Food Assistance Fact Sheet - Guatemala

Food Security Situation  

CIA World Factbook

• Guatemala has the fourth highest rate of chronic malnutrition in the world and the highest in Latin America and the Caribbean. Currently, almost 50 percent of children under five are stunted due to lack of access to nutritious foods. Within indigenous areas, nearly 70 percent of the population is chronically malnourished.

• The 2015/2016 El Niño phenomenon led to one of the worst droughts in 35 years in Central America. In particular, Guatemala has suffered from consecutive poor harvests, which have led to limited agricultural production, lost labor opportunities and reduced household incomes, exacerbating food insecurity among already vulnerable households.  According to the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET), precipitation in the upcoming 2017 rainy season will again be below-average. By September 2017, FEWS NET predicts that approximately 880,000 people will be experiencing Crisis (IPC 3) levels of food insecurity.

Food Assistance Programs

• In response to the drought crisis, the Office of Food for Peace (FFP) supports the UN World Food Program (WFP) and NGOs to provide food assistance to vulnerable households throughout the dry corridor. In an effort to reduce food and nutrition insecurity and mitigate impacts of the drought, FFP provides assistance in the form of cash transfers, food vouchers, cash-for-training and cash-for-assets programs.
• FFP also supports two ongoing, multi-year development programs that empower communities to build food security and resilience to shocks. These programs—implemented in partnership with Catholic Relief Services and Save the Children—aim to improve maternal and child health and increase household access to food. In particular, programs focus on training communities to better manage natural resources and boost access to agricultural and non-agricultural livelihoods opportunities and financial services.

Food for Peace Contributions

Total Contributions:

Fiscal Year 2017 Contribution Breakdown:

Food Security Situation information is provided by FEWS NET and WFP

FY 2017 contribution on funds provided to date

Additional Information

• Guatemala Baseline Study Report
• Success Story:  Home Gardens improve nutrition, empower women in Guatemala
• Learn more about how USAID and Save the Children are working together to tackle hunger in Guatemala: Getting to the Root of Malnutrition in Guatemala
• Feed the Future in Guatemala

Country Specific Guidance

• Guatemala Country Specific Guidance
• Burundi and Guatemala: Preventative Measures for Children Under Two Approach