Humanitarian Action for Children 2011 - Unicef

GuatemalaChildren and women in crisis‘Not being able to get one’s head above water’ captures, literally and figuratively, theoverwhelming nature of Guatemala’s emergency conditions in 2010. Not only does the countrycontinue to be severely affected by erratic rains as a result of the El Niño phenomenon, butin 2010, Tropical Storm Agatha and the Pacaya volcanic eruption also hit, causing US$1.5billion in damage and loss to the country and affecting 911,000 people, nearly 4 per cent of thepopulation. 1 The irregular rains and unusually high temperatures have negatively affected cropproduction, heightening the population’s food insecurity and leading to high levels of undernutrition.2 Structural vulnerabilities in Guatemala, including limited land planning processes,poor economic and territorial development and the decline of existing ecosystems posechallenges to effective disaster recovery and preparedness.Humanitarianfunding at work:Highlights from 2010In 2010, UNICEF receivedUS$1,424,695 for work inGuatemala, 15 per cent ofthe US$9,362,310 requestedthrough two Flash Appeals.While full funding wouldhave extended humanitarianassistance to more childrenand women, the fundingthat was received helpedimprove the welfare of manyaffected by Guatemala’smultiple emergencies.UNICEF supported thetreatment of 500 childrenwith severe acute malnutritionacross a number ofaffected departments, andprovided powdered multiplemicronutrients to 20,000children. Around 123,500people (17,000 boys, 15,000girls and 92,000 women)in temporary sheltersopened due to the floodingand in the most-affectedcommunities benefited fromsafe water and sanitation.Around 2,500 disasteraffectedchildren receivedpsychosocial support.Meeting urgent needs and building resilience in 2011In 2011 UNICEF will have a positive impact on the lives of more than 100,000 children andwomen in the most-affected regions and communities, including the departments of BajaVerapaz, Chiquimula, El Progreso, Escuintla, Jalapa, Sololá, Suchitepéquez and Zacapa.• To combat the slow weakening that undernutrition can cause in a population, 22,000 childrenand women in rural areas will receive micronutrients through fortified food, supplements ormultiple micronutrient preparations. In addition, 660 children with severe acute malnutritionwill receive treatment, with a goal of complete recovery and sustained health. UNICEF andpartners will train 500 health staff, community workers and mothers in proper feeding ofinfants and young children.• Around 80 per cent of children and women in shelters and communities affected by floodswill receive routine life-saving vaccinations. UNICEF will provide vitamin A and dewormingmedications for 22,000 children.• Together with the ministry of health, Catholic Relief Services, Oxfam and Water for People,UNICEF will provide access to safe drinking water for 12,000 people in rural communities, aswell as sanitation facilities in schools and shelters.• To maintain continuity of education and a safe environment for children, UNICEF willprovide school materials, furniture and textbooks to 25,300 preschool and primary schoolchildren. Children will also have access to psychosocial support through UNICEF-trainedpsychologists and teachers.• UNICEF will increase from 10 to 70 the percentage of people in the affected departments whoreceive information on HIV prevention, care and support.Funding requirements for 2011For 2011, UNICEF is requesting US$2.65 million for its planned humanitarian work in Guatemala.This request is prompted by the extensive nature of the emergency in Guatemala, whichresulted in two Flash Appeals in 2010. The gravity of the plight of women and children cannotbe overlooked and requires immediate and full funding.More information on results from 2010 and the humanitarian action planned for2011 in Guatemala can be found at www.unicef.org/hac2011 and the country officewebsite at the www.unicef.org/guatemala.1. Government of the Republic of Guatemala, ‘Evaluación de daños y pérdidas sectoriales y estimación denecesidades ocasionados por desastres en Guatemala desde mayo a septiembre de 2010’ [Evaluation ofdamages, sectoral losses and needs estimates caused by disasters in Guatemala from May to September 2010],Guatemala City, 2010, pp. 21, 27.2. Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, Guatemala: Efectos del cambio climatico sobre laagricultura [The Effects of Climate Change on Agriculture], ECLAC, Mexico, June 2010, p. 1.UNICEF EMERGENCY NEEDS FOR 2011 (in US dollars)Total $2,650,000200,000Health300,000Child protection50,000HIV and AIDS1,000,000 Nutrition800,000 WASH300,000EducationGuatemalawww.unicef.org/hac2011 | 2011 UNICEF Humanitarian Action FOR CHILDREN 57