Press Release

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), through its Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, has allocated US$7 million in disaster assistance funds to support relief efforts in Guatemala through international humanitarian partner organizations in response to recent storms and floods.

This additional US$7 million in disaster assistance funding for Guatemala will help to provide relief from the flooding, landslides, and loss of livelihoods caused by Eta and Iota.  These funds will scale up current efforts to address immediate food needs, water and sanitation, and shelter in the most affected areas.

U.S. Ambassador to Guatemala William W. Popp said, “These funds will allow for much needed support as Guatemala begins to respond to the devastating effects of these two major storms.  Partners and staff of the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement, and members of our armed services are already on the ground, supporting the people of Guatemala.  These funds will allow them to continue to providing this critical life-saving assistance.”

This assistance comes as part of US$17 million in disaster assistance funds to support relief efforts in  Central America.

USAID is deploying a Disaster-Assistance Response Team (DART) to respond to back-to-back hurricanes in Central America. USAID’s DART is leading the U.S. government’s response to these storms. The team comprises disaster experts from USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, who are assessing damage, identifying needs, and bringing urgently needed assistance to communities affected by these storms. The DART is performing its work in coordination with local authorities and with national and global humanitarian organizations.

https://www.usaid.gov/humanitarian-assistance/hurricanes-iota-eta

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