Drought crises impact communities in Bolivia and Guatemala

Severe drought conditions are causing significant humanitarian and economic distress across parts of Bolivia and Guatemala.

In the Chaco chuquisaqueño region of Bolivia, specifically within the San Pablo de Huacareta municipality, an extreme lack of water has led to a shortage of potable water and significant livestock mortality. Communities such as Atirimbia, Tentapuco, Ibaviranti, and Itacaray are facing the crisis, which has also impacted local wildlife. Local authorities are preparing to issue a departmental disaster declaration to facilitate technical and financial support.

In Guatemala, approximately 1.2 million families are affected by a lack of rainfall, leading to widespread crop failures in staples like corn and beans. The National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction (Conred) reported 62 days without rain and warned of critical conditions ahead. To combat food insecurity, an inter-institutional humanitarian assistance plan has been presented, including the allocation of Q500 million to acquire hundreds of thousands of food rations. Additionally, health officials reported that 12,933 children in the country have been registered with acute malnutrition.