Violence, poverty, and extreme weather are driving record numbers of people in the Aguán Valley of Honduras to leave their homes. Many take dangerous journeys in search of safety and stability elsewhere.
For those who remain, daily life is increasingly fragile. Rising food prices and limited earning opportunities make it difficult to meet basic needs. Climate change has intensified cycles of flooding and drought, leaving small-scale farmers especially vulnerable. At the same time, palm oil companies have been accused of forcefully acquiring land for large plantations. Since 2008, this conflict over land has been linked to an estimated 150 murders and disappearances, with very few cases investigated or prosecuted.
A Farmer’s Loss—and His Resolve
Victor Manuel Martinez Hernandez farms a small stretch of land near the Aguán River as part of a local farmers’ association. Like many in his community, he has endured deep loss. Three years ago, his son—an advocate for land rights—was murdered.
While nothing can take away the pain of this loss, being able to feed his family gives Victor a sense of purpose and hope. Growing food and sustaining his household help anchor him to the land his family has worked for generations, even in the midst of uncertainty.
Building Food Security in a Changing Climate
World Renew has been working alongside communities in the Aguán Valley to strengthen food security and income stability. Victor and other farmers have learned to diversify their crops, growing watermelons, beans, and cassava, and supplementing their income by farming fish.
Because the region is prone to long dry seasons, World Renew also helped the group establish an irrigation system that allows them to grow food year-round. Victor explains, “We’ve opened up a well with a submersible pump so we can water crops to eat and to sell, and that is vital for us.”
Holding on to Hope
Despite violence, grief, and environmental pressure, farmers like Victor continue to choose resilience. With access to water, training, and support, families in the Aguán Valley are better equipped to remain on their land, nourish their communities, and imagine a more hopeful future.
Please continue to pray for an end to violence in the Aguán Valley, for peace and justice around access to land, and for strength for families who are striving to build stable livelihoods in the face of uncertainty.
