If you've been following along, you will have heard that on Sunday, May 23rd a group of 8 Friends of WFP committee leaders traveled to Guatemala to view several life saving programs throughout the region. After an amazing few days, we returned to Guatemala City in time for discussion with country director, Willem Van Milink. We also returned in time for the eruption of Pacaya, a volcano located just outside of the city, and Tropical Storm Agatha - all in one weekend. Well, half of our group is currently making their way home through the airport in San Salvador and the other half of us are still waiting for flight operations to resume in Guatemala City. This addition to our planned trip has made for an interesting perspective.
When we arrived in Guatemala, we were briefed regarding funding shortfalls for emergency operations in the dry corridor of the country. This region has been recently alternating between draught and excessive rain. According to local farmers and WFP staff this has lead to 80% crop failure in many areas. For a community with no reliable source of income, relying completely on the food they can grow, this is devastating. WFP has been working with the money that they have to provide life saving food in these communities, as evidenced by children we met who were recovering from near death.
With the addition of recent events, including mudslides and major flooding, I am left wondering how these communities will go on. Many of the families that we visited will have no crops left right now and some of them won't even have homes left. I am very gratetful that WFP will be here to help these families survive.
When we arrived in Guatemala, we were briefed regarding funding shortfalls for emergency operations in the dry corridor of the country. This region has been recently alternating between draught and excessive rain. According to local farmers and WFP staff this has lead to 80% crop failure in many areas. For a community with no reliable source of income, relying completely on the food they can grow, this is devastating. WFP has been working with the money that they have to provide life saving food in these communities, as evidenced by children we met who were recovering from near death.
With the addition of recent events, including mudslides and major flooding, I am left wondering how these communities will go on. Many of the families that we visited will have no crops left right now and some of them won't even have homes left. I am very gratetful that WFP will be here to help these families survive.
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