Source: El Paso Times

By: By Cindy Ramirez

Senior officials with the Rockefeller Foundation's 100 Resilient Cities program are visiting El Paso and Juárez this week after recognizing El Paso city leaders during Tuesday's City Council meeting.

The cities have been recognized by the foundation under its Resilient Cities program for their ability to function in the face of challenging circumstances and to recover from social or economic disruptions, according to the foundation's website. These include high unemployment, endemic violence or chronic food and water shortages.

The program's Chief Operating Officer Andrew Salkin recognized Mayor Oscar Leeser, council members and other city leaders for their "ongoing efforts in resilience and sustainability," a city news release stated.

Cities selected for the program are provided funding and logistical assistance to create a new position — a chief resilience officer — to lead the resilience efforts. Networking with other cities also is provided, as well as connections to private, public and nonprofit sectors that can help the cities move forward, the foundation states.