Guatemala Hosts Workshop on Loss and Damage and Human Mobility in the Context of Disasters and Climate Change

The workshop brought together representatives from various governmental and non-governmental organizations to share experiences on data collection in this context and to address localized impacts of climate change in Guatemalan communities. 

This workshop focused on the experiences, methodologies and evaluation tools used by various sectors to assess the losses and damage caused by climate-related disasters, as well as how these factors connect to displacement and human mobility at the departmental and municipal levels.

The event brought together a wide range of stakeholders including delegates from CONRED (National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction), SEGEPLAN (Planning Secretariat), MARN (Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources) and other government and civil society representatives. 

The workshop allowed participants to share their experiences of collecting data on losses and damage at the territorial level, while also engaging in valuable exchanges of ideas and practices to better assess the impacts of climate change on communities. The discussions centered on the need for integrated, cross-sectoral approaches to manage climate-induced displacement and ensure that the voices of affected populations are heard.

Advocacy Efforts Across Guatemala in the context of PAMAD

In an ongoing effort to address the challenges posed by climate change, displacement, and human mobility, PAMAD (Project to Avert, Minimize and Address Displacement Related to the Effects of Climate Change) –  thanks to the generous support of the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) –  continues to foster vital dialogues across Guatemala and this workshop was a part of these efforts. These discussions aim to strengthen the capacity of national and local actors in responding to displacement in the context of disasters and climate change and its broader impacts.

This session in Chiquimula was preceded by a similar dialogue and workshop held in Izabal on 17 October 2024, which also focused on understanding the local dimensions of climate impacts and the movement of people in the face of disasters. These dialogues are a crucial step toward developing comprehensive strategies for minimizing displacement and enhancing the resilience of vulnerable communities.

As part of PAMAD, these workshops are helping to build a network of institutions and experts dedicated to addressing the interconnected issues of climate change, displacement, and human mobility. Through continued collaboration, PAMAD seeks to better understand the issue of displacement in the context of losses and damage associated with climate change and to support measures aimed at averting, minimizing and addressing displacement and its impacts for vulnerable people and communities.

To learn more about PAMAD and its ongoing efforts to reduce displacement in the context of climate change, visit the project website.

Header photo: gersonmartinez16 (pixabay.com)