Honduras

Responding to the migrant crisis

In 2024, an unprecedented number of migrants from Venezuela and Ecuador attempted to escape economic crisis and political unrest through the Darién Gap, a 100km stretch of treacherous jungle and extremely hazardous terrain between Colombia and Panama. Desperate migrants are vulnerable to physical injury, theft, human trafficking, kidnapping, GBV (gender-based violence), and death. To reduce the risk to vulnerable families who have crossed the Darién Gap, GOAL is supporting migrants arriving in Honduras with financial and psychosocial support.

In Danlí, GOAL Honduras is supporting migrants with food, water, sanitation products, dignity kits for women, financial support, and psychosocial first aid to address post-traumatic shocks. Additionally, migrants receive financial support to pay for food, medical services, and to continue their journey, but supplies to support the unprecedented number of migrants are quickly dwindling.

Fighting food insecurity by improving sanitation

In 2024, GOAL implemented the “Humanitarian Assistance for Food Security in Honduras” project, with funding from USAID. Global health experts are recognising that food security targets cannot be met unless challenges related to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) are also addressed. This project aims to improve food security in vulnerable regions of Honduras using a multipronged approach. Communities that don’t have access to improved or safely managed sanitation facilities are at an increased risk of infectious disease outbreaks and other public health hazards. In vulnerable households, food can be easily contaminated when it comes into contact with dirty water, unwashed hands, and unclean surfaces. By improving WASH services, GOAL is aiming to create a healthier community in Honduras that is more able to reliably find formal employment and therefore earn money to fight off food instability.

With funding from USAID, 40 latrines were built in Sonaguera, Honduras. To complement the construction of the latrines, GOAL teams also distributed multi-purpose cash assistance to vulnerable households to support them in meeting some of their immediate basic needs. Households also received training on food hygiene, nutrition, and money management.

Improving access to markets

Local organisations are key to GOAL’s mission, providing essential support and delivering programmes that are tailored to their communities. To create lasting change, these organisations need the right tools, skills, and resources to overcome the challenges they face. GOAL’s Global Partnership Centre (GPC) plays a vital role in strengthening the capacity of our local partners. Local organisations provide essential support and deliver programmes that are tailored to their communities. With support from Irish Aid, the GPC’s Organisational Development Fund (ODF) was instrumental in identifying and nurturing emerging leaders within the Comité Para la Defensa y Desarrollo de la Flora y Fauna del Golfo de Fonseca (CODDEFFAGOLF). This partnership enhanced peer-to-peer learning and strengthened local leadership for years to come.

GOAL is also strengthening small businesses in Honduras through the Barrio Resiliente or Resilient neighbourhoods programme by establishing and maintaining strategic alliances with local and national authorities. By doing so, GOAL facilitates sustainable, systemic, and locally driven change while promoting economic growth and development in vulnerable communities. The programme aims to help local authorities adopt methodologies that can be replicated in other cities to strengthen small businesses and foster community resilience. This is achieved through hands-on training for municipal technicians who work with GOAL staff to manage the project.

So far, ten women small business owners have benefited from the programme. Participants learned how to design logos, manage social media profiles, and do their accounting. The Resilient Neighbourhoods programme is not only strengthening small businesses but also promoting the economic and social empowerment of women.