Over 55 percent of the population in Guatemala lives in extreme poverty — mostly those in rural or indigenous communities. 47 percent of children suffer from severe malnutrition. This is the highest rate in Latin America and the sixth highest in the world.
Government corruption has left gaps in public services and stunted the growth of job opportunities — which is part of the reason food is either unavailable or unaffordable for most people. Additionally, natural disasters like hurricanes, mudslides, monsoons, and volcanic eruptions have pushed people already struggling to survive deeper into poverty.