La Cruzadilla Closing Remarks
July 20, 2005

Good morning, everyone. I am honored to be here with the President and all of you for this official closing of the earthquake reconstruction program. In the wake of the magnitude of that tragedy that El Salvador lived through, the government of the U.S. designated $170 million to help cover the needs of the country, and we are here to celebrate the success of what has been a joint effort.

Immediately after the earthquakes of 2001, the people of the U.S. reached out in solidarity with the people of El Salvador to provide with emergency and reconstruction assistance.

During the past four years, we have worked shoulder to shoulder with the Government of El Salvador, the municipalities, NGOs and private, contractors. Together, we supported rescue operations and the provision of temporary shelters and homes for thousands of affected families. We have now reconstructed 26,800 permanent dwellings with land titles in 110 municipalities of this country. We have also reconstructed schools, city halls, markets, health clinics, and water and sanitation systems that have benefited thousands and thousands of people.

In addition, we have supported activities with small businesses aimed to reactivate the economy and mitigate disasters at the local level.

In this community, we now see the happy faces of the families who now have a decent, secure home; a better school, and water and sanitation services. The contribution from USAID in this community was more than $3 million .

I would like to make special recognition of the intense and dedicated effort of our partners in reconstruction, FONAVIPO, FISDL, ILP, CARE, and REDES, who worked arduously with this community and many others. I congratulate the Salvadoran Government, the municipalities and the NGOs. But more than anything else, I congratulate the people of El Salvador.

Our countries share many common values – love of freedom, commitment to democracy, and hope for a better future. We have been partners in reconstruction and will continue being partners in development.

Thank you.