To assess the effectiveness of USAID’s community-based crime and violence prevention programs in Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Panama, Vanderbilt University’s Latin American Public Opinion Project launched a three-year impact evaluation.

The randomized control trial compared at-risk neighborhoods with USAID’s prevention programs to similar neighborhoods without a USAID or other donor presence.  The evaluation comprehensively gauged perceptions over time of crime victimization and citizen security. 

Through the Central America Regional Security Initiative (CARSI), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) builds resilience to insecurity in high-crime, urban communities by improving access to public services, jobs, and justice.

Press Release - Study Affirms Impact of USAID Prevention Approach to Crime and Violence in Central America

Comunicado de Prensa - Estudio confirma el impacto del enfoque de USAID en la prevención del crimen y la violencia en Centroamérica

Two Page Factsheet - Vanderbilt University Examines Impact of USAID's Crime & Violence Prevention Efforts in Central America

Final Report - Impact Evaluation of USAID's Community-Based Crime and Violence Prevention Approach in Central America: Regional Report for El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Panama

Informe Final - Evaluación de impacto de la estrategia basada en la comunidad de USAID para la prevención de la delincuencia y la violencia en América Central: Informe regional para El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras y Panamá