Guatemala

Key findings and conclusions at the national level

• Local level resilience building of communities most at risk needs to be prioritised in national risk reduction policies and plans
• Community engagement in assessing, planning, implementing and monitoring risk reduction plans and activities at the local level needs to improve
• Coherence between development, disaster risk reduction, climate change and poverty reduction strategies needs to be institutionalised

Surveys undertaken in Guatemala

Our Views from the Frontline surveys in Guatemala were undertaken in 2019.

Who was surveyed?

We surveyed 1,066 random households, 151 civil society organisations, 152 local government representatives, and undertook 76 community consultations.

Risk locations prioritised

We prioritised three risk areas:

• San Marcos
• Chiquimula
• Alta Verapaz

Communities surveyed

We surveyed people from 15 communities: Cabecera Municipal, Área Urbana, San José Santa Rita, Potrerillos, María Cecilia, Asentamiento Jesus Maria, Asentamiento Oscar Guevara, Barreal, La Mina, Matazano, San Marcos, Chió, Paapa, San Luis Popobaj and Saquib.

Our impact

Activities undertaken in response to community-level findings and conclusions

• Strengthening early warning systems, including installing signage around schools and providing emergency toolkits to communities to reduce risks from landslides and fires
• Providing training to community members on landslide risks, forest fires and the impacts of climate change
• Formation of an environment commission committee to raise awareness of solid waste management in communities
• Installation of garbage bins in communities
• Strengthening of community groups for effective emergency response

Impact of activities

• As a primary stakeholder, communities are now consulted in the assessment, planning, implementation and monitoring of risk reduction plans and activities to prevent disasters
• Community resilience increased due to the development of collaborative activities for disaster risk reduction, promoting a healthy and self-sustaining lifestyle
• Local level authorities have a better awareness of community resilience meaning community issues are now included when making national risk reduction policies and plans

Our project partners in Guatemala

Our Views from the Frontline programme is implemented by GNDR member organisations and partners in the country.

National coordinating organisation

• Food for the Hungry

Partner organisations

• Asociación Estudios de Cooperación de Occidente
• Asociación de Servicios y Desarrollo Socioeconómico de Chiquimula
• Food for Hungry Alta Verapaz