CLIMATE CHANGE AND HEALTH

Guatemala is one of the countries that suffer the greatest negative effects due to extreme weather phenomena that alternate between severe storms and heat waves. These effects are most prevalent in the north and east of the country. In the north, the Q'eqchi’ communities of Alta Verapaz and the Zona Reina del Quiché are among the most affected and at the same time receive limited support from public institutions.

Through participatory action-research processes, CEGSS together with REDC-SALUD, the affected communities and the support of external partners have been documenting the effects of extreme weather events on food insecurity, exacerbation of poverty, low availability and use of preventive and curative health services. At the same time, gaps have been documented in the implementation of the national emergency response policy and, consequently, the limited attention received by affected communities. As part of the actions for improvement, the communities themselves have defined their priorities and are currently presenting them to the authorities at the municipal, departmental and national levels.