KEY RESULTS

The results of the first IPC Chronic Food Insecurity Analysis in Guatemala identified the following levels of Chronic Food Insecurity (CFI): five of the 22 departments are in IPC Phase 4; 13 departments in IPC Phase 3; and four departments in IPC Phase 2.

Of the total population analysed that is equivalent to 17.3 million, 16% (2.7 million) are in IPC Phase 4 (Severe); 22% (3.8 million) are in IPC Phase 3 (Moderate), and 38% (6.6 million) are in IPC Phase 2 (Mild). The remaining 24% of the population (4.2 million) are in IPC Phase 1 (Minimal).

Six and a half million people do not have adequate energy in their diet: 2.7 million for four or more months a year (Severe CFI), and 3.8 million, between two and four months a year (Moderate FCI). The population that inhabits these households is characterized by low purchasing power; its situation is aggravated by the constant increase in food prices, which is reflected in the consumption of a low quality diet, which in turn produces high rates of malnutrition, especially chronic malnutrition. At IPC Phase 2, the population has access to a proper diet in quantity, but not always in quality.

LIMITING AND UNDERLYING FACTORS

The most important factors limiting food security at the national level are the institutional processes related to the implementation of policies. There are deficiencies in the public management system that determine the achievement of the goals, although there are financial resources for this, due to the low continuity of the programs. Biological utilization and access to food are limiting factors in 15 departments and recurring risks are limiting factors in 14 departments.

In addition to the factors already mentioned, other limiting factors are identified, such as: financial capital in 12 departments; livelihood strategies and human capital in 11 departments; physical and natural capital in 4 departments; unusual crises in 2 departments; and social capital, which affects only the department of Chiquimula.

The low income level of farmers with little or no land, combined with the high seasonal prices of staple foods, particularly beans and corn; as well as the extreme poverty that affects most of the homes, are other limiting factors that must be taken into account, according to the reality of each department.

Regarding recurrent or habitual risks, during the analyzed period, the drought in 2009, 2012 to 2016, affected the 17 departments located in the so-called Dry Corridor, causing crop losses, mainly of basic grains (corn and bean). In addition, the coffee rust in the 2011/2012 agricultural year and the loss of cardamom productivity due to pests (thrips infestation) in the 2014/2015 agricultural year, affected the owners of farms and the families of day labourers, so that their possibilities of monetary income were reduced, therefore, their also their access to food. In most of the departments, the inhabitants of the communities resorted to coping strategies as mitigation measures to deal with the situation of food insecurity.

According to the protocol established by the IPC, in homes of IPC Phases 3 and 4 (Moderate and Severe CFI), it is necessary to promote urgent, firm and sustained actions to address the underlying factors, increase the quantity, and improve the quality of the diet consumed by the population.

In addition, policies, programs and networks for protection and social security should be implemented, with emphasis on complementary programs to address the underlying factors in order to reduce CFI, prioritizing actions in the most affected departments.