Nicaragua

Preparing for emergencies, Las Maderas [Marcella Haddad]

One of the poorest countries in the Western hemisphere, with an estimated 4.3 million people living in poverty. Half the active population is unemployed or underemployed

In spite of the fact that Nicaragua has an abundance of land and natural resources, it is no longer able to produce the food it needs to feed its own population.

Years of structural adjustment policies, political corruption and poor governance have resulted in severe hardship in rural areas and an increase in migration.

Government support for agriculture is mainly for large-scale exports, and sources of credit for small-scale farmers have all but dried up with the collapse of several banks and agricultural co-operatives.

Land tenure is also problematic in some areas, with former large landowners trying to pressurise the government to recover their estates.

section highlights

Key challenges CAFOD partners work on a range of issues such as rural livelihoods, trade, racism and discrimination

Strength within the communities Ana Maria Gutierrez started working with the John XXIII Institute after Hurricane Mitch, and quickly realised the potential for developing whole communities after a major disaster

latest updates elsewhere on www.cafod.org.uk

Education brings new confidence Far from Nicaragua’s capital of Managua, the people of Cerro Bonito have found new confidence and lobby their local mayor to make sure their needs are no longer neglected

Protecting Honduran farmers Honduran farmers face strong competition from heavily-subsidised US imports due to the Free Trade Agreement. Our partner COMAL works with local producers and lobbies on trade issues

Funding boost for Latin America CAFOD welcomes plans by DFID to increase funding for development in Latin America by 15%, and to provide this extra support through civil society groups and international aid agencies