After being devastated by Hurricane Mitch in 1998, another natural disaster — drought — has hit Central America causing crop failures and concerns that the region faces an impending food crisis.
The World Food Program estimates that as many as one million people in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua may face potential food shortages after rainfall was substantially below normal levels in June and July of this year.
The BBC reported that in Honduras, which was hit hardest by Hurricane Mitch and now this drought, farmers in eight provinces have lost almost all of their first harvest. Farmers in Central America typically plant corn and beans in late May and then plant again in August. The Honduran government declared a state of emergency in those eight provinces.
In Guatemala, meanwhile, the agriculture ministry claimed that the country will lose 47 thousand hectares of corn, beans and rice due to the drought.
Sources:
Central America alarmed at crop failure. The BBC, July 22, 2001.
Honduras declares drought emergency. Mike Lanchin, The BBC, July 25, 2001.