Lecturer and Researcher – San Carlos University

Everybody knows about the risks of landslides but one problem we face is the cultural barrier with the Mayan people. There was a previous disaster where emergency services tried to help these people, but most refused, they stayed in their homes but when they could see the disaster happening they tried leave at the last minute but it was impossible. Trying to get into the head of the people in the Mayan communities is really hard. We can see with the Covid pandemic, the people don’t have prevention. Trying to understand the Mayan culture is very difficult and it could be dangerous, you need to say what your intentions are, why you are there to make an impact.