OCHA and its partners act to anticipate drought in Guatemala
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has released an allocation of up to 4 million US dollars from its Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to support communities ahead of a forecast drought in Guatemala.
“We're getting ahead of potential drought in Guatemala – unlocking $4 million from UN CERF to act before the crisis peaks," noted Tom Fletcher, the United Nations (UN) humanitarian chief, on X. "With the government of Guatemala and partners, we’ll support over 51,000 people with cash, food and health interventions.”
Activating the framework
The pre-agreed trigger thresholds in the collective Dry Corridor Anticipatory Action Framework: El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras 2024-25 were reached on 24 July. This was based on forecasts predicting a severe lack of rainfall during the September–November 2025 season in the Department of Chiquimula.
Facilitated by OCHA under the leadership of the Resident Coordinator and in partnership with the government of Guatemala and humanitarian partners, this framework was launched in 2024 as part of a regional approach to drought in Central America. The trigger thresholds are based on official national forecasts and historical forecasts from the government's Institute for Seismology, Vulcanology, Meteorology and Hydrology.
This activation will enable UN agencies and partners to assist more than 51,000 people through actions including multi-purpose cash transfers, livestock protection, water, sanitation and health (WASH) services, food assistance, and health interventions. The target communities in Chiquimula already face crisis levels of food insecurity due to systemic poverty, as well as the impacts of previous droughts and economic shocks.
Thanks to Ioannis Kaffes, OCHA, for his help with the article.