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Deadly Earthquake:
On November 7, an earthquake struck Guatemala, claiming 52 lives and affecting more than 1.2 million people. As part of our disaster preparedness strategy, we awarded our partner in Guatemala a $10,000 grant to purchase and pre-position emergency supplies. As a result, personal hygiene kits and emergency supplies were quickly made available to hundreds of people displaced by the earthquake. More aid is underway.
Decades of civil war has taken a toll on Guatemala, including its health care system and economy. Among the poorest countries in Latin America, the World Bank estimates that 3 out of 4 Guatemalans live in poverty. Impoverished families with limited access to health care suffer needlessly from otherwise preventable and treatable diseases.
While progress has been made on vaccination rates and life expectancy has increased, there is still work to be done. Nearly 1/3 of pregnant women don't get the nutrition they need to have healthy babies, contributing to high infant mortality rates. Chronic malnutrition afflicts nearly half of Guatemala's children under five years of age, increasing their risk of serious developmental delays and diseases. Investment in health care relies heavily on external resources — and AmeriCares recognizes the need on the ground.
Recent Aid to Guatemala
Recent aid to Guatemala includes medicines and supplies for people suffering from pain, injuries and serious infections, skin infections and burns, diabetes, respiratory infections, chronic disease, gastrointestinal ailments, malnutrition.
Read More About Guatemala:
Emergency Response and Disaster Relief
AmeriCares and the Guatemalan Association of the Order of Malta work closely together in times of disaster to bring lifesaving aid to men, women and children in need. In 2005, Hurricane Stan's devastating impact on Guatemala prompted AmeriCares to immediately deliver essential medicines, first aid supplies and hygiene products for the relief effort.
AmeriCares also funded a post-emergency rehabilitation project in the hard hit area of Santiago Atitlán. This recovery project entailed vital community-based initiatives in healthcare worker training, stocking shelters with medicines and supplies, monitoring shelter water supplies and building the capacity of local health authorities to help community leaders plan for reconstruction of their community.
Medical and Humanitarian Aid
Since 1986, AmeriCares has delivered nearly half a billion dollars worth of medical aid and humanitarian relief. Today, AmeriCares works with the Guatemalan Association of the Order of Malta to ensure ongoing medical assistance is delivered to the Association's network of approximately 300 health and social service institutions. With half of all Guatemalans lacking access to essential medicines, this aid is vital. AmeriCares delivers critical medicines, medical supplies and other aid to hospitals, clinics, nutritional centers, medical outreach brigades, children's homes and homes for the elderly. The wide variety of prescription and over-the-counter medicines, diagnostics, medical devices and supplies, and nutritional supplements help healthcare providers better serve their patients.
Help AmeriCares save lives in Guatemala and around the world »
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