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Guatemala in worst drought in 30 years: UN

A man walks along the almost-dry riverbed of the Cali River, in Cali, department of Valle del Cauca, Colombia, on September 11, 2009. The rivers that supply water to the inhabitants of Cali are in their lowest levels in history, due to the intense heat, consequence of El Ni�o. More than 460 lives claimed by famine since the start of the year in Guatemala, sweltering temperatures in Peru and more than 140 forest fires in Colombia are evidence of the region's worst drought in 70 years, which is said to be caused in part by the "El Ni�o" seasonal warming phenomenon. Photo courtesy AFP.
by Staff Writers
 Geneva (AFP) Sept 18, 2009
 The United Nations warned Friday that Guatemala is facing its worst drought in three decades, and that at least 2.5 million people have been affected by the crisis.

"The country is facing the worst drought in 30 years, which has triggered a food crisis," said Elisabeth Byrs, spokeswoman of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

"The effects of El Nino have extended the dry spell, which has caused a reduction and loss of agricultural production affecting some 2.5 million people in 21 provinces," she added.

The situation has claimed some 460 lives since the beginning of the year, according to Guatemalan officials, and the country's President Alvaro Colom has declared it a "public calamity."

Most of the deaths occurred in the impoverished northern section of Guatemala bordering Mexico, where more than half of the region's 13 million inhabitants subsist below the poverty line.

OCHA warned that the drought has already hurt the first harvest this year and "if the situation continues as it is, the second harvest will be also seriously affected."

Last week, Guatemala called on the international community to stump up 110 million dollars (75 million euros) to help battle the famine and drought that has struck the Central American nation.

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CLIMATE SCIENCE
Drought-stricken Guatemala pleads for aid
 Guatemala City (AFP) Sept 11, 2009
 Guatemala on Friday called on the international community to stump up 110 million dollars to help battle a famine and drought that has struck the Central American nation. A government statement said the money was needed to buy food for the estimated 410,000 families who have been affected. Guatemala's President Alvaro Colom has declared the situation -- which has claimed 460 lives since ... read more






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