CERF gives more than $1.6 million to protect earthquake victims in Guatemala
A 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck Guatemala on 7 November 2012. It was the most severe earthquake to strike the country since 1976. It affected more than 3 million people, particularly in San Marcos and Quetzaltenango. The high number of displaced people living in shelters and the precarious health and sanitary conditions increase the risk of physical disease and mental illness among the affected communities.
Sheltered people urgently require drinking water, health-care services, post-trauma support systems and special equipment. The United Nations finds that urgent assistance to the affected families housed in temporary emergency shelters is needed to save lives.
In response, the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) provided US$1,654,130 in rapid response grants to five UN agencies to address the critical health and safety needs of affected people.
By promoting health care in shelters and communities, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) will deliver life-saving assistance to an estimated 1,500 families through an allocation of $85,001. With emphasis on mental health and sanitary interventions, WHO will reduce the risks of diseases.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has received $458,928 to establish and maintain basic living, sanitary conditions and health procedures to people temporarily living in shelters.
Through an allocation of $886,550, the World Food Programme (WFP) will cover the food-needs gap through general food distribution. WFP will also reduce and stabilize acute malnutrition caused by the impact of the earthquake.
The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has received $162,875 to provide personal and psychological support to children and adolescents, and non-food items, such as heating equipment and hygienic kits.
With an allocation of $60,776, the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) plans to mitigate the risk of violence against women through technical assistance and community promotion by providing psychosocial and health assistance to the displaced people.
CERF in Action - Rapid Response