The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food (MAGA) is ready to assist the families that were affected by the passage of tropical storm Sara. The Strategic Reserve of Basic Grains has more than seventy thousand rations of food to respond to emergencies that affect the Guatemalan population.
The Directorate of Geographic, Strategic Information and Risk Management (DIGEGR) reported that a verification of the damage is being carried out due to the passage of said storm, which affected the national territory between November 14 and 16 and left a total of 197 millimeters of rain, according to records from the meteorological station located in Melchor de Mencos, Petén.
MAGA extension agents monitor the Petén municipalities most affected by the phenomenon, which include Flores, Melchor, Poptún, San Luis, Santa Ana, San José and El Chal. The most vulnerable crops are mainly basic grains such as corn and beans. The final data on the damage will be available upon completion of the verification stage.
In this phase, it will be determined how many crops were damaged and can be recovered, as well as those that are completely damaged. Regarding the livestock issue, backyard animals are the ones that are regularly most affected, but the damage must be reported.
In several municipalities, the Emergency Operations Committees are active and the MAGA actively participates in them, to coordinate the routes to follow during the monitoring of the affected areas, in accordance with protocol number one of the Institutional Response Plan (PIR) ( Photos ER, text EJ/ea).
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What is the significance of the Strategic Reserve of Basic Grains in disaster response for agricultural communities?
Sure, here’s an interview with two guests about the information provided in the article:
Guest 1: Director of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food (MAGA), Jose Sanchez
Guest 2: Local farmer, Antonio Perez
Interviewer: Hello Director Sanchez, thank you for joining us today. Can you provide some insight into the Strategic Reserve of Basic Grains and its role in responding to emergencies like the recent tropical storm Sara?
Director Sanchez: Of course, the Strategic Reserve of Basic Grains is a vital part of our ministry’s emergency response system. It was created to provide food aid to those affected by natural disasters or other crises that might jeopardize food security in Guatemala. Our team is always on standby, ready to distribute supplies to affected areas as quickly as possible. In this case, we have more than seventy thousand rations of food available to assist the families impacted by Sara.
Interviewer: That’s very reassuring. Now, Mr. Perez, as a local farmer, can you tell us about the damage you experienced during the storm and how the Ministry has been supporting you and other farmers in the region?
Antonio Perez: Well, the storm caused significant damage to our crops, particularly basic grains like corn and beans. It was quite challenging for us to protect them from the heavy rainfall and strong winds. However, the MAGA has been extremely helpful in providing us with support and guidance. Their extension agents have been monitoring the affected areas closely and providing resources whenever possible. They even helped us identify which crops can be recovered and which ones are beyond hope.
Interviewer: That’s great to hear. Director Sanchez, can you elaborate on the role of the DIGEGR in assessing the overall impact of the storm on agriculture in the country?
Director Sanchez: Absolutely. The DIGEGR is responsible for collecting data and information about the impact of the storm on our agricultural sector. Their team is currently conducting a verification process to determine the extent of the damage. Once complete, we’ll have a clearer picture of which areas were most affected and how many farmers require assistance. This information will be crucial in planning our response efforts moving