Hurricane fallout to compound Central America poverty

Significance

Mexico, Costa Rica and Panama were also affected, as were the Colombian islands of San Andres and Providencia, the latter reporting damage to 98% of its infrastructure. The crisis revealed once again the region’s vulnerability to natural disasters and the effects of climate change.

Impacts

• Economic struggles, damaged infrastructure and wider health pressures threaten to weigh on COVID-19 vaccination efforts.
• Damage to agriculture could see hunger and malnourishment worsen across the region.
• US President-elect Joe Biden may raise the prospects of aid and investment in regional efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change.