The Guatemalan Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources delivered thousands of fruit and forest trees to 12 impoverished communities affected by drought in the eastern department of Chiquimula. “The project forms part of the anti-desertification program, through reforestation, and providing self-sufficiency in food supplies,” ministry spokesman Sergio del Aguila told Tierramérica.

Officials provided 1,667 avocado and 1,500 citrus trees as well as 13,000 'madre cacao', 4,000 'matilisguate', 6,000 cedar and 6,000 'aripín' trees.

The program's goal is to contribute to increasing forest coverage in the area, thus preventing soil erosion and benefiting water filtration, capturing carbon dioxide and improving the environment in general, said Del Aguila.