Guatemala: Monitoring the Humanitarian Response - Bulletin n° 1 | January-June 2024

Situation Update

Guatemala continues to face two major humanitarian crises, as highlighted in the country’s Humanitarian Needs Overview: food insecurity and acute malnutrition, as well as the entry, transit, and movement of mixed flows of migrants and people in need of protection. In some regions, the situation is exacerbated by the impact of seasonal rains.

As of June 2024, data from WFP's Food Security monitoring, conducted through computer-assisted telephone interviews (CATI), indicates that approximately 29 per cent of Guatemalan households —about 5.8 million people—are food insecure (INSAN). Of these, roughly 687,000 people (3.4 per cent) are severely food insecure and require immediate assistance. This marks a significant deterioration from June 2023, when 22 per cent of households were food insecure, and 0.8 per cent were severely food insecure. This decline is attributed to rising food prices and poor crop performance in recent months, with the current rainy season likely to further impact harvests.

Acute malnutrition among children under age 5 has also surged at an alarming rate. As of epidemiological week 27 (6 June), there were 16,730 reported cases and 21 deaths (Information System on Food and Nutrition Insecurity), a 15 per cent increase in cases compared to the same period in 2023. Immediate attention is required to prevent further fatalities among this vulnerable population. The departments with the highest case numbers are Escuintla, Alta Verapaz, San Marcos, Guatemala Sur, Suchitepéquez and Retalhuleu. In San Marcos, there has been a significant increase from the previous year, standing out with 908 total cases, 34 per cent of which are severe acute malnutrition cases. The areas with the highest confirmed mortality include Alta Verapaz, Chimaltenango, Chiquimula, Jalapa and San Marcos.

In terms of regional human mobility, Guatemala remains a key country for migration, serving as a place of origin, transit, destination and return. In 2023, 220,085 Guatemalans were recorded arriving at the southern border of the United States. So far in 2024, 157,399 arrivals have been reported. A significant proportion of these migrants are children. These mixed movements are increasing the demand for temporary accommodation and other services as migrants pass through the country. With a 20 per cent rise in movements expected, additional resources will be needed.