Over the next 18 months the European Union will be promoting a reforestation project in the Goascorán River Basin, along the Honduras-El Salvador border, which flows into the Pacific Ocean. The 250,000-dollar initiative will be carried out by the Honduran VIDA Foundation.

The foundation's director, Isaac Herrera, told Tierramérica that the project includes planting trees, environmental education, irrigation, and promoting farms that use environmentally friendly techniques.

Two weeks ago, the 6,000 residents of the basin suffered flooding from the river, which destroyed homes and crops, and killed one person.

Deforestation in the area is a serious problem, says Herrera, and merits prompt action “so that tragedies like this aren't repeated.”