Guatemala Floods - Oxfam Canada 2011

3 November 2011 - Since the first week of October large parts of Central America have experienced torrential rains leading to severe flooding and landslides in several countries. In Guatemala an estimated 550 000 people have been affected by the flooding with almost 8 000 homes destroyed and 38 deaths. Access to safe water has been interrupted in many rural areas while many communities do not have the required equipment to treat contaminated water. In terms of health the rainfall and flooding has resulted in increased cases of respiratory problems especially among children and elderly people as well as diarrhoea and skin fungus infections in affected areas. In addition damage to bridges and roads has hindered the supply of emergency aid to more remote communities. With CIDA support Oxfam Canada aims to work to meet the water sanitation health and hygiene needs of flood-affected households in the Guatemalan departments of Chimaltengango and Suchitepequez. Specific activities include: the distribution of water filters and water containers to ensure safe water consumption and storage in flood-affected households; the repairing and cleaning of flood damaged wells; the distribution of essential hygiene items and mosquito nets to affected families to meet their health and hygiene needs; and the provision of health hygiene and sanitation promotion and training activities to flood-affected communities.

Expected outputs include: the distribution of water filters and water containers to ensure safe water consumption and storage in flood-affected households; the repairing and cleaning of flood damaged wells; the distribution of essential hygiene items and mosquito nets to affected families to meet their health and hygiene needs; and the provision of health hygiene and sanitation promotion and training activities to flood-affected communities. The expected intermediate outcome is reduced vulnerability of flood-affected people especially women and children.