Why Guatemala?

Guatemala and Central America

Some data

• “Maya Culture Heart”

• Inhabitants: 14.4 millions, at least 23 ethnic groups.

• A middle income country: GNI US$ 2,740 per capita.

• 50.9% lives on US$2 or less per day.

• 15.2% lives on US$1 or less per day.

Some data

• 20% of inhabitants control 60.3% of national income.

• Another 20% control 2.9% of national income.

• 8% own 80% of the more productive land.

• Government invests 6.69% of GNI in social security.

• 19.3% of children have acute malnutrition (it could be over 50% in rural and indigenous areas).

As result of this …

What CA is supporting …

• A regional program: Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua.

• A 12-person team.

• Working on Secure Livelihood, Tax Justice and Governance.

• Working with 9 partners on Guatemala.

What CA is supporting …

• An equal tax justice framework.

• Advocacy for more investment on food security and rural development.

• People participation on policies and in the decision- making process.

• To build resilient communities.

Challenges …

• Insecurity and drug traffic.

• Influence of army in government is increasing again.

• A “hard hand” government vs. human rights.

• Historical inequality (ethnic groups, rural areas, women)

• Region is not a priority for international cooperation.

• Economic growth without benefits for the poorest.

• How to take advantages from basic grains as cash crops.

• To change the traditional role of private sector in relation to development.

If you want to know more …

• http://hdr.undp.org/en/ for human development reports.

• http://iiars.org/ for historical racism and inequality.

• http://www.icefi.org/ for tax justice.

• http://www.congcoop.org.gt/ how to influence food security and rural development policies.

• http://www.ciidh.org/ human rights situation.

• http://mesarrd.blogspot.com/ a blog about risk management and resilience.

• http://madreselva.org.gt/ practical actions to protect the environment.

This could be the future of Guatemala…