Economic and Social Development – 2001

Written by

« Back to Provision

Economic and Social Development – 2001

2001

Intermediate Implementation Intermediate implementation

The implementation of the peace agreements lagged in 2001 in general.1

The budget of the SIAS shrunk by 23% compared to the previous year, when it should have grown in order to stay on target for the expansion stipulated by the Agreements. Health care coverage was not yet extended to include migrant workers. The National Health Council was established in March 2001 to improve coordination in the provision of health services. In keeping with the Healthy Schools Plan, meal programs were initiated in 16,000 schools, but no action had yet been taken to combat malnutrition among children under the age of five. Likewise, vaccination coverage in children was still insufficient, and the water supply was unreliable in rural areas. The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare launched a program to provide reproductive health services across the country.2

A discussion set up by the Vice-Ministry led to an agreement between the Government and civil society leaders on a national housing and human settlements policy, which was approved in August 2001. It set clear priorities on resolving the housing shortage, especially among the country’s poorest people. The Government pledged to reactivate FOGUAVI, but it did not yet create a budget to do so.3

The drop in international prices for some of Guatemala’s main exports—most notably coffee—had a dramatic negative impact on local economic enterprise, especially for small and medium-sized farms, which were already struggling to compete against the large agricultural conglomerates in Guatemala. Income inequality continued on unmitigated, as the Ministry of Labor was still unable to enforce minimum wage laws. On the positive side, it did become easier to register trade unions and some consultation meetings produced draft legislation to bring the country’s Labor Code into compliance with International Labor Organization standards.4

No significant progress was made toward comprehensive rural development. The rural populations continued to suffer from poverty and inequitable access to state resources. Reforms to improve land registry and clarify agrarian and environmental jurisdiction were further delayed. Displaced persons especially suffered from social exclusion and denied access to land. Whatever projects were implemented were piecemeal and short-sighted.5 The Land Trust Fund did not receive all of its budgeted funds.6

  1. “United Nations Verification Mission in Guatemala: Report of the Secretary-General,” United Nations General Assembly (A/55/1003), July 10, 2002.
  2. “United Nations Verification Mission in Guatemala: Report of the Secretary-General,” United Nations General Assembly (A/55/973), June 1, 2001.
  3. Ibid; “United Nations Verification Mission in Guatemala: Report of the Secretary-General,” United Nations General Assembly (A/55/1003), July 10, 2002.
  4. “United Nations Verification Mission in Guatemala: Report of the Secretary-General,” United Nations General Assembly (A/55/973), June 1, 2001.
  5. Ibid.
  6. Ibid; “United Nations Verification Mission in Guatemala: Report of the Secretary-General,” United Nations General Assembly (A/55/1003), July 10, 2002.