Where we work

Honduras

In Honduras, the gap between rich and poor is wide. Nearly 40 percent of Hondurans live in extreme poverty. Corruption is widespread, as is impunity. Violence and crime are major problems.

In Honduras, we seek to strengthen the organizational and protective capacity of civil society, its human rights defenders (HRDs), and promote gender equity, as well as the empowerment of the LGTBIQ+ community. We work to defend civic space, ensuring that the voices of civil society are heard and respected, that their rights are protected, and that democracy is consolidated in a safe environment free from threats.

Honduras faces a multi-crisis: it is one of the poorest and most violent countries in Latin America, with a high homicide rate, although there has been a slight recent reduction. Communities suffer from structural poverty, violence, and a hostile environment for human rights, exacerbated by violent and corrupt extractivism affecting territories without prior consultation.

Furthermore, the rise of religious fundamentalism and the escalation of repression are closing civic space. Between 2022 and 2023, more than 23 defenders were killed, and impunity in femicides exceeds 95%. Women and LGTBIQ+ people face high levels of violence and discrimination, and the country is one of the most vulnerable to climate change, which further exacerbates the situation.

Diakonia offers a comprehensive approach to address these challenges, with a strong focus on the protection and empowerment of civil society:

    • Protection Networks: We support more than 30 organizations in conflict zones of the country, providing organizational, legal, psychosocial, and national and international advocacy assistance.
    • Emergency Fund: We maintain a fund that has protected 1,093 people between 2013 and 2023, with no defenders being killed while receiving protection measures.
    • Strategic Litigation: We support indigenous and campesino communities in defending their lands through strategic litigation, technical advice, and national and international mobilization.
    • Gender Equity: We work with more than 100 women’s networks to empower them and promote their participation in decision-making, addressing the diverse realities of women, indigenous leadership, and LGTBIQ+ people.
    • Civic Space Defense: We ensure that local and national organizations and networks have the resources and capacities necessary for their voices to be heard and respected in shaping the country’s future.

      For more information

      Reina Rivera, Country Director Honduras

      Phone: +504 236 87 99

      Women walking in tropical forest

      “Nature is our best friend, but we often treat it as if it were our worst enemy. We can’t go on using so many chemicals for farming – it’s making both people and animals sick,” says Abel Ramos.

      Abel is one of the farmers in the mountains of northern Honduras learning organic farming techniques.

      The female sign with a mobile phone in it

      Defending women's rights with new technology

      Honduras is a dangerous country for women and for organizations working with women’s rights it’s sometimes hard to communicate with vulnerable women. One of Diakonia’s partner organizations began to think outside the box to find new and innovative ways to combat sexual violence. At the same time, the organization wanted to reach more young women. The result was “cyberactivism”.

      Diakonia in Latin America

      Diakonia is present and have partner organizations in Bolivia, Colombia, Guatemala, Honduras, Peru and Paraguay. Our partners represent a broad variety of organizations working on different matters and at different levels.