ABSTRACT
This chapter examines some aspects of non government organisation (NGO) coordination in El Salvador and Guatemala while taking into account the various roles of government, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), grassroots organisations and churches. The concept of humanitarian space was a much-used term in Central America and has been explored in detail elsewhere. Many went into exile and continued their support from Mexico or elsewhere. The signing of the Esquipulas II accords and the CIREFCA process changed the balance within the region. A flurry of activity followed nationally and regionally. From the early 1980s, international agencies had been concerned at the levels of suffering in Central America. A major 1991 study of forced migrations in Central America found that Mexico, Costa Rica and Honduras were the most important recipients, although all countries, including those expelling people, accepted refugee populations.
