Guatemala: GIISAN coordinates and improves information on food security and nutrition in Guatemala

The Grupo Interinstitucional de Información de Seguridad Alimentaria y Nutricional (GIISAN - Interinstitutional Group on Food Security and Nutritional Information) was created in November 2003 to support coordination efforts and information exchange of the Guatemala government in order to improve food security and alleviate poverty in Guatemala.

The group's members include various UN agencies, bilateral cooperation institutes, civil society organizations and NGOs. The GIISAN has centred its work in information systems on food security and nutrition while incorporating other themes such as technical capacity building and communication.

GIISAN's main objective is to become a forum for analysis, consultation and consensus building on information regarding food security and nutrition in order to enable efficient and effective decision making at government, civil society and international cooperation levels. This objective will be reached through three working areas such as: information on food security and nutrition, training and communication.

The group's most recent activities include the drafting of the Strategic Plan among group members (membership is free and open to all institutions interested in working with food security) and the publication of the group's first newsletter.

Aside from the group's consolidation as a forum that fosters exchange of information and strengthening of relations between institutions, the group has also produced concrete outputs in support to government initiatives to improve the fight against hunger. For more information please read the September 2004 update.

For more information on the activities of the National Thematic Group please contact the GIISAN Secretariat, through Marcelo Ancarola, Information on Food Security Area, Agriculture, Livestock and Food Ministry giisan@correo.maga.gob.gt