In June 2018, Guatemala’s Volcán de Fuego erupted, leading to the evacuation of 31,000 people, at least 99 deaths, and 15 injuries. The Guatemalan government had a delayed response to the event, which revealed weaknesses in its disaster preparedness. This, along with the public’s lack of knowledge of the dangers and risks of volcanic eruptions, caused one of the most fatal eruptions in Guatemalan history.
In this case study, Memoli details the shortcomings of Guatemalan officials in communicating the eruption threat to the public and the lack of volcanologists available for emergency planning and response. Memoli’s analysis underscores the pressing need for a more robust disaster protocol in Guatemala, one that includes clearly marked evacuation routes, efficient emergency communication channels, and informative public messaging.