|
All Hands on Deck for Citizen Security |
|
|
A total of 150 representatives from 13 countries participated in the second Citizen Security Week “Innovative People-Centered Solutions” in Panama, January 23-25. The conference, organized by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) with support from USAID through the Infosegura Project, provided space for Central American and Dominican ministers of justice and security or their designees to discuss and exchange insights, best practices, and lessons in citizen security, social cohesion, justice, and data management/sharing.
Panama was the host of the annual event, which was the culmination of a 10-year program designed to help Central America address citizen security through effective governance and inclusive development.
Attendees included U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission, John Barrett; former Costa Rica President, Laura Chinchilla; former Vice President of Colombia, Óscar Naranjo; former Vice President of Panama, Isabel de Saint Malo; USAID Regional Mission Director CAM Programs, Chris Cushing; ministers and vice ministers from Belize, Costa Rica, Panama, and the Dominican Republic; citizen security senior officials; UNDP representatives; as well as representatives from the academia, international organizations, private sector and civil society.
Since May 2014, InfoSegura has been working with national and local institutions and civil society organizations, improving the quality of data for decision-making and promoting multidimensional analysis and the effective incorporation of a gender approach in the information management cycle.
As a result, InfoSegura has accomplished:
- 7 National citizen security policies and strategies
- 8 Policies and laws on violence against women and girls
- 1 Municipal violence prevention policy
- 3 Policies for developing safe schools, road safety and open data policies
- Continued work with 15 institutions and training for 1,565 government functionaries, members of civil society and academia in the use of tools to enhance decision making.
InfoSegura’s digital tool development led to the creation of three platforms that facilitate access to information, including dashboards with citizen security information available on the new InfoSegura website.
Find all sessions, lectures and discussions in the InfoSegura YouTube channel.
|
|
 |
|
Trusted Operators Get Recognition
The USAID Regional Trade Facilitation and Border Management Project, in coordination with the El Salvador Exporters Corporation (COEXPORT), held a recognition event on January 16 to highlight and promote the support provided to companies to become Trusted Operators (TO). The General Directorate of Customs (DGA) grants the TO certification to companies complying with fiscal and security standards. This certification builds trust between DGA and the private sector, and companies benefit from simplified procedures and priority treatment when crossing borders.
USAID and COEXPORT have assisted 25 companies to improve their risk management processes and adopt international best practices for border crossing. This assistance has allowed the companies to meet the requirements to become TOs, and six companies are now certified. USAID is actively contributing to the competitiveness of Salvadoran companies to have greater access to international markets and boost regional economic growth.
|
|
|
 |
|
110 Salvadoran Women Graduate from Entrepreneurship Training
USAID Regional Mission Director CAM Programs Chris Cushing delivered diplomas to participants of the Digital Empowerment for Employability training program in Berlín, Usulután. The program’s next phase will feature more specialized business training, and the final phase will award small-seed capital for women to start a business.
The International Organization for Migration’s (IOM) subgrantee Business Foundation for Social Action (FUNDEMAS) implements the training program with support from the Salvadoran Foundation for Health and Human Development (FUSAL) and the Berlin Mayor’s Office. The main goal is to empower returned female migrants and other women at-risk of migrating to continue their personal and economic development in their country.
USAID and IOM support and strengthen stakeholders’ capacities to facilitate the sustainable reintegration of migrant returnees in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras; and assist migrants’ integration in Belize, Costa Rica, and Panama.
|
|
|
 |
|
Biocommerce as an Economic Alternative in Fisheries and Aquaculture
The Regional Coastal Biodiversity Project gave a presentation entitled "Biocommerce, an alternative for communities and ecosystems, achievements and results for Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador" in La Ceiba, Honduras, January 30-31, to share experiences and lessons learned in the implementation of the model.
This approach combines landscape management, best practices, governance, scientific evidence, and education to generate income for the well-being of communities and conservation of the biodiversity on which they depend.
The event brought together project participants who have developed biocommerce ventures in beekeeping, community tourism and artisanal or small-scale fishing; non-governmental organizations, donors; and regional, national and local authorities linked to the fisheries and environment sectors, as well as key players in the small-scale fishing chain, project partners and allies.
|
|
|
Feature Story
“Data Do Not Lie”
Learn about the experience of agent Disly Paz, Director of the Statistics Section of the National Civil Police of Guatemala, and the impact of the InfoSegura Project in the fulfillment of her duties.
From a young age, Disly Paz, native of the department of San Marcos, Guatemala, was attracted to the idea of becoming a police officer. Sixteen years ago she realized her dream by joining Guatemala's National Civil Police (PNC).
“I like working with data because they speak for themselves, they don't lie. They are a tool we can have at hand for operational and administrative decision-making,” said Agent Paz, who serves as Director of the Statistics Section.
|
|
Did You Know?
With a $3.5 million agreement, the USAID Central America and Mexico Regional Program and NASA are strengthening the region’s technical capacity to use remote sensing Earth observations for informed decision-making and supporting the establishment of a NASA SERVIR Central America hub in the near future. NASA SERVIR provides local decision-makers with the tools, training, and services they need to act on climate-sensitive issues like disasters, agricultural security, water management, and land use.
NASA SERVIR delivered training on urban vulnerability in coordination with the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources of El Salvador (MARN) February 7-9. Participants included representatives from MARN, the Planning Office of the Metropolitan Area of San Salvador, National Records Center, National University of El Salvador, and the USAID Office of Humanitarian Assistance. Experts associated with NASA SERVIR from Oregon State University and City University of New York participated as instructors.
Participants learned the combined use of satellite imagery with more traditional analysis methods, such as surveys and on-the-ground observations, to gain a deeper understanding of urban development and its impacts, as well as for risk assessment and management in urban areas. MARN noted that the growing importance of these tools is evident in a region prone to extreme hydrometeorological events, such as floods and landslides. Satellite information provides an enhanced view of vulnerable areas, allowing for risk identification. Calibration of hydrological and hydraulic models with geospatial data provides accurate estimates of the impact on infrastructure, enabling effective response planning.
|
|
|
|
|
