El Salvador | Drought - Early Action Protocol Activation, 18 May 2026 (EAP2024SV01/MDRSV017)

Country: El Salvador

Source: International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Please refer to the attached file.

EARLY ACTION PROTOCOL ACTIVATION
Activation Overview

The Salvadoran Red Cross has activated its Early Action Protocol for drought.

Based on the monitoring and technical analysis conducted by the General Directorate of the Environmental Observatory (DGOA), the Early Action Protocol (EAP) for drought is activated due to the fulfilment of the two triggers established in the approved protocol.

The activation is based on the following technical criteria:

• First trigger, The DGOA has reported the presence of conditions associated with the El Niño phenomenon in the Niño 3.4 region for the next three to four months, with a probability equal to or greater than 60%, according to the official forecast issued by the IRI-CPC as of January. Reached on 14 April 2026.

• Second trigger, Likewise, the DGOA has issued the quarterly climate outlook indicating that accumulated rainfall for the May-June-July period will be below normal (33rd percentile), significantly increasing the risk of impacts due to water deficit in the prioritized areas. Reached it on 4 May 2026.

Based on the overlay of the EAP risk layer and the areas with below-normal precipitation deficit outlooks issued in the climate outlook, the departments at highest risk are Usulután, San Miguel, Morazan and La Union. Therefore, initial engagement is expected to be carried out in the departments of Morazan and La Union. The planned implementation period is three months following approval of the activation.

On this basis, the Early Action Protocol is officially activated with the objective of implementing anticipatory actions aimed at reducing humanitarian impacts on the most vulnerable populations, particularly in food security, livelihoods, access to water and protection.

Early action targeting: The planned actions will be implemented in coordination with national authorities, humanitarian actors and prioritized communities, in accordance with the operational procedures and coordination mechanisms established in the EAP, targeting the most vulnerable families who could be most affected by this phenomenon. ...