At a glance: Guatemala

Funding appeals and humanitarian action updates

Guatemala is severely affected by erratic rains and the loss of agricultural crops due to the return of El Niño, which occurs every two to seven years. The El Niño phenomenon – one of the strongest ever recorded in the region – causes irregular rains and unusually high temperatures which negatively affect crop production and, subsequently, food security and nutrition levels.  There are now an estimated 54,000 families at extremely high risk of food and nutrition insecurity, and a further 400,000 families estimated to be at high risk. Recent reports from the Ministry of Health also attribute the erratic rains to an increase in the prevalence of malnutrition, diarrhea and acute respiratory infections. Particularly vulnerable are the rural poor who live in the most affected area - the Dry Corridor of the country.  Data from the affected departments within the Dry Corridor indicate that only 34.2 per cent of the rural population has access to safe water. Women and children currently represent 80 per cent of the victims of the crisis and are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.
In response to the deterioration of the food and nutrition situation, UNICEF and its partners are working closely with the Government of Guatemala to support humanitarian aid interventions in the affected communities with the aim to prevent mortality and reduce morbidity among children and women. These actions will mainly focus on nutrition, water and sanitation.
In order to respond quickly, UNICEF Guatemala is requesting an initial amount of US$ 2,550,000 to meet the immediate and medium-term needs of children and women in the affected areas over the next three months.
Guatemala Immediate Needs - 26 September 2009

Humanitarian Assistance to Children and Women in Central America affected by the passage of Hurricane Stan
Hundreds of thousands of children across the region have been affected by flooding and landslides associated with the passage of hurricane Stan. They require urgent humanitarian assistance through interventions in health, nutrition, water and sanitation, protection and education. UNICEF requests US$8,055,000 to sustain on-going relief efforts throughout the region. The scope of the disaster in Guatemala has been huge. Flooding and landslides have caused loss of life, injury, displaced persons and damaged housing and infrastructure in 251 of 331 municipalities in 15 of the country’s 22 departments situated in the South and Western parts of the country. In recognition of the gravity of the situation, on 5 October the Government declared a state of national emergency (“estado de calamidad nacional”) and on 7 October it requested assistance from the international community. UNICEF requests US$ 3,600,000 to respond to the needs of childen and women in Guatemala.
Central America Crisis Appeal 20 October 2005 [pdf]