COMMUNITIES PREPARED AND ORGANIZED TO PREVENT AND RESPOND TO DISASTERS
On October 9, we participated in a meeting with personnel from the National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction’s Executive Department (SE-CONRED), as a part of the Guatemala 1006 Alert: Flood Anticipation Project, supported by Start Network through the Start Fund. This gathering, held within the framework of the Guatemala Hub, aimed to explore the methodology for establishing Local Disaster Reduction Coordinators (COLRED) and community accreditation and verification processes linked to risk management.
The communities of Aldea Chioya, Sheche, Sacristal, and Setaña were part of this initial process, aiming to strengthen their local organizational structures as the basis for prevention, timely response, and the sustainability of anticipatory actions.
COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP FOR DISASTER PREVENTION AND RESILIENCE
On October 9, we met with local leaders in Setaña, Chioya, Sehache, and Sacristal at the Chioya School to partake in a sensitization workshop focused on prevention and disaster risk reduction. During the session, we highlighted the importance of community organization and training for timely responses to the effects of the rainy season.
Community leaders shared experiences, identified local risks, and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening their Local Disaster Reduction Coordinators as key spaces for resilience and preventative actions. This activity is part of the Guatemala 1006 Alert Project, which focuses on flood anticipation and is supported by Start Network through the Start Fund, within the framework of the Guatemala Hub.
CADENA INITIATIVE FINAL AT PLANTEL AZTECA
On October 17, we held the CADENA Initiative Final at Plantel Azteca, where first-grade students presented the projects they designed to address real problems in their communities. During the session, participant teams shared innovative ideas aimed at creating sustainable and socially impactful solutions. We are proud of the effort and sensitivity of our participants, as well as the guidance provided by their teachers and mentors.
Congratulations to the winning teams:
1st place: PLASTICALLES – Jason Stheven Mayorga Barrios and Arnoldo Kadmiel García Méndez
2nd place: Launching one more chance – Merelin Pamela Vicente Pelén and Lindsay Candace Alarcón Ramírez
3rd place: Helping different people – Esteban Andrés Ortiz Pernillo and Erick Alexander Soto Rivas
WE PARTICIPATED IN THE GUATEMALA HUB TO STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY RESILIENCE
On October 29, we participated in the Guatemala Hub meeting in the city of Antigua Guatemala. This is a key joint space to strengthen community capacities in drought anticipation. During the session, we worked collaboratively on elaborating contingency plans, as well as participation and coordination mechanisms between Hub members.
We also defined collaboration routes for Disaster Risk Financing System projects to ensure timely, contextualized, and community-centered responses in the most vulnerable communities.
WE IMPLEMENTED THE GUATEMALA 1006 ALERT IN ALTA VERAPAZ
From October 28 to 30, our CADENA Jewish Community of Guatemala, in partnership with CADENA Mexico volunteers, coordinated with community leaders in Setaña, Chioya, Sehache, and Sacristal, in Alta Verapaz, to prevent risks and strengthen community organization.
Over 3,000 people were directly benefited by this humanitarian intervention, where we provided tools to anticipate flooding and face the rainy season.
Among our main actions, we delivered 600 food kits, 600 family hygiene kits, 40 personal protection kits for COLREDES members, and installed 4 water harvesting, storage, and filtration systems, along with training sessions for their correct use. We also provided medical consultations, free medication, and supplies for community health points.
Additionally, we held community organization and risk management workshops, strengthening local leadership to act in anticipation of flooding and other disasters.
We are grateful for the support of Start Network and Hub Guatemala, through the Start Fund, as well as the tireless efforts of our local and international volunteers.
