LATIN AMERICA &THE CARIBBEANS
	UNESCO works in the fields of school rehabilitation and construction, furniture production and provision of educational materials and equipment for all levels of education, in countries all over the world.

 

UNESCO has gained considerable experience working in countries where conflict or natural disaster have severely disrupted educational services and facilities and, in particular, in Bolivia, Ecuador, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, Salvador and Venezuela. UNESCO step up its action in this field in co-operation with the other organizations in the United Nations system, non-governmental organizations and other UNESCO partners in the field. This action must not only meet immediate educational needs but also, whenever possible, help to ease the transition phase following the wars which have destabilized, disorganized or even destroyed the education system. ----- Photo Credit @ Loock, F., UNESCO 1994 Refugees from Chacula, Guatemala

Bolivia The country is mostly inhabited by its native population. Bolivia is one of the poorest countries in the South America (70 % of inhabitants live under the poverty line). In addition to its structural weaknesses (size of the debt, feeble pace of growth for poverty reduction, dependance on exterior aid) Bolivia has suffered from the unfavorable regional conditions. The new government elected in 2002 must face strong social resistance towards the establishment of its programme. Ecuador After five years of a political unstable situation demonstrated by the fall of two successive governments, Ecuador is hoping that the new government elected in November 2002 will relaunch the economy of the country. For several years the economy of Ecuador has been plounging deeply into an unprecented crisis although some improvements have taken place since 2002. The migration to foreign countries is intensive as well as the social discontent. Haïti Undermined by dictatorship and repeated coups d’Etat, the Republic of Haiti is presently experiencing an extremely difficult situation : more than three quarters of the population are dependent on welfare ; crime is constantly rising, the State is increasingly dependent on international aid including for the fonctionning of basic public services. The present government strives by all means to make the country function again. The task is enormous regarding all the challenges that it has to face. Honduras In contrast to its neighbours, Honduras did not experience major internal conflict during the last decades. The country did not manage to profit from it and 70% of the population is still under the poverty line. Natural disasters, the El Nino phenomenon, Mitch hurricane and draught represent an important obstacle for the development process of the country. Soon Honduras will attain the group of HIPC (Heavily Indebted Poor Countries) and thus an important reduction of its debt will take place. Nicaragua Economically ruined by the civil war which has been holding sway for several decades, Nicaragua is presently one of the poorest countries of Latin America (GDP per capita inferior to 500 US$). The present government established in 1999 is striving to relaunch the economic and administrative reforms as well as the fight against corruption. The government is also striving to make the country more attractive to foreign investments but its manoever room is still rather small. Salvador Following the end of armed conflict (1990) Salvador has been engaged in a process of liberal economic reforms leaving very small room for manoeuvering for social expenditures. The country is moreover facing frequent natural disasters (Mitch in 1998, earthquakes in 2001) and raising delinquency. Salvador is continuing its process of regional integration in order to attract foreign investments. Venezuela Emergency educational assistance following Mitch hurricane