May
Human Rights
PROVIDA responds to State’s accusations
PRO-VIDA is a humanitarian organization that has done tremendous work in several places of El Salvador, especially when it comes to water and sanitation. They have also supported our network providing analysis of the reality on the ground, especially in rural areas.
As we reported in our previous post, the new legislative assembly has stated that they are going to analyze the situation of the NGOs that have been receiving funds from the State. After receiving attacks on social media, PROVIDA has released a statement in which they clarify their position:
PRO-VIDA not only works with funds coming from the Ministry of Health (MINSAL), but also from international cooperation, both funds allow us to accompany communities with four institutional programs: Comprehensive Health, Risk Management and Resilience to Climate Change, Territorial Development and Institutional Strengthening.
The funds received from both the government and international donors are invested with as much transparency as possible. At no time have the funds been delivered to other instances as officials from the Executive branch and the legislative assembly assert in their publications. We have all the documentation that demonstates the investment in communities, audits from the Ministry of Health, the Court of Accounts of El Salvador and especially testimonies of the people who have been supported with these funds.
In conclusion:
1. Receiving funds from the State to improve the living conditions of the most vulnerable people in rural and peri-urban communities is not a crime, it is a legal way to strengthen work to reach populations where the presence of the State is limited.
2. The fund received from the General Budget of the Nation is completely legal since it is governed by agreements signed between the Ministry of Health and PRO-VIDA
3. We invite you to visit our website where the work carried out is published daily and visit our transparency section that contains reports and audits.
4. We ask international cooperation and our friends, to denounce acts that violate human rights and defamation of our institution.
5. We demand that State officials be more responsible with their statements and avoid damaging the institutional image that we have built over the years.
6. We reaffirm our commitment to continue accompanying the most vulnerable communities.
