News from Central America

Securing legal recognition for 1600 communities that are doing the government’s job

In a recent webinar Marc Mellin,  President of the Community Water District (Acueducto Comunal) of Concepción de Naranjo, discussed ongoing work to implement a legal framework to govern the activities of the Costa Rican Community Water Districts.

Challenges faced by the Community Water Districts of Costa Rica

Vanessa Dubois (FANCA) recently spoke with Marc Mellin (President of FANCA member organization) about the many challenges faced by the Community Water Districts of Costa Rica.

Update on activities from FAN Central America

Governance and Transparency Fund (GTF)

Cabinet approves Regional Strategy on Climate Change

The Council of Ministers of the Central American Commission on Environment and Development (CCAD), the environmental agency of the Central American Integration System (SICA), under the President Pro Tempore of Belize, approved the Regional Strategy on Climate Change (ER-CC) in XLVII Regular Meeting, held in Belize City on 10 and 11 November this year. In this way fulfills the mandate in the Declaration of the Summit of Presidents and Heads of State of the SICA countries held last July 20, 2010 in San Salvador.

FANCA Honduras celebrates its National Assembly

With the participation of more than 70 members of FANCA, representing the Water Boards, NGOs and environmental associations from all regions of Honduras, and in an atmosphere of great camaraderie, held the National Assembly of FANCA - Honduras, 21 and 22 November in Nacaome Department of Valle.

Rights competition winners announced

FANCA and BothEnds held this contest that seeks to highlight successful community experiences in the field of Human Right to Water.

Court rules "NO" to open mining in Crucitas

Campaigners in Costa Rica celebrated a historic vistory which saw a court ruling not only recognise the damage done so far by banning and penalising the Canadian multinational responsible but also saw open pit gold mining itself permanently banned from the country, making Costa Rica the first country to be free of this dangerous industry throughout the Americas.

La Ceiba hosts FANCA regional committee meeting

26 and November 27 was the second meeting of the Regional Committee of FANCA 2010 in La Ceiba, Honduras, which included participation of all National Focal Points, the FANCA Secretariat and special guest Danielle Morley, Executive Secretary of FAN global.

Hunger strike against mining reaches day 11

The hunger strike among a group of environmentalists against the Presidential Palace in Costa Rica to require the government to repeal a decree that would allow the construction of a mine in the Crucitas area, north of the country, reached day 11 today.

El Salvador: third most unequal country for access to water

El Salvador comes third in Latin America and the Caribbean of countries with the greatest inequality in access to water behind Peru and Nicaragua, according to the United Nations Programme for Development (UNDP).