“Honduras has the potential to lead on solutions to address climate change”

In the midst of Honduras’ rolling mountains and green forests, there are greenhouses growing mouth-watering fresh vegetables. Communities come together to prepare meals with these vegetables and sell the produce. Recurring droughts, intense floods, bark beetle, and more put Honduras on the frontlines of climate change. Despite the devastation, there is joy and hope to be found. Communities are coming up with solutions like greenhouses that will help them not only survive but also thrive.

Episode 3 of Better Food. Better World. finds Elizabeth Nyamayaro on the ground in Honduras where she falls in love with the community, the people, and the food while investigating the dire effects of a repetitive cycle of drought and flooding on the food system. She speaks with the people working to combat climate shock, Climate Change Country Expert Carlos Javier Rodriguez, Deputy Country Director for WFP in Honduras Etienne Labande, and Community Leaders Iris Sanchez and Gloria Lopez along with community members like Gabriel Gomez. Where some might see only devastation, Elizabeth sees hope, resilience, and lessons we can all use to make better food and a better world.

Key Moments:

• 1:32 - Elizabeth explains the devastating impact of two hurricanes on Honduras crops
• 2:52 - Local food, nutrition and environment expert Carlos Rodriguez describes the climate risks Honduras faces.
• 5:51 - A visit to a casa maya or a greenhouse, which feeds the community and provides a source of income.
• 6:42 - A drive through the mountains with Etienne Labande to learn what communities and the WFP are doing to combat climate risks.
• 10:55 - At the market with Iris Sanchez as she sells her produce and describes the impact of climate change on her community.
• 12:51 - Joining a community meal with Iris at a casa maya.
• 15:01 - Gloria Lopez, a community leader working with farmers, shares her concerns about climate change.
• 16:25 - Gabriel Gomez is still smiling after all they have gone through due to climate change.
• 17:52 - Community members Margarita and Iris share their wishes for better food and a better world.
• 22:55 - What we can all learn from Honduras’ accomplishments about how to live sustainability and with dignity.

Selected Links:

https://www.wfp.org/

Join the Conversation on Social Media:

#BetterFoodBetterWorld

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Connect with Elizabeth and Our Guests:

Elizabeth Nyamayaro

Humanitarian and author of ‘I am a Girl From Africa’, Elizabeth Nyamayaro is the Special Advisor for the UN World Food Programme. Over the past two decades, she has worked at the forefront of global development and has held leadership roles at the World Bank, World Health Organization, UNAIDS, UN Women, and Merck. Her track record building and leading public-private partnerships is a key asset to WFP as it advocates for global solidarity to end world hunger.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/enyamayaro

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enyamayaro/

Carlos Javier Rodriguez - UTSAN

Honduras government environment expert

Carlos Rodriguez has over 15 years of experience working in food security, nutrition and gender programs. Working in the Honduran dry corridor, he is in charge of three regional food security projects. A graduate of Texas A&M University’s Agricultural Economics department, Mr. Rodriguez is the government’s representative on the Humanitarian Response team in Honduras.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/carlosR32738659

Etienne Labande - Deputy Country Director for WFP in Honduras

Born in the French Alps, after 13 years working in the private sector Etienne joined French NGO Première Urgence as a Program Officer in Guinea during the Guinea Civil War, quickly becoming their country director and eventually their regional director. When refugees from Cote d'Ivoire began to flee to Guinea en masse, he was recruited by the WFP. Now with over twenty years of experience in emergency response and food assistance, Etienne has been involved in critical actions in Guinea, Chad, Syria, Lebanon, and Northern Iraq. Currently, Labande is the Deputy Country Director for WFP in Honduras.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/etienne.labande

Iris Sanchez

Iris is a community leader in the drought-affected region of Las Mercedes, Opatoro, La Paz.

Gloria Lopez - REDMIAH

Gloria Lopez is the president of Red de Mujeres Indígenas y Afro-hondureñas (REDMIAH), the Network of Indigenous and Afro-Honduran Women. REDMIAH is actively involved in human rights and food security programs in Honduras.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/redmiah2012

Raul Bardales - National Program Officer for WFP in Honduras

Raul Bardales is Elizabeth’s translator on her visit to Honduras.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raul.bardales.98

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raul-bardales-63002047/