Latin America

Latin America is characterized by a varied climate ranging from the hot and humid Amazonian River basin to the dry and desert-like conditions of northern Mexico and southern Chile. The Amazonian river basin has the largest stocks of tropical rain forest worldwide, but its biodiversity is at risk as changing climatic conditions and ongoing deforestation are causing species loss. Even though Latin America is highly heterogeneous in terms of climate, rising temperatures are being observed in all countries. One consequence is glacier melting, which is becoming increasingly critical in the Andean countries. Besides inundations and fresh water scarcity, glacier melting also contributes to the rising sea level, which has severe negative impacts on the coastal zones. Increases in rainfall are observed in some regions, whereas it is decreasing in others, with the highest anomalies being observed in the tropical parts. Extreme weather events, such as floods, droughts and landslides are occurring more often and intense and contribute to the enhanced vulnerability of local communities to natural disasters. The agricultural sector will be hit especially hard by water stress, as crop yields are already declining. Agriculture further faces an increase in crop pests and diseases. The population is also impacted by different health problems, diseases and fresh water scarcity, caused by heat stress, droughts and floods.

Country Year Organisation Partners involved Summary Downloads
Brazil 2013 Commissáo Pastoral da Terra (CPT) Bread for all (Bfa), Fastenopfer (FO) An analysis on CPT’s “Land, law and dignity of the peasant communities in Tocantis” project took place in 2013 in Tocantis. As a follow-up three different climate projects were implemented
Brazil 2013 Bread for all (Bfa) Fastenopfer (FO) A training workshop took place in 2013 in Brasilia, including different organizations from Brazil.
Brazil 2011 Bread for all (Bfa) Hilfswerk der Evangelischen Kirchen Schweiz (HEKS), Coordenadoria Ecumênica de Serviço (CESE) In 2011 a training workshop took place in Salvador da Bahia, including participants from different organizations of Brazil.
Brazil 2011 Centro de Agricultura Alternativa (CAA) Bread for all (Bfa), Hilfswerk der Evangelischen Kirchen Schweiz (HEKS) An analysis took place in 2011 on CAA’s project with the traditional population of geraizeros in Tapera, Minas Gerais.
Colombia 2016 Semillas de Agua Fastenopfer (FO) After Being part of the training workshop in Chiapas, Mexico, Semillas de Agua published together with FO a report about the application of PACDR in different projects in Colombia.
Colombia 2015 Suyusama Fastenopfer (FO) Suyusama was a participant in the 2012 climate training. They implemented many activities in 2015 to support locals with adaptation and mitigation strategies. Some measures included trainings and workshops on climate and water management, the building of energy saving stoves and a regional forum to exchange experiences.
Colombia 2012 Bread for all (Bfa) Fastenopfer (FO), Semillas de Agua, Fundación Synergia In 2012 a training workshop took place in Buga, including participants from different Colombian organizations.
Colombia 2012 Semillas de Agua Fastenopfer (FO), Bread for all (Bfa) An analysis took place in 2012 on Semillas de Agua’s project in Poblazón, a community in the department of Cauca. It focused on improving good security for the local population.
Guatemala 2013 Brot für alle (Bfa) Hilfswerk der Evangelischen Kirchen Schweiz (HEKS), Fastenopfer (FO) A training workshop took place in 2013 in CENDEC, Chimaltenango, including different participants from befriended organizations of HEKS and FO.
Guatemala 2013 Association of Farmers of Sipacapa (ACAS) Bread for all (Bfa), Fastenopfer (FO) An analysis was carried out in 2013 on ACAS’s project “Program for sustainable quality and production of the local population” in San Marcos.
Guatemala 2014 Hilfswerk der Evangelischen Kirchen Schweiz (HEKS) Brot für alle (Bfa), Fastenopfer (FO), Brot für die Welt (BfdW) A second level training workshop took place in the city of Antigua in 2014, including members of organizations from Brazil, Colombia, Honduras, Costa Rica, Guatemala and Mexico.
Haiti 2009 Bread for all (Bfa) Hilfswerk der Evangelischen Kirchen Schweiz (HEKS) HEKS Haiti and Bfa organized a training workshop in 2009 in Jérémie for different local organizations from Haiti.
Haiti 2009 GRAMIR Bread for all (Bfa), Hilfswerk der Evangelischen Kirchen Schweiz (HEKS) An analysis of a community-level rural development project took place in Gommier, in the Grand’Anse region of Haiti. The analyzed project focused on strengthening natural, financial and social resources.
Honduras 2009 Bread for all (Bfa) Hilfswerk der Evangelischen Kirchen Schweiz (HEKS), Intercooperation A training workshop took place in Tegucigalpa, Honduras with the participation of represents of Honduran institutions and NGO’s related to HEKS.
Honduras 2009 Asociación de Desarrollo Pespirense (ADEPES), Red de Comités de Desarrollo Ambiental (CODEMAS) Hilfswerk der Evangelischen Kirchen Schweiz (HEKS), Bread for all (Bfa) An analysis of two community-level rural development projects in Honduras took place in 2009. The first project of ADEPES is located in the municipality of Pespire, in the department of Choluteca, as the second project of CODEMAS was located in the municipality of Lepaterique, in the department of Francisco Morazán.
Mexico 2016 Bread for all (Bfa) Instituto de Estudios e Investigación Intercultural (INESIN), Semillas de Agua In June 2016 a training workshop took place in Chiapas with national participants from different organizations and representatives of the civil society of Mexico and Cuba.
Mexico 2016 Instituto de Estudios e Investigación Intercultural (INESIN) Bread for all (Bfa), Département missionnaire (DM-échange et mission), Semillas de Agua In 2016 an analysis was made in the community El Pozo, from the municipality of San Juan Cancuc in Chiapas, where INESIN worked with forest and religious issues.