Multisitio 2

NUEVA YORK, 4 de marzo de 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Más del 85 por ciento de familias que habitan comunidades rurales del llamado Corredor Seco en Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador y Honduras se encuentran en diferentes niveles de inseguridad alimentaria, según una encuesta de hogares realizada por una coalición de organizaciones humanitarias y de desarrollo, incluida Acción contra el Hambre, que es líder en la lucha mundial contra el hambre. Dos encuestas adicionales llevadas a cabo por la organización en Colombia y Perú también indican niveles alarmantemente altos de hambre como consecuencia de la pandemia de la COVID-19.

Incluso antes de la pandemia, más del 39% de las personas en Centroamérica se encontraban en situación de inseguridad alimentaria y los nuevos datos sugieren que la pandemia y las condiciones meteorológicas extremas podrían hacer que ese porcentaje se triplique en amplias zonas de la región.

«Aunque América Latina tiene más de 19 millones de casos confirmados de COVID-19, las personas a las que ayudamos dicen que le tienen más miedo al hambre que al virus», contó Miguel García, el director regional de Acción contra el Hambre en Centroamérica. «En los peores momentos de los confinamientos aplicados, aquellas personas que dependían de trabajos diarios informales perdieron sus ingresos debido a las restricciones de circulación. En los mercados, los alimentos son cada vez más costosos debido a las consecuencias comerciales y económicas de la pandemia». 

El Corredor Seco se extiende desde Nicaragua hasta Guatemala e incluye partes de El Salvador y Honduras, donde, según el Programa Mundial de Alimentos, al menos 1,4 millones de personas necesitan asistencia alimentaria. Acción contra el Hambre y ONG socias encuestaron miles de hogares de esta región en octubre y noviembre de 2020. En una muestra de 3700 hogares, el 86% de las familias vivían con distinto grado de inseguridad alimentaria.

Además del daño socioeconómico causado por la pandemia, se añaden las repercusiones de las graves sequías de 2018 y 2019, junto con los huracanes Iota y Eta, que azotaron la región en noviembre de 2020 y provocaron desplazamientos de población y la pérdida de cosechas. Las familias en situación de pobreza extrema y hambre se endeudaron, recurrieron a préstamos de sus familias o amigos, o pusieron en venta sus escasas posesiones.

«Los programas de protección social por parte de los Estados para las personas en peor situación socioeconómica pueden impedir que millones de personas caigan en la miseria. No obstante, la cobertura de estos programas es extremadamente dispar en la región, por lo que millones de personas no reciben la ayuda mínima que necesitan para cubrir necesidades básicas como es la alimentación más esencial», explicó García.

Acción contra el Hambre y ONG socias, con el apoyo de la Unión Europea, crearon una red de asistencia para proporcionar ayuda alimentaria y evitar que más de 50 000 personas en comunidades rurales del Corredor Seco alcancen niveles de hambre de emergencia.

Algunos datos nuevos adicionales indican que también aumentaron los niveles de pobreza y de hambre en Colombia y en Perú. En otra encuesta realizada a 34 000 familias de Colombia, el 98% afirmó no poder cubrir todas sus necesidades básicas, incluyendo alimentación y vivienda. Las condiciones de hacinamiento entre las familias de migrantes también aumentan la posibilidad de transmisión de la COVID-19. La encuesta a colombianos, venezolanos y personas con doble nacionalidad que viven en Colombia fue realizada por Acción contra el Hambre y sus ONG socias durante el transcurso de la pandemia, desde abril de 2020 hasta enero de 2021.

«Más del 58% declaró vivir en condiciones de hacinamiento», afirmó John Orlando, el director país de Acción contra el Hambre en Colombia. «En el 13% de los casos, hasta cinco personas debían compartir un dormitorio pequeño».

En Perú, los ingresos familiares se redujeron un promedio del 33%. Las llamadas «ollas comunes» (cocinas comunitarias autogestionadas, generalmente por mujeres) se han convertido en la forma de escapar del hambre para miles de peruanos.

«Según nuestra encuesta realizada a 222 familias que viven en la zona metropolitana de Lima, a 8 de cada 10 familias se les redujeron los ingresos. Tres de cada cuatro partes de la población encuestada se encuentran en situación de inseguridad alimentaria. Las familias venezolanas, muchas de las cuales llegaron buscando refugio en los últimos años, se vieron particularmente afectadas», señaló América Arias, directora país de Acción contra el Hambre en Perú. «La reducción de hierro e la dieta, algo fundamental para combatir la anemia es especialmente preocupante».

La asistencia en efectivo es una de las intervenciones humanitarias más efectivas en esta crisis. «Por un lado, es una alternativa digna, que le da la opción de elegir a las familias cómo atender sus necesidades más urgentes», comentó Orlando. «Los programas de transferencias de efectivo bien gestionados también permiten a los más vulnerables participar en la economía local. Esta inyección de dinero en efectivo en el mercado también fortalece las economías locales de las comunidades en las que viven estas familias».

Acción contra el Hambre necesita 78 millones de euros de la comunidad internacional para financiar su respuesta regional que se articula en tres ejes de acción:

• Ayuda humanitaria para las familias mediante la provisión de alimentos y dinero en efectivo, un tratamiento contra la desnutrición, además de productos de higiene y equipos de protección para la prevención de la COVID-19.
• Ayuda comunitaria a través del fortalecimiento de los sistemas de salud y clínicas, y el apoyo a pequeñas empresas para estimular la creación de empleo.
• Recopilación y análisis de datos para evaluar los distintos desencadenantes del hambre a nivel local y adaptar las intervenciones con socios locales.

«Queremos crear una red de protección de último recurso para miles de personas que pasan hambre como consecuencia de la pandemia. Estamos tratando de mejorar la alimentación y el acceso al agua, y ayudarles a las personas a recuperar sus medios de vida. Vamos a trabajar sin descanso para lograrlo», afirmó Benedetta Lettera, responsable de los programas de Acción contra el Hambre en América Latina.

Más detalles

Acción contra el Hambre realizó tres encuestas distintas para medir el aumento del hambre en América Latina:

• En Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador y Honduras, Acción contra el Hambre, junto con nuestras ONG socias, Oxfam, COOPI, Trócaire y We World-GVC, encuestó a 3700 familias entre el 20 de octubre y el 13 de noviembre de 2020.
• En Colombia, 34 000 colombianos, venezolanos y personas con doble nacionalidad fueron encuestados por teléfono o personalmente entre abril de 2020 y enero de 2021. Este estudio fue realizado por Acción contra el Hambre, el Consejo Danés para Refugiados y el Consejo Noruego para Refugiados.
• Por último, 222 familias que viven en la zona metropolitana de Lima en Perú fueron encuestadas por Acción contra el Hambre entre el 14 de septiembre y el 11 de diciembre de 2020.

Acerca de Acción contra el Hambre

Acción contra el Hambre es especialista mundial en el hambre y líder de un movimiento internacional que tiene como objetivo acabar con el hambre de riesgo vital para siempre en nuestras vidas. Desde hace más de 40 años, la organización humanitaria y de desarrollo ha estado al frente del tratamiento y la prevención del hambre en aproximadamente 50 países. Solo en el año 2019, ayudó a más de 17 millones de personas.

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/452004/Action_Against_Hunger_Logo.jpg

 

FUENTE Action Against Hunger

NEW YORK, March 4, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — More than 85 percent of families living in rural areas across Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras face food insecurity, according to a household survey conducted by a coalition of humanitarian and development organizations, including Action Against Hunger, a leader in the global fight against hunger. Two additional surveys conducted by the organization in Colombia and Peru also indicate alarmingly high levels of hunger as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Even before the pandemic, more than 39% of people in Central America suffered from food insecurity, and new data suggests the pandemic and extreme weather could cause this number to triple in many parts of this region.

«Although Latin America has more than 19 million confirmed cases of COVID-19, the people we serve say they are more afraid of hunger than the virus,» said Miguel García, Action Against Hunger’s Regional Director for Central America. «Those who depended on informal daily labor have lost their incomes because of movement restrictions. In the markets, food is increasingly expensive because of the pandemic’s economic and commercial consequences.»  

One of the most critical areas is known as the Dry Corridor, which extends from Nicaragua to Guatemala and includes parts of El Salvador and Honduras, where the World Food Program says at least 1.4 million people are in need of food assistance. Action Against Hunger and its partners surveyed thousands of households in this region in October and November 2020. In one sample of 3,700 homes, 86% of families were experiencing food insecurity.

Adding to the socioeconomic damage caused by the pandemic are the impacts of severe drought in 2018 and 2019, along with hurricanes Iota and Eta, which hit the region in November 2020 and caused displacement and crop loss. Families faced with extreme poverty and hunger have gone into debt, resorted to borrowing from family or friends, or are selling their scarce possessions.

«Government protection programs for people in the worst socioeconomic situations can prevent millions of people from falling into misery. Yet, the roll out of these programs has been extremely uneven across the region, and millions of people not getting the support they need, including nutritious food,» García explained.

Action Against Hunger and its partners, with the support of the European Union, has set up a support network that has provided food assistance and prevented more than 50,000 people in rural communities in the Dry Corridor from reaching emergency hunger levels.

Additional new data shows increasing poverty and hunger in Colombia and Peru as well. In a separate survey of 34,000 families in Colombia, 98% said they could not meet all of their basic needs, including food and housing. The tight living conditions among migrant families also increases the potential spread of COVID-19. The survey of Colombians, Venezuelans and bi-nationals living in Colombia was conducted by Action Against Hunger and its partners over the course of the pandemic, from April 2020 through January 2021.

«More than 58% reported living in overcrowded conditions,» said John Orlando, Country Director for Action Against Hunger in Colombia. «13% of the time, as many as five people are forced to share a tiny bedroom.»

In Peru, household incomes have fallen by an average of 33%. The «common pots» (or «ollas communes») – self-managed community kitchens that are primarily run by women – have become an escape from hunger for thousands of Peruvians.

«According to our survey of 222 families in metropolitan Lima, 8 out of 10 families saw their incomes fall. Three out of four of those surveyed are food insecure. Venezuelan families, large numbers of whom have arrived seeking refuge in recent years, are particularly impacted,» América Arias, Country Director for Action Against Hunger in Peru, noted. «Especially worrying is reduced iron in diets, which is key to fighting anemia.»

Cash assistance is one of the most effective humanitarian interventions in this crisis. «On the one hand, it is a dignified alternative, which gives people the option of how to address their most urgent needs,» said Orlando. «Well-run cash transfer programs also allow the most vulnerable to engage with the local economy. This injection of cash in the marketplace also strengthens the local economies in the communities where these families live.»

Action Against Hunger is calling for $78 million from the international community to fund its three-pronged regional response that includes:

• Humanitarian relief for families by providing food and cash assistance, treatment for malnutrition, as well as hygiene materials and protective equipment for COVID-19 prevention.
• Community support by strengthening health systems and clinics and small business support to stimulate job creation.
• Data collection and analysis to assess the distinctive drivers of hunger on a local level and tailor interventions with local partners.

«We want to step up as a safety net of last resort for the thousands of people who are going hungry as a result of the pandemic. We are trying to improve nutrition and access to water, and help people get their livelihoods back. We’re going to work tirelessly to achieve this,» said Benedetta Lettera, Desk Officer for Action Against Hunger’s programs in Latin America.

More Details

Action Against Hunger conducted three separate surveys to measure growing hunger in Latin America:

• In Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras, Action Against Hunger, together with our partners, Oxfam, COOPI, Trócaire, and We World-GVC, surveyed 3,700 families between October 20 – November 13, 2020.
• In Columbia, 34,000 Colombians, Venezuelans and bi-nationals were surveyed by phone or in person between April 2020 through January 2021. This study was conducted by Action Against Hunger, Danish Refugee Council, and Norwegian Refugee Council.
• Finally, 222 families in metropolitan Lima, Peru, were surveyed by Action Against Hunger between September 14 – December 11, 2020

About Action Against Hunger

Action Against Hunger is the world’s hunger specialist and leader in a global movement that aims to end life-threatening hunger for good within our lifetimes. For more than 40 years, the humanitarian and development organization has been on the front lines, treating and preventing hunger across nearly 50 countries. It served more than 17 million people in 2019 alone.

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/452004/Action_Against_Hunger_Logo.jpg

 

SOURCE Action Against Hunger

NEW YORK, March 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — More than 85 percent of families living in rural areas across Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras face food insecurity, according to a household survey conducted by a coalition of humanitarian and development organizations, including Action Against Hunger, a leader in the global fight against hunger. Two additional surveys conducted by the organization in Colombia and Peru also indicate alarmingly high levels of hunger as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Even before the pandemic, more than 39% of people in Central America suffered from food insecurity, and new data suggests the pandemic and extreme weather could cause this number to triple in many parts of this region.

«Although Latin America has more than 19 million confirmed cases of COVID-19, the people we serve say they are more afraid of hunger than the virus,» said Miguel García, Action Against Hunger’s Regional Director for Central America. «Those who depended on informal daily labor have lost their incomes because of movement restrictions. In the markets, food is increasingly expensive because of the pandemic’s economic and commercial consequences.»  

One of the most critical areas is known as the Dry Corridor, which extends from Nicaragua to Guatemala and includes parts of El Salvador and Honduras, where the World Food Program says at least 1.4 million people are in need of food assistance. Action Against Hunger and its partners surveyed thousands of households in this region in October and November 2020. In one sample of 3,700 homes, 86% of families were experiencing food insecurity.

Adding to the socioeconomic damage caused by the pandemic are the impacts of severe drought in 2018 and 2019, along with hurricanes Iota and Eta, which hit the region in November 2020 and caused displacement and crop loss. Families faced with extreme poverty and hunger have gone into debt, resorted to borrowing from family or friends, or are selling their scarce possessions.

«Government protection programs for people in the worst socioeconomic situations can prevent millions of people from falling into misery. Yet, the roll out of these programs has been extremely uneven across the region, and millions of people not getting the support they need, including nutritious food,» García explained.

Action Against Hunger and its partners, with the support of the European Union, has set up a support network that has provided food assistance and prevented more than 50,000 people in rural communities in the Dry Corridor from reaching emergency hunger levels.

Additional new data shows increasing poverty and hunger in Colombia and Peru as well. In a separate survey of 34,000 families in Colombia, 98% said they could not meet all of their basic needs, including food and housing. The tight living conditions among migrant families also increases the potential spread of COVID-19. The survey of Colombians, Venezuelans and bi-nationals living in Colombia was conducted by Action Against Hunger and its partners over the course of the pandemic, from April 2020 through January 2021.

«More than 58% reported living in overcrowded conditions,» said John Orlando, Country Director for Action Against Hunger in Colombia. «13% of the time, as many as five people are forced to share a tiny bedroom.»

In Peru, household incomes have fallen by an average of 33%. The «common pots» (or «ollas communes») – self-managed community kitchens that are primarily run by women – have become an escape from hunger for thousands of Peruvians.

«According to our survey of 222 families in metropolitan Lima, 8 out of 10 families saw their incomes fall. Three out of four of those surveyed are food insecure. Venezuelan families, large numbers of whom have arrived seeking refuge in recent years, are particularly impacted,» América Arias, Country Director for Action Against Hunger in Peru, noted. «Especially worrying is reduced iron in diets, which is key to fighting anemia.»

Cash assistance is one of the most effective humanitarian interventions in this crisis. «On the one hand, it is a dignified alternative, which gives people the option of how to address their most urgent needs,» said Orlando. «Well-run cash transfer programs also allow the most vulnerable to engage with the local economy. This injection of cash in the marketplace also strengthens the local economies in the communities where these families live.»

Action Against Hunger is calling for $78 million from the international community to fund its three-pronged regional response that includes:

• Humanitarian relief for families by providing food and cash assistance, treatment for malnutrition, as well as hygiene materials and protective equipment for COVID-19 prevention.
• Community support by strengthening health systems and clinics and small business support to stimulate job creation.
• Data collection and analysis to assess the distinctive drivers of hunger on a local level and tailor interventions with local partners.

«We want to step up as a safety net of last resort for the thousands of people who are going hungry as a result of the pandemic. We are trying to improve nutrition and access to water, and help people get their livelihoods back. We’re going to work tirelessly to achieve this,» said Benedetta Lettera, Desk Officer for Action Against Hunger’s programs in Latin America.

More Details

Action Against Hunger conducted three separate surveys to measure growing hunger in Latin America:

• In Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras, Action Against Hunger, together with our partners, Oxfam, COOPI, Trócaire, and We World-GVC, surveyed 3,700 families between October 20 – November 13, 2020.
• In Columbia, 34,000 Colombians, Venezuelans and bi-nationals were surveyed by phone or in person between April 2020 through January 2021. This study was conducted by Action Against Hunger, Danish Refugee Council, and Norwegian Refugee Council.
• Finally, 222 families in metropolitan Lima, Peru, were surveyed by Action Against Hunger between September 14 – December 11, 2020

About Action Against Hunger

Action Against Hunger is the world’s hunger specialist and leader in a global movement that aims to end life-threatening hunger for good within our lifetimes. For more than 40 years, the humanitarian and development organization has been on the front lines, treating and preventing hunger across nearly 50 countries. It served more than 17 million people in 2019 alone.

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SOURCE Action Against Hunger