This briefing paper presents key findings of research into the challenges of protecting people displaced by disasters and how to improve disaster management in urban areas of El Salvador. Intended to support the Nansen Initiative, this study is part of a research project commissioned by the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) – entitled ‘Urbanisation, disasters and displacement in Central America and Southeast Asia’ – which combines a global desk study with country studies on El Salvador and the Philippines. It explores challenges related to protection of the displaced and disaster management in urban areas.