Latin America & The Caribbean Weekly Situation Update as of 1 November 2024

KEY FIGURES

• 1.5M people in Guatemala estimated to need food assistance from October to January
• 2K people confined in Colombia’s Amazonas department
• $33M required for UN Cuba Plan of Action response after Hurricane Oscar

GUATEMALA: FOOD SECURITY

From October to January, many areas will remain in Crisis levels of food insecurity (IPC Phase 3) due to poor or failed staple harvests, prolonged market reliance amid high food prices and rapid income depletion from debt payments and food purchases. FEWS NET projects that 1.5 to 1.99 million people will require assistance during this period. In October, delayed harvests will keep rural poor households in Crisis, as typical market relief is unavailable. From November to January, seasonal improvements may shift some areas to Stressed (Phase 2, IPC), driven by increased maize and bean availability and temporary agricultural labor. By February, Crisis-level conditions will spread as food reserves deplete, migration income drops, and local job opportunities decline. The Dry Corridor, Alta Verapaz, and the Highlands remain the most affected, with rural poor households relying on coping strategies to meet basic food needs.

COLOMBIA: DISPLACEMENT

Nearly 2,000 indigenous people have been confined from the Nonuya de Villa Azul and Predio Putumayo Indigenous Reserves in the Amazonas department. This is the first humanitarian emergency reported in the Amazonas due to armed conflict in years. The intensification of territorial disputes among non-state armed groups (NSAGs) has further restricted mobility, hindering navigation along the Caquetá River, the main route for food, fuel, and other essential goods and services. Consequently, the affected communities have limited fishing, hunting, and other communal activities due to the risk of crossfire. There are reports of increased threats and the imposition of behavioral norms, exacerbating the protection risks faced by these Indigenous populations.

CUBA: HURRICANE OSCAR

Following Hurricane Oscar, the UN in Cuba launched a Plan of Action, developed with national authorities, to support immediate response and early recovery. This plan, which seeks US$33 million to assist 478,000 people, will address urgent needs over the first six months, with select projects extending up to 18 months for recovery. Priority sectors include Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), Temporary Shelters, Housing, Early Recovery, Education, Logistics, Health, Food Security, and Nutrition.

The Plan follows a US$3.5 million allocation from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) for immediate needs in affected areas. UN agencies, including UNHCR, FAO, PAHO/WHO, WFP, UNFPA, UNICEF, UNDP and IOM, have activated emergency mechanisms, mobilizing resources and reallocating funds as needed.

Hurricane Oscar struck on October 20, hitting Guantánamo with 130 km/h winds and rainfall reaching 600 mm. Approximately 150,000 people face urgent needs in areas like Baracoa, Maisí, Imías, and San Antonio del Sur, where widespread flooding hampers rescue efforts and access to water, food, and health services. Power outages are disrupting communications and emergency response. The storm damaged over 14,300 homes, many at risk of roof collapse, along with 56 health facilities, 150 schools, and critical water systems. More than 15,000 hectares of crops were lost, affecting food storage and local livelihoods, including salt and coffee production.