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Country analysis

Nicaragua


Nicaragua is facing a socioeconomic crisis and political tensions between the Government and the opposition, resulting in episodes of large-scale civil unrest and human rights violations.

The situation has pushed many to flee to Costa Rica and the US. Between 2018–2023, violence from both sides displaced more than half a million people, killed 335, injured more than 2,000, and led to the arrest of 1,500 protesters.

Nicaragua is also part of the migration route towards the US and Mexico. Migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers from Africa, Asia, and South America regularly pass through the country, facing needs, such as shelter and food access, while in transit.

Since 2018, the Government has increased control over national and international NGOs, restricting humanitarian access. From 2018 to the end of 2023, it closed 3,390 organisations, including 322 INGOs and several social, religious, and political groups.

Nicaragua is also one of the poorest countries in the Americas, with deep economic issues. By 2023, 90% of its rural population lived in poverty.

Nicaragua is prone to flooding, tropical storms, hurricanes, and landslides, especially during the May–November rainy season. Natural hazards generally result in power and internet outages, mobility restrictions, and road destruction.

(Colectivo Nicaragua Nunca mas 20/06/2023, MMC 07/02/2024, WFP 01/02/2024)

Nicaragua is facing a socioeconomic crisis and political tensions between the Government and the opposition, resulting in episodes of large-scale civil unrest and human rights violations.

The situation has pushed many to flee to Costa Rica and the US. Between 2018–2023, violence from both sides displaced more than half a million people, killed 335, injured more than 2,000, and led to the arrest of 1,500 protesters.

Nicaragua is also part of the migration route towards the US and Mexico. Migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers from Africa, Asia, and South America regularly pass through the country, facing needs, such as shelter and food access, while in transit.

Since 2018, the Government has increased control over national and international NGOs, restricting humanitarian access. From 2018 to the end of 2023, it closed 3,390 organisations, including 322 INGOs and several social, religious, and political groups.

Nicaragua is also one of the poorest countries in the Americas, with deep economic issues. By 2023, 90% of its rural population lived in poverty.

Nicaragua is prone to flooding, tropical storms, hurricanes, and landslides, especially during the May–November rainy season. Natural hazards generally result in power and internet outages, mobility restrictions, and road destruction.

(Colectivo Nicaragua Nunca mas 20/06/2023, MMC 07/02/2024, WFP 01/02/2024)

Latest updates on country situation

03 September 2024

On 19 August 2024, the Nicaraguan Government shut down over 1,500 NGOs as it escalated its crackdown on civil organisations. This marks a record number of closures, with authorities targeting trade associations, rural groups, the Nicaraguan Red Cross, and numerous faith-based organisations, bringing the total number of closures to over 5,000 between 2018 and mid-2024. These closures have restricted citizens' rights to free association and speech, besides limiting access to the healthcare and protection services previously provided by some of these organisations. (ICG accessed 03/09/2024, DW 19/08/2024, OHCHR accessed 03/09/2024)

current crises
in Nicaragua


These crises have been identified through the INFORM Severity Index, a tool for measuring and comparing the severity of humanitarian crises globally.

Read more about the Index

NIC001 - Socioeconomic crisis

Last updated 18/11/2024


Drivers

Socio-political

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

Access constraints

1.0

Analysis products
on Nicaragua

Central America: Complex crises and migration

05 January 2023

Central America: Complex crises and migration

DOCUMENT / PDF / 1 MB

This report presents the key drivers of migration and highlights the risks faced while in transit in four countries of Central America: El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Although there are commonalities in the four countries, the report highlights and provides some outlook into each country’s specific situation in terms of humanitarian constraints and needs.

Mixed migration

Attached resources

Honduras and Nicaragua: Hurricane Eta

11 November 2020

Honduras and Nicaragua: Hurricane Eta

DOCUMENT / PDF / 330 KB

On Tuesday 3 November, Hurricane Eta made landfall on the North Atlantic coast of Nicaragua. As the hurricane moved further inland and was downgraded to a tropical storm, it exposed Honduras and other Central American countries to heavy rains that have resulted in widespread flooding and deadly landslides.

Natural hazards
Nicaragua: Dry spell in the north

24 July 2019

Nicaragua: Dry spell in the north

DOCUMENT / PDF / 502 KB

An El Niño phenomenon, although weak, has developed since February affecting several Central American countries, in particular Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua, known as the Dry Corridor. The most vulnerable households are likely to face Crisis (IPC-3) outcomes and are likely to resort to negative coping strategies, including reduced food consumption and sale of productive assets. Needs are likely to include food assistance, livelihood support and WASH.

Natural hazards
Nicaragua: Political and socioeconomic deterioration

18 December 2018

Nicaragua: Political and socioeconomic deterioration

DOCUMENT / PDF / 194 KB

Protests against the reform of the social security system that began in April 2018 were instantly met by violent repression from Nicaraguan authorities, prompting a period of large-scale civil unrest characterised by protests, demonstrations, and strikes. Reports of violence, arbitrary detentions, harassment tactics, intimidation campaigns, and incidents of torture against opposition protesters and human rights defenders have increased and are likely to continue.

Economy
Central America: Drought in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua

18 March 2016

Central America: Drought in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua

DOCUMENT / PDF / 626 KB

500,000 people in the Central American “Dry Corridor”, covering El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua, are estimated to be facing severe food insecurity, while around 1.3 million are facing moderate food insecurity. An El Niñorelated dry spell has resulted in significant crop losses during the primera season in all four affected countries for the second consecutive year, severely limiting food reserves in affected areas.

Natural hazards
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