought, erratic rainfall, and fragile soils combine with poverty and weak infrastructure to make communities especially vulnerable.
Protecting local communities
LWF has been active in Central America since 1983, helping vulnerable communities cope with natural disasters and irregular migration. In Honduras, together with the Christian Lutheran Church, LWF supports subsistence farmers adapting to climate change, advocates for human rights, and strengthens early warning systems for floods and hurricanes.
“Our commitment goes beyond assistance; it’s about building local resilience. By strengthening the capacities of our staff, municipalities, and partners, we invest in the safety and autonomous recovery of vulnerable communities in Choluteca,” said Carlos Rivera, LWF Honduras Coordinator.
By strengthening the capacities of our staff, municipalities, and partners, we invest in the safety and autonomous recovery of vulnerable communities in Choluteca.
Carlos Rivera , LWF Honduras Coordinator
In August, LWF organized a disaster risk management training in Choluteca, one of the regions most prone to emergencies in Honduras, in partnership with COPECO, the Permanent Contingency Commission. Fifteen participants from municipalities, communities, and local organizations graduated after hands on training in risk assessment, fire prevention, first aid, and emergency simulations. From the Central America Program, this action is part of a comprehensive vision of working with duty bearers in Honduras and El Salvador, aimed at strengthening their capacities not only in humanitarian assistance, but also in climate resilience, community cohesion, and advocacy for risk reduction.
LWF Central America Country Representative Martin Ruppenthal signs a partnership agreement with COPECO in Honduras. Photo: LWF Central America
LWF staff explains an ecercise to a group of workshop participants. Photo: LWF Central America
In neighboring El Salvador, LWF works with Civil Protection to strengthen Urban Search and Rescue groups. In September, a cooperation agreement with the municipality of Morazán South set the stage for joint work on disaster preparedness, humanitarian assistance, climate-resilient livelihoods, and community cohesion.
“Resilience cannot be built by outsiders,” says Martin Ruppenthal, LWF Country Representative in Central America. “It grows when local communities, churches, and authorities come together. Through the work of the LWF in Honduras and El Salvador, we see that when communities lead and partners stand beside them, disaster preparedness becomes not only a strategy, but also a promise of safety and hope.”
