Guatemala

08 July 2024

By 9 July 2024, heavy rains during the May–October rainy season, compounded by the effects of Tropical Storm Alberto, had led to the evacuation of more than 17,000 people. The rains had also damaged over 6,000 houses, at least 39 schools, and 481 roads. The hardest-hit areas include northern Guatemala and the Pacific coastal region. Road and bridge damage constrain access to the affected areas. The most urgent needs for those affected are food, emergency healthcare, and shelters. The Government has declared a state of calamity for the entire country, which will last 30 days after its entry into effect on 8 July. (OCHA 28/06/2024, CONRED accessed 09/07/2024, La Prensa Grafica 08/07/2024)

20 December 2023

5.3 million people are projected to require humanitarian assistance in Guatemala in 2024 – an increase of 300,000 from 2023. Their key needs are access to food (particularly for children under 5 years old and IDPs), healthcare services, WASH, housing, and protection. Food insecurity spread in 2023 to new municipalities and communities outside the Dry Corridor, historically the most affected region in the country. This is partly caused by the impact of El Niño, which has compounded droughts and tropical storms. The availability of water was also reduced by heat waves and droughts in 2023. The number of people on the move in Central America increased by 200% in 2023, resulting in a heightened demand for humanitarian services in countries along the route to North America. (OCHA 20/12/2023, OCHA 02/01/2024)

15 November 2023

As at 10 November 2023, heavy rainfall and strong winds had affected more than 4.5 million people since the start of the rainy season in May. The disaster had led to the evacuation of nearly 23,600 people, killed at least 65, and damaged more than 7,700 buildings. People likely need shelter, water, and food. (PAHO 13/11/2023, ECHO 12/10/2023)

15 August 2023

Since the start of the rainy season in May 2023, heavy rainfall had affected more than 1.55 million people in the central and southern regions of the country as at 11 August. Among those affected, more than 4,500 have evacuated from their homes, and at least 8,900 are still at risk of evacuation. Nearly 25 people have died in nine departments. As at 14 August, the rains had moderately affected over 3,100 houses and severely damaged 116 others. There is limited information about current needs, but in previous flooding incidents during the rainy season, people needed water, food, and shelter. Flooding and landslides have affected agricultural activities, and food prices are likely to increase. The rains have also damaged roads and bridges, making access to certain areas difficult until repair activities are completed. (CONRED accessed 14/08/2023, FEWS NET 02/08/2023, OCHA 07/08/2023)