The assessment showed that 235,000 people are in need of emergency food assistance and an additional 95,000 are in need of complementary food assistance after Tropical Storm Agatha and the eruption of Pacaya Volcano last May.
GUATEMALA– According to an Emergency Food Security Assessment (EFSA) conducted last month, approximately 330,000 people will need food assistance in the coming months to survive.
The assessment --conducted by the World Food Programme, Action Against Hunger, the Mesoamerica Famine Early Warning System (MFEWS), FAO and UNICEF--aimed at determining where, how many and for how long those people affected by Tropical Storm Agatha and the eruption of Pacaya Volcano would need food assistance.
“The situation we are facing is a challenge for the country and the international community. The rainy season is not over yet and the consequences could worsen. This assessment highlights the critical situation and the need for more support”, said WFP Country Director, Willem Van Milink.
The assessment started in August and it showed that 235,000 people are in need of emergency food assistance and an additional 95,000 are in need of complementary food assistance.
Tropical Storm Agatha left behind torrential rains and severe damages all over the country, affecting communications, infrastructure, food security and livelihoods. In addition, Tropical Depression E-11 affected 60 municipalities of 12 departments with a final count of 276 incidents, 225 people dead and millions in damages.
The National Institute of Seismology, Vulcanology, Meteorology and Hydrology (INSIVUMEH) predicted that hurricane season will extend until November.