Resilience to climate shocks in Guatemala: Disability-related inequalities

Approximately 16 per cent of the global population lives with a disability, and an important proportion resides in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), and present higher levels of poverty. Guatemala, classified as a middle-income country, is among the poorest nations in Latin America. It faces the challenges of climate change, including extreme weather events, which may disproportionately affect people with disabilities. This article examines the levels of resilience among households with and without members with disabilities in Guatemala. Using data from the 2018 National Population and Household Census, we constructed a resilience index and incorporated district-level data on precipitation, the number of wet days, and the in- tensity of those wet days. We analysed the association between the resilience index, household disability status, and environmental variables at the district level. To assess whether house- holds with disabilities in districts with high precipitation or frequent wet days exhibit different levels of resilience than those without disabilities, we estimated a regression model. The results indicate that households with disabilities have significantly lower resilience . Moreover, those in districts with precipitation levels above the national average show even greater reductions in resilience. In conclusion, households with disabilities demonstrate even lower resilience in areas with higher precipitation, making them less likely to recover from environmental shocks. It is therefore essential to include and prioritise persons with disabilities in climate change adaptation strategies.