Latin America & The Caribbean Weekly Situation Update as of 20 September 2024

KEY FIGURES

58% of Brazil is facing severe drought, further fueling wildfires across the country

125K children suffering from severe acute malnutrition in Haiti

1.3K people confined due to the presence of an NSAG in Chocó, Colombia

HAITI: AGRICULTURE & FOOD INSECURITY

Since February 2024, escalating violence and displacement have severely reduced agricultural output and disrupted markets, leaving half of Haiti’s population acutely food insecure and 125,000 children suffering from severe acute malnutrition. Spring harvests provided little relief, with erratic rainfall, limited seeds, and high labor costs keeping production below normal. Agriculture remains essential for 75 per cent of those facing food insecurity, providing sustenance and livelihoods. FAO is seeking US$48 million under the 2024 Humanitarian Response Plan to assist 608,000 people with emergency agricultural support, including cash transfers, inputs, and training.

COLOMBIA: ARMED VIOLENCE

Humanitarian needs have surged in the northwestern department of Chocó, where the presence of a non-state armed group (NSAG) near schools has led to the confinement of at least 1,394 people from 12 Emberá Dóbida indigenous communities in the Pichicora, Chicue, and Punta Alegre Indigenous Reservations, in the municipality of Bojayá. Civilians have been subjected to threats, detentions, forced recruitment, including of children, gender-based violence (GBV) and theft of essential goods, including livestock and supplies. Communities also face protection risks due to the presence of anti-personnel mines (APM) and unexploded ordnance (UXO). On 17 September, an accident involving a minor occurred in the community of Panamacito, Istmina. The humanitarian situation for ethnic communities in the San Juan subregion remains alarming, with three explosive device accidents recorded in 2024, injuring 11 people, mostly civilians.

SOUTH AMERICA: WILDFIRES UPDATE

The wildfire crisis in South America continues, with the impending La Niña expected to worsen conditions. OCHA is supporting national UN systems’ requests for UNOSAT satellite imagery analysis to assess the ongoing fires in Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, and Peru.

Bolivia: Heavy rainfall has eased Bolivia’s wildfire crisis, but 38 active fires remain, mainly in Santa Cruz, Beni, and La Paz. Over 4 million hectares have been affected, 3.3 million in Santa Cruz. As of 17 September, fires have displaced 43,256 people, affected 203,000 more, and killed at least 4, according to Civil Defence.

Brazil: Facing its worst drought in 70 years, with 58 per cent of the country affected, Brazil continues to tackle raging wildfires. Nearly 3,000 response workers have deployed to areas with fires, with 71 per cent of the 820 fires in the Amazon, Pantanal, and Cerrado controlled as of 15 September. Authorities have approved additional funding, and a joint mission with Bolivia is addressing fires along their border.

Ecuador: High temperatures and rainfall deficits continue to drive fires in Ecuador, with 12 active in Cotopaxi, Pichincha, Chimborazo, and Imbabura. Nearly 3,000 fires have burned 35,000 hectares so far this year, causing 11 deaths and affecting more than 360 people. While fire activity has decreased since August, extreme weather increases the risk of new outbreaks.

Peru: On 18 September, authorities declared a state of emergency in Amazonas, San Martin and Ucayali amid persistent wildfires. The fires have now resulted in 16 deaths, 140 injuries and have affected at least 6,000 hectares of land. Despite ongoing firefighting efforts, 34 fires remain active, driven by extremely dry and hot conditions.