A health survey conducted in September of 2011 by the University of Colorado: "Health Needs and Human Development in South-West Trifinio Guatemala," revealed that two thirds of mothers suffer from moderate or severe food insecurity. This is reflected in children's health in the communities of Trifinio, where infant mortality rates are high.
Officials of the United Nations System in Guatemala visited Agrofruit's project "Happy Families" on food security, which aims to positively influence and help communities achieve the Millennium Development Goals, especially in reducing child mortality and improving maternal health.
"This is a first step towards an alliance, from a private's sector initiative and the United Nations, which we believe has broad potential to grow," said Ernesto Sinópolis, representative of the United Nations Organization for Food and Agriculture, FAO. "These are important efforts made by the private sector and their interest to reduce malnutrition rates in the poorest communities," expressed the communications analyst of the Office of the Resident Coordinator of the UN System in Guatemala.
Meanwhile, Bernardo Roehrs, Agrofruit Corporate Director, welcomed the visit and said he was satisfied with the contributions that the company is making to invest in maternal and child health improvement. "Our commitment goes beyond what international conventions indicate and we are convinced that with good
public policies and working in partnership with the UN System and civil society, we can change the situation of families in the area," said Roehrs.
During the United Nations System visit to Agrofruit, a tour of a banana packing plant was made, also the private school "Fernando Bolaños" for the children of the company's employees was visited, and in the community Chiquirines in Ocós, San
Marcos, the meeting with community leaders and mothers of the "Happy Families" was held.
In Chiquirines a training was held for mothers and a there was a meeting with the Association of Trifinio Southwest, which represents more than 15 communities in the area. Members of this association unveiled the main needs of the area and various corporate social responsibility programs that Agrofruit is developing to support communities in health, education and natural disasters.
The area needs attention from the authorities, with community development projects that may benefit more than 23,000 people in more than 20 communities (4,406 households) in Trifinio.
With the United Nations System, a joint program that benefits communities, unifying
efforts and capabilities of the private sector, international organizations, civil society, governments and communities is expected to be consolidated. To this end, central and local governments are urged to join the effort to carry programs
that can improve the human development index in this region.
Contact:
Crista Luna
E-mail: [email protected]
Tel: +50 242 189 895