Guatemala Floods Destroy Food Crops, Threatening Livelihoods of Thousands of Families

An assessment carried out by humanitarian organisation Action Against Hunger | ACF International following torrential rains and flooding triggered by a tropical depression in Guatemala, has shown that over 16,700 families have been affected in the worst hit coastal departments of Escuintla, Santa Rosa, Jutiapa and San Marcos. In response, Action Against Hunger is preparing to distribute drinking water, hygiene kits and ready-to-use foods to meet the immediate needs of the most affected communities.  The organisation has also launched programmes aimed at rebuilding livelihoods and damaged infrastructure for the long term.

Half of all homes in the 106 communities surveyed by Action Against Hunger have been flooded. With agricultural fields covered in standing water, it is estimated the floods ruined 70 per cent of corn crops, 83 per cent of beans crops and more than 40 per cent of banana, vegetables and Pashte fields. Poultry stocks have also suffered severe losses ranging from 20 to 60 per cent.

"The floods are threatening the already fragile livelihoods of vulnerable communities in the affected areas," said Olivier Longue, Executive Director of ACF-Spain. "Seasonal hunger recurs year after year. Sometimes it’s caused by drought; sometimes it’s caused by rain. This is what happens to those who are at risk of seasonal hunger."

As heavy rains battered Guatemala for eight consecutive days, the affected communities have reported that the impact of this year’s floods exceeded previous flood-related disasters, causing widespread damage.

Water and sanitation infrastructure has been heavily damaged: 25 drinking water systems, 55 schools, health and community centres, and over 12,300 wells and 9,300 latrines were  partially or totally destroyed, leading to an increased risk of disease outbreaks. A significant increase in acute respiratory infections and diarrhoeal disease has already been recorded.

Beyond the initial emergency response, Action Against Hunger is preparing to rehabilitate damaged wells and implement cash-for-work programmes to rebuild infrastructure such as roads and bridges. The humanitarian organisation will also launch programmes aimed at helping small-scale farmers to re-plant their fields, support households by restocking animals including chickens, pigs and ducks, and strengthen disaster preparedness and response capacities at the community level.

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