Strengthening Regional Capacities: Post-Storm Reef Response Brigade Course in Guatemala’s Caribbean
Photo: Ariel Morales
From July 7 to 11, the city of Santo Tomás de Castilla, Izabal, hosted a training course for Post-Storm Response Brigades, with the goal of preparing new brigade members and strengthening local capacities to protect the reefs of the Caribbean coast of Guatemala.
During the training, participants learned how to implement immediate actions before, during, and after a hurricane, based on the Early Warning and Rapid Response Protocol. This protocol guides the steps necessary to reduce hurricane impacts on coral reefs, ecosystems essential to the health of the ocean and coastal communities.
Photo: André Herrera
Seven new brigade members were trained and certified. The group included experienced divers, members of the communities of Livingston and Cabo Tres Puntas, as well as personnel from the Caribbean Naval Command (CONACAR) and members of local organizations and institutions.
“Being a brigade member for Guatemala makes me proud, to have the skills to respond and contribute to the rescue of coral reefs after a hurricane. This training shows that there are many ocean lovers making an impact, little by little.” – Sofía Fernández, Brigadist.
Seven new brigade members were trained and certified. The group included experienced divers, members of the communities of Livingston and Cabo Tres Puntas, as well as personnel from the Caribbean Naval Command (CONACAR) and members of local organizations and institutions.
This training was coordinated by the Mesoamerican Reef Fund’s (MAR Fund) Reef Rescue Initiative, with support from the Guatemalan Caribbean Post storm Response Committee, comprised of the National Council of Protected Areas (CONAP), the Foundation for Ecodevelopment and Conservation (FUNDAECO), the Municipality of Puerto Barrios, and CONACAR. The training sessions were funded by the Adaptation Fund Climate Innovation Accelerator (AFCIA) through the AF-EU-UNDP (UNDP) Innovation Small Grant Aggregator (ISGAP) small grant platform.
“Undoubtedly, the young people who graduated today are a valuable contribution to the rescue and recovery of our reefs. Thanks to the contribution of MAR Fund and the institutions that made it possible, we now have expert human resources to deal with the consequences of hurricanes and storms.” – Lic. Carlos Tenas Martínez Governor of the Department of Izabal.
The sessions were led by an expert instructor from Guatemala, along with two assistant instructors (from Honduras) and an instructor in the process of certification (from Guatemala), putting into practice the knowledge acquired during the post-storm brigade trainer course held in Puerto Morelos in August 2024.
With these new brigade members, the regional capacity for rapid and effective response to natural disasters is strengthened, protecting the reefs of the Mesoamerican Reef Region (MAR). This is possible thanks to the commitment of the region’s governments and the valuable support of partners and donors.
Photo: Claudia Ocaña
Tags: Capacitación de Brigadas para la Atención Post-Tormenta de Arrecifes para el Caribe de Guatemala, Mesoamerican Reef Rescue Initiative (RRI)