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WFP Guatemala Country Brief, September 2019

Countries
Guatemala
Sources
WFP
Publication date

In Numbers**

USD 1.3 m in cash transfers (Feb-September 2019)
USD 6.2 m six months net funding requirements 32,100 people assisted (cash transfers)
February-September 2019

Operational Updates

• WFP targeted 2,000 households (about 10,000 people) in Chiquimula, and 3,800 households (about 19,000 people) in Alta Verapaz for cash transfers, to meet their basic needs. WFP strengthened the capacities of local staff of national institutions designated to roll-out awareness-raising sessions on nutrition and hygiene among the people receiving cash transfers to increase food expenditure according to the needs of family members.

• On 19 September, WFP and GOAL International led a workshop with members of the Cash Working Group, with the representation of the Humanitarian Country Team, government institutions, NGOs and UN agencies. Lessons learnt and best practices will reinforce the implementation of cash transfers as a mechanism for emergency response in humanitarian settings.
Next steps include an assessment to compile the pros and cons of the existing platforms and support recommendations.

• On 2 September, Country Directors of four Central American countries, the Regional Director, WFP Executive Management and technical staff held a strategic workshop at WFP headquarters to identify viable and fundable solutions to improve the dire situation in the Dry Corridor. WFP strives to develop solutions that address food insecurity as the root cause of migration combined with the lack of employment opportunities and vulnerability to climate change.

• On 12 September, the Guatemala Country Team of the UN Romebased Agencies (RBAs) received the 2018 RBA Award of Excellence for increasing synergies, efficiency and effectiveness within the Joint Programme “Accelerating Progress towards the Economic Empowerment of Rural Women” (JP-RWEE). Through this programme, WFP supported women farmers to organize themselves into producer organizations to be able to increase their surplus through access to sustainable production techniques and markets. WFP also led awareness-raising campaigns to increase men and boys’ participation in household chores, including the preparation of nutritious food, and to prevent gender-based violence.

• With WFP’s support, women of a community of Retalhuleu with high-prevalence of HIV established orchards for diet diversification among their families. Women learned how to cultivate a variety of vegetables and also benefitted from occupational therapy.