UNDP- Strengthening the resilience of households in Guatemala's dry corridor

During 2023, the program focused its efforts in 4 lines of work: a) development of drought adapted food systems; b) strengthening of knowledge, attitudes, and nutritional practices; c) development of a sustainable water governance, and d) strengthening central and local government capacities. 5,416 families from 59 communities of Chiquimula and Jalapa participated in the program during 2023.. Examples of results achieved during the period from January to December 2023: 2,200 Families from which 1,288 are women head of household have improved their food security by increasing their vegetable production, started to produce animal protein by producing 4,350 pounds of fish each four-month period and 24,600 eggs monthly. 80% of the total production is for the familys self-consumption and 20% for sale and income generation. Before the program support only 840 families produced vegetables but their production wasn´t enough to satisfy their self-consumption needs. 650 families small-scale coffee growers in Chiquimula from which 306 are women head of household have improved their production techniques by applying a sustainable profitability model and have been certified with the Coffee Practices and Rainforest Alliance seals, managing to sell their production at a price 22% above the average sale price, due to the quality of the grain and the quality seals. Before the program, the participation of women coffee producers was minimal in coffee marketing and the production was sold to local intermediaries at low prices. 423 women from Chiquimula and Jalapa they trained and graduated as agents of change as part of the strategy for behavioral change of the National Crusade for Nutrition led by Secretary of food and nutritional security - SESAN. The training aimed to promote breastfeeding, complementary nutrition for children, hygiene, and detection of malnutrition. The women have also received a backpack kit to share what they have learned with women in their communities. The program has rehabilitated and equipped health services facilities in Olopa, Jocotán and San Juan Ermita in Chiquimula, promoting the access to health services to 3,500 families. The improvements include sanitary infrastructure, including the water supply and drainage system, medical equipment, and supplies. Before the program, the families attending the health services received services in poor hygiene conditions, in deteriorated facilities, without medical equipment and supplies. The program has supported SEGEPLAN to enable two mechanisms to ensure interinstitutional coordination: 1) A network of 18 Municipal planning directorates and 2) Departmental technical planning units of Chiquimula and Jalapa. These coordination spaces facilitate the analysis and decision making for high social value public investment.

The program aims to improve the food security and nutrition of families and communities in 7 micro-watersheds of Jalapa and Chiquimula in the Dry Corridor of Guatemala. The improvements will be achieved through the promotion of sustainable use of natural resources (water, forest, and soil), integrated water management and increased resilience capacities for climate change adaptation. The implementation includes the promotion and improvement of local governance, gender equality and water security with special emphasis in women and children. The indigenous groups in the area are Ch´ortí´ in Chiquimula and Pocomán in Jalapa. FAO is lead agency, working in coordination in field with UNICEF, UNDP and WHO.