Attachments
HIGHLIGHTS
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Latin America and the Caribbean remains the second most disaster-prone region in the world, with growing numbers of people affected by such disasters as storms or floods. Between the year 2000 and 2022, 190 million people were hit by disasters in the region, with an average of 8.6 million people affected each year. The combination of extreme natural events (which are more frequent due to climate change), growing displacement and migration, increasing violence and poverty and socioeconomic instability in countries in the region impacts the well-being of thousands of highly vulnerable children.
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With country offices and partners, UNICEF supports emergency preparedness efforts throughout the region, including through training, pre-positioning supplies and generating critical data. When an emergency hits, UNICEF ensures rapid activation of its humanitarian response, including by reinforcing capacities in the field.
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UNICEF appeals for $12.4 million to strengthen emergency preparedness to address compounding humanitarian situations and to respond to emerging crises.
HUMANITARIAN SITUATION
With 190 million people affected by disasters between 2000 and 2022, Latin America and the Caribbean is the second most disaster-prone region in the world. Three out of ten people in the region have been affected by disasters in their communities. Between January 2022 and September 2023, 13.4 million people, including 4 million children, were affected by disasters.
In addition to the exposure to natural hazards and the effects of climate change, other risks intertwine to increase the need for enhanced preparedness, response and resilience capacities in countries in the region.
Migration through South and Central America increased substantially in 2023, overwhelming countries’ capacities. Millions of vulnerable families and children are migrating across borders or within their countries due to poverty, inequality, violence (including gender-based violence) and climate-related shocks, and because of limited access to adequate nutrition, health, water, sanitation, protection and education services.
An estimated 32 million people face multidimensional poverty in the region and would be among the most vulnerable to new shocks. Women and children are increasingly exposed to risks in countries where socioeconomic and political instability, limited humanitarian access and state fragility affect the ability of Governments and partners to respond to crises effectively.
In 2024, immediate impacts are expected related to the El Niño phenomenon. Drought in Central America and parts of South America, as well as heavy rains in the South, are expected to disrupt agricultural activities and food production, increasing levels of food insecurity and malnutrition for children in areas with already limited access to food and safe water.
Storms continue to be more frequent in the region, leaving affected people with less time to recover between events. Tropical cyclones in small island and developing states in the Caribbean are anticipated in 2024; this will challenge food security, access to income and basic services and living conditions for millions of children.