Guatemala Hunger Emergency Due To Climate Change, Drought, and Economy

Guatemala Declares Calamity as Food Crisis Grows

Guatemala has declared a “state of public calamity” over what it calls a dire hunger and nutritional crisis. In a national address, Guatemalan President Alvaro Colom said Guatemala has suffered from climate change and the global economic meltdown.

Guatemalan President Alvaro Colom: “On one side, the inherited problem was worsened by the drought resulting from the climate change and those of the global economic crisis. Actions carried out by the government through pro-rural and cohesion social programs prevented the problem reaching more serious consequences. The government will not get lost in a discussion of technical issues. For us, one life has invaluable importance and value.”

Guatemala has the world’s fourth highest rate of chronic malnutrition and the highest in Latin America.


for complete article:
2009-09-09
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/americas/09/09/guatemala.calamity/