Storm Eta Emergency Response in Guatemala

In Guatemala, IsraAID's Kawilal program, meaning "well-being" in the local Q'eqchi' language, has reached nearly 3,500 people through our community-based health initiatives.

One of our primary focuses is on combating malnutrition in the rural communities surrounding Cobán. In this region, homes are often spread far apart, creating a significant geographical barrier for families trying to access consistent healthcare.

To address this challenge, IsraAID is training local women to become community health leaders. A key part of this training is dedicated to identifying malnutrition in children using a simple yet highly effective tool: a MUAC (Mid-Upper Arm Circumference) tape measure.

The tape's simple, color-coded system is intuitive and accessible, ensuring that all women, regardless of their literacy level, can use it with confidence. Green indicates a healthy child, yellow serves as a warning, and red signifies severe malnutrition that requires an immediate clinical referral.

This community-led initiative is equipping local women with the skills to screen children in their own communities. They are becoming reliable and trusted referral points, filling a critical gap in preventative healthcare.

Thank you for your support in building healthier, more resilient futures in rural Guatemala.

IsraAID Guatemala brought together more than 100 women leaders and caregivers for two community violence prevention campaigns in Guatemala’s north-central region of Alta Verapaz. These sessions, held in collaboration with local partners, reinforced community protection efforts and marked a milestone in the #SomosComunidad project’s commitment to safer, more resilient rural communities.  

#SomosComunidad is a broad initiative to empower youth and strengthen community systems across 20 rural communities. The project combines child protection, psychosocial support, gender-based violence prevention, and access to quality education. Through a holistic and locally grounded approach, IsraAID is working to create safe learning spaces and enhance community resilience.  

IsraAID has also launched youth leadership training modules aimed at nurturing a new generation of change-makers. These workshops are designed to equip young people with the skills and confidence to lead community transformations. We are partnering with the Municipality of San Pedro Carchá and the Municipal Directorate of Women. 

IsraAID formally presented the project to educational authorities last month, paving the way for school-based interventions in 20 schools. These upcoming activities, supported by the Ministry of Education and national organizations, will focus on digital learning, environmental awareness, and safeguarding practices for teachers, caregivers, and volunteers.  

As each community leader, caregiver, local authority, and school joins the program, the #SomosComunidad project takes another step toward building a future shaped by local leadership and lasting support for the children and families of Alta Verapaz.