Central America and Mexico (CAM) RDCS

USAID/E-CAM will address regional challenges that drive irregular migration from Central America to the United States, and will focus on advancing regional solutions and approaches.

The 2022-2027 Regional Development Cooperation Strategy (RDCS) of USAID/El Salvador - Central America and Mexico (E-CAM) Regional Mission articulates USAID’s regional responses to development challenges that drive irregular migration from Central America to the United States. Each year, hundreds of thousands of Central Americans leave their communities in search of better lives elsewhere. While migration trends vary significantly from one year to the next, the principal drivers of migration from Central America include a lack of economic opportunities, violence, poor governance and provision of public services, and vulnerability to climate shocks. Those who struggle with these challenges are also disproportionately affected by natural disasters or public health threats such as COVID-19 pandemic or HIV/AIDS, which continues to affect significant portions of certain vulnerable populations.

The goal of the RDCS is to reduce irregular migration from a Central America and Mexico region that is more prosperous, safe, and resilient. Regional programming will improve economic prosperity, governance and security, and environment and health across the region. Towards the goal of improving economic prosperity, regional priorities will expand trade, catalyze investment, and strengthen value chains. To advance democratic governance and security, USAID will improve the sharing of security information and best practices, strengthen prevention and response to human rights abuses, corruption, and will address the needs of displaced and moving populations. Finally, to strengthen resilience to environmental and health threats, regional priorities will advance climate change adaptation and mitigation, improve natural resource management, and strengthen regional capacity in the prevention, management, and treatment of transboundary diseases.

The RDCS lays the foundation for USAID’s presence in the region, and solidifies the commitment of the USAID Mission for Central America and Mexico to collaborate closely and enhance cooperation to strategically target the region’s most pressing development challenges. To this end, USAID will promote coordination and complementarity of regional program implementation with bilateral USAID missions in the region, other U.S. Government agencies, donors, civil society, and the private sector among others to advance the strategic objectives and improve both the lives and livelihoods of Central Americans and Mexicans.