This Mission was established on 20 May 1991 to monitor all agreements between the Government of El Salvador and Frente Farabundo Marti para la Liberacion Nacional (FMLN). This Mission was subsequently expanded in January 1992 to assume the verification of all aspects of the cease-fire and separation of forces and the agreement on the National Civil Police which saw ONUSAL monitoring the maintenance of public order during the transitional period while a new National Civil Police was set up. Upon completion of the task, the Mission was terminated in April 1995.
A medal was established in January 1992 for which 90 days of service is required for qualification. The medal has five equal bars, the centre being white, flanked by dark blue, and, at either end, by UN blue. The dark blue and white represent the national flag of El Salvador.
The countries of Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, India, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Spain, Sweden and Venezuela contributed military observers to this Mission, with Austria, Spain, Mexico, Norway, France, Uruguay and the United States of America providing civilian police observers.