Storm Eta Emergency Response in Guatemala

Since March 2020 Guatemala is also badly impacted by the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. After a peak in August and September 2021 in new cases, new infection rates went down considerably but since January figures shot up again almost reaching the highest number of new infections yet. The health sector in Guatemala remains structurally underfunded and the additional stress and longer working hours caused by the pandemic also have a negative impact on the well-being of medical staff leading to increased drop-out.

Though schools have been closed since March 2020, in practice, children and parents come to schools to meet teachers and obtain tasks for working at home. IsraAID has been working in the departments of Escuintla and Alta Verapaz and has built up good relationships with both the Ministries of Health and Education in both departments. IsraAID has been supporting the training of teachers and health staff, public health campaigns, provision of PPE, and stimulating coordination between civil society actors. A cold-chain assessment was carried out in Escuintla where IsraAID also offered psychosocial support to first-line health workers.

Schools play such an important role in helping parents understand their child’s nutritional status and help establish healthy eating habits and healthy behaviors. It became very evident through IsraAID's nutrition education program in the schools in Guatemala that the public craves more information; they want to understand how to improve their health and prevent diseases by modifying their habits. Health education empowers children, parents, and teachers with the knowledge and skills to make decisions for themselves and their families.

This nutrition program identified schools as an essential partner to be involved in the referral pathway for a child to reach the necessary support from a healthcare practitioner. Schools are an ideal aid to link the family structure and the health care system.  The implementation of this referral pathway will not only aid in the early diagnosis of malnourished children but will also make a big difference in their outcome and development for a brighter future.