Storm Eta Emergency Response in Guatemala

Nestled in the mountains of Alta Verapaz, Guatemala, is the community of Santa Elena Mamachaj, and its Community Health Center (CHC). In Santa Elena Mamachaj there is no electricity, water, drainage public transport services, and the only state institutions are the schools that remain closed to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Community Health Center.

This health center serves an additional three communities -  Q’anácek, Q’atonike and La Libertad - a total of around 1000 people from which around 60 patients attend the clinic weekly for consultations or treatment of common disease.

Much of the staff, including Neida a nursing assistant, spent much of their time clearing water that leaked in from the deteriorated roof. Additionally, the health center did not have enough water to meet its needs, and as such, a member of staff would often walk four kilometers each way to reach a natural source.

Together with the Health Directorate of Alta Verapaz, IsraAID Guatemala not only provided materials to replace the roof but also installed a water harvesting system to ensure regular & direct access and storage of fresh water.

Santiago Pá Siquic is a nurse from central Guatemala and is responsible for five health facilities in San Juan Chamelco. He plays an active role in improving the activities and infrastructure of these health facilities.

Under normal circumstances, the lack of safe water and drainage makes work difficult, but due to the pandemic, health staff have an increasing number of responsibilities, including visiting communities to vaccinate the local population. For example, the Sehaquibá Community Health Center cannot be open every day as staff may be visiting other communities for a COVID-19 vaccination day. 

As staff carry out their services in the health centers and in communities, Santiago is supporting the teams as they continue to meet the varying health needs of over a thousand people. He thanks IsraAID and its donors for the interventions in the health system of Alta Verapaz. Our WASH (Water, Sanitation & Hygiene) activities in the are not only directly affect the ability of health staff to carry out their duties, but also directly translates into the development of children and their ability to access education.

Thank you for your support while we support community health centers in Guatemala.