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Growing Healthier CWS Regional Program for

Food and Nutritional Security in Central America

Newsletter

June 2013

Latest news

Nicaragua

Land conflict in the Atlantic coast of Nicaragua

The Human Rights Commission hopes to start a new dialoguebetween Honduran and Nicaraguan farmers who continue a long-standing feud over land issues.Hurricane Mitch changed the geography of the border region in

1998 and increased tensions even more between Miskito com-munities in the Nicaraguan region and Honduran farmers on theborder. The two groups are now petitioning authorities to inter-vene and find a solution to the problem, which continues tocause armed clashes and endanger the life and security of peoplein the communities.

The Miskito have been struggling for territorial rights for centuries and urging agrarian reform as ameans to end the ongoing disputes.

Inter oceanic channel construction in Nicaragua.

The Nicaraguan government has signed a 50-year deal with a Chinese corporation to build and man-age a massive US$40-billion canal project that will link the Caribbean, Atlantic and Pacific oceans.The contract to develop the Inter-Oceanic Nicaraguan Canal includes a clause to extend the agree-ment for a second 50-year period. During the signing ceremony, the executive director of the Chinese

corporation HKND, Wang , expressed his commitment to the Nicaragua project and invited the coun-trys business sector to visit China and see the companys work in Asia.In addition to a canal across Nicaragua, the project includes the development of train and airport fa-cilities, two deep-water ports and two free trade zones where companies can operate without payingtaxes. more information

Honduras

Health emergency affecting many regions of the country.

The president of Honduras Porfirio Lobo is considering whether to declare a state of emergency in 12of the countrys 18 states due to the dramatic increase in the cases of dengue fever during the rainyseason. The president will announce his decision at the next meeting of the Ministers Council in

Choluteca next week.So far this year the country has had 7,614 cases of the mosquito-borne fever reported, up significantlyfrom 5,000 cases reported in the same period last year. The regions of Cortes, Francisco Morazan,Olancho, Choluteca, Atlntida, Colon, Comayagua and Ocotepeque are the most affected.

Sixty per cent of those affected by the virus are children under 14 years old. If the situation continues,

there could be as many as 9,000 cases of dengue in 2013 unless authorities can get a grip on the prob-lem. The immediate response should include at least a campaign to diminish the prevalence of themosquito, eliminating water tanks with no covering or protection against the mosquito reproduction.

Guatemala

The 43th general Assembly of the Organization of American States took place June 4-6 in Antigua,Guatemala.

The 34 states at the assembly included representation from 26 chancellors, 3 vice chancellors and 5

ambassadors. The group discussed more than a dozen themes, including drug trafficking, gay mar-riage and abortion.

A recent study about the reality of drugs in Latin America was the main theme discussed during thesession. Organization of American States OAS, general secretary Jose Miguel Insulza said the assem-bly is historical because it is the first step in the debate against drugs in the Americas, a discussion

considered taboo in the past years. Now we hope we can start the debate.

The assembly sparked protests from those opposed to legalizing abortion or permitting gay marriage.

The four-day meeting also launched discussions in the Guatemalan media about the controversial

topics that were discussed by participating countries at the assembly.

Food Security situation

Guatemala

The rainy season started on time, allowing farmers to plant corn and vegetables to combat the lossfrom the last season of harvest. Weather conditions are good in the western areas of the country forthe first planting season and the prices of basic grains are stable, permitting small producers and fami-

lies in the countryside to save for the next period.

Food insecurity will be minimal in most areas of the country. The rise in the price of meat will limitavailability for many families, and the countrys president is advising the population to eat more basic

grains and herbs. Guatemala is expecting protection from the rise of the prices from the government.The agricultural Minister is offering to promote a regulation in the production and commercializationof the beef meat, to offer a fear price. Recently the news media announced lack of basic grains whilethe government denies the situation.

Honduras

There is a normal rain distribution for the present period in most of the country, allowing farmers tocontinue with growing crops. It is anticipated that dry season will be minimal compared with the lastyear.

Some regions of the country are being affected more than others by a long dry season due to climatechange. In particular, the Morazn region and the center of the country will continue to suffer fromthe lack of rain and this could cause a rise in the prices of basic grains. The west and central parts ofthe country are experiencing a rise in precipitation, and the authorities are counselling people toavoid some agricultural activities due to the heavy rain which can affect the crops and destroy delicateplants. This could affect the harvest for the next period in several regions.

Nicaragua

The dry corridor is beginning to suffer the effects of a late start to the rainy season that will definitely

have an impact on crop development and the timing for the next planting season. The Atlantic coast

is experiencing adequate rainfall expected to continue until the late December. A fungus known as la

roya continues to affect the coffee harvest and has diminished this years production by at least 30%.

Growing Healthier CWS Food Security Program in Central America latest

News

Nicaragua

A forum in El Salvador brought delegates from Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua together toshare their thoughts on a better response to food insecurity in their countries.

The theme of the week-long event was Promotion and Development of Local Capacities To Contrib-ute To Improving Food Security in Central America. Participants included Carolina Hernndez andManuel Artola from AMC (Christian Medical Action), and Carlos Aguirre and Maryan Guzmn fromCIEETS both organizations from Nicaragua and counterparts of CWS.

AMC and CIEETS share their experience in the food security programs , from the situation of thecommunities they work with, the strategy to assist the basic needs of the families, monitoring processand the results in many regions where they have work for many years.

Each delegation presented on their area of work. The Nicaragua delegation highlighted areas for

action: skills development and living conditions; legal framework in food security; prevention andadaptation; communication.

Guatemala

In a recent visit to Nebaj Quiche, Roberto Muj and Domingo Lpez delivered a new water tank for 5families who are almost ready for their first harvest of tomatoes and chili pepper thanks to the support

of CWS and FRB (Foods Resource Bank) in building the greenhouse back in march this year.

Margarita Hermoso, leader of the group, says she is very satisfied with the improvements resultingfrom this greenhouse, and that the extra effort to care for the plants is worth.

Honduras

CASM awarded with the National Environment Prize in Honduras.

The Comision de Accion Social Menonita (CASM) has been awarded the prestigious National Prizefor the Environment.

One of 25 organizations nominated for the award, CASM won in the institutional category for itsproject focused on the protection of natural resources and the watershed in 4 communities located in

the Honduran state of Lempira: La Campa, San Marcos de Caiquin, San Manuel de Colohete and SanSebastian.The award was presented in a June 5 ceremony in Tegucigalpa, the countrys capital.

The project, "Protection of the watershed and food security focused in the management of naturalresources and citizen participation," included a monetary award of 100,000 lempiras ($5,000) to beput toward the initiative and to encourage participants to continue the work after the project ends.

Zeyda Urqua, Regional Coordinator for CASM La Campa, said the award is a tremendous honor thatwill motivate the CASM team and the four communities to continue efforts to protect and enhance the

environment in the area.

The prize is an initiative from the Honduras Natural Resources Secretary and Cervecera Hondurea,

a major brewery in the country that has been promoting this award since 1998.

CWS and its four local partner organizations in Central America are working together in food

security and nutrition programs to promote alternatives to eradicating malnutrition, especially

of children five and under. The organizations work in some of the most vulnerable areas of the

Central America region." For more information, please visit our new interactive map at

http://www.cwslac.org/maps/pressan-en/

More information:

Nancy VsquezComunicadora Pressancomunicacionpressan@gmail.com

With the support of:

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