Climate change, rainfall patterns, livelihoods and migration in Cabrican, Guatemala

The research findings are based on data collected during the Where the Rain falls Project conducted from 2011 to 2013 by UNU-EHS and CARE International. The researchers focused on households in four rural communities in the western highlands (Cabricán municipality) to understand how changes in rainfall affect food and livelihood security, and how these factors influence whether or not households or household members choose to migrate. Researchers employed participatory field research methods, including household surveys and expert interviews.

The report found that changing rainfall patterns have a direct negative impact on local food and livelihood security in Cabricán, Guatemala. To add to the severity of the problem local residents have no effective long-term coping or adaptation strategies (i.e. livelihood diversification and migration), which puts them at risk of being trapped in a place where they are increasingly more vulnerable to climate change.