Red Cross in Central America

Red Cross in

Central America

www.ifrc.org Saving lives, changing minds.

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

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The Nicaraguan Red Cross is training individuals and seismic and environmental disasters, to become facilitators in the processes for disaster preparedness at the community level.

Nicaraguan Red Cross Cover photo: Psychosocial support.

Red Cross in

Central America Economic and Social Facts

Central America is composed of six countries: Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama, with perspectives are favourable, the region is still one of the most al i are based on vulnerabilities that have accumulated over untry. A ly, decades in each n t four decades resulted in an estimated 250,000 people dead or missing, as well as millions of dollars in losses and damage to the region’s ies.

IFRC

Country Homicide Rate

Northern Triangle of Central America

1st quarter 2016 Number per 100,000 people

Homicide Rate 100 80 40 20 0

El Salvador Honduras

81.2 Guatemala

59

27.3

Source: Global Study on Homicide. UNODC 2013

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

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Humanitarian Trends

Health Outlook

Central America has become one of the most violent and insecure regions in the world, particularly El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. Violence associated with organized crime and drug trafficking are among the chief factors that are increasing humanitarian needs.

Sixty per cent of the 46 million people living in Central America are overweight or obese, which adds to high levels of noncommunicable (chronic) diseases within the population and impacts national health services and local economies.

The region has been a focus of migration for generations, characterized by rural-to-urban and regional migration, as well as emigration abroad, particularly to the United States. A relative unknown in hemispheric migration matters until recent decades, Central America transformed from a minor to a major player, in recent years. The region has become a geographic bridge to North America for migrants from South America seeking to enter the United States, while Mexico has become the main transit country for Central Americans heading north.

In short, Central America has many migratory streams flowing through it.

Nevertheless, migration does not affect the region uniformly, and there is a need to respond to the needs of migrant populations during humanitarian crises as well as their longer-term development needs, ensuring the dignity of women, children and elderly people.

A total of 208,600 people live with HIV in Central America, and AIDS related death is one of the top ten causes of death in Guatemala, Honduras and Panama.

Vector-borne diseases impact the Central American population every year, in 2014 alone Dengue, which is endemic to the region, caused more than 26 fatalities and affected more than 40,000 people in the region. In addition, the region has seen outbreaks of chikungunya and more recently of zika, which resulted in more than 6,300 cases in 2016.

Regional Challenges • Reduce levels of poverty and vulnerability

Disaster Risk Scenario

• Contribute to the reduction of social inequity and its impact on the most disadvantaged populations

Due to its geographical location, the region is highly exposed to hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, landslides and drought. In addition, a chain of volcanoes, which is part of the Pacific Belt of Fire and covers about 1,500 kilometres in the region, contributes to high vulnerability to volcanic eruptions in all countries.

• Ensure relevant, effective, quality and coordinated emergency response and recovery for people affected by disasters and crises

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Red Cross in Central America

• Contribute to the reduction of structural causes, which generate irregular migration due to violence and lack of opportunity

Red Cross in the region Cross Societies are recognized in their respective countries for

Structure of the International Federation The In T

. Th guidance, direction and support to the National Societies of Central relations with partners and coordination for operational and Th Preparation (CREPD) is based in San Salvador, El Salvador, hosted

Salvadorean Red Cross

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

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Strategic Partners

United Nations System

The IFRC coordinates with a range of different partners in the region, such as the Central American Integration System (SICA), which integrates regional institutions specialized in disaster risk reduction, health, migration, disaster law and others.

The six National Societies are active members of the United Nationsrun Humanitarian Country Teams. Additionally, they participate in the coordination platforms for health, disaster preparedness, and water, sanitation and hygiene promotion (WASH).

The European Commission Department of Humanitarian Assistance and Civil Protection (ECHO) is a vital partner in reducing vulnerability to disasters, while the General Directorate for International Cooperation and Development (DEVCO) promotes actions to support migrants in Guatemala and Honduras.

Academic Alliances Several universities and higher education institutions in the region provide knowledge, research and tools of analysis in health, migration and social violence.

Private Sector Red Cross Partners The American, Canadian, Italian, Norwegian and Spanish Red Cross Societies, in coordination with the IFRC, contribute to the strengthening of National Societies’ capacities in the region. This assistance is provided with the aim of achieving greater efficiency, effectiveness and coordination in emergency and disaster response, training leaders, and scaling up the development of branches and community early warning systems in the region.

Through a Movement-wide approach, actions are coordinated with the International Committee of the Red Cross and the National Societies in the areas of migration, prevention of violence and safer access.

Strategic alliances have been established for resource mobilization and disaster response, as well the dissemination of key messages through the Groupe Spéciale Mobile Alliance (GSMA) and regional mobile operators (TIGO, CLARO, MOVISTAR). Moreover, National Societies work in partnership with a range of corporate partners at country level, such as mobile companies, supermarket chains and airline companies.

Opportunities • The region shows signs of social and economic improvement, but there are still many issues to overcome • Strategies are being developed to address crime and violence, vulnerability to natural hazards and conservation • Each country is working at the local level in terms of education, health and gender • Central America is an encouraging scenario for the National Societies of the Red Cross and the IFRC to continue positioning themselves in response to current and emerging humanitarian trends

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Red Cross in Central America

Maternal and Child Health Promotion. Guatemalan Red Cross

Contact information:

Nelson Aly Head, Country Cluster Support team (Central America) nelson.alyrodriguez@ifrc.org Julie Hoare Head, Partnerships and Resource Development julie.hoare@ifrc.org

Š International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. 2017