Guatemala's food crisis

Food has become scarce in Guatemala, as drought and economic conditions bite hard. Children under five are particularly at risk, with hundreds already suffering from malnutrition. The government has declared a ‘state of calamity’.

Plan has identified almost 2,000 communities at high or very high risk of food and nutritional insecurity. Hundreds more have also been identified as lower risk.

Plan is responding by providing high nutritional content cereal foods, such as Vitacereal, to families with young children in at risk areas. Childhood illness from poor hygiene practices can contribute heavily to problems with malnutrition. Plan is also engaging in community education programmes, teaching parents good nutrition and hygiene techniques.