Mexico, Brazil and Venezuela have offered to send aid to Guatemala, which is facing food shortages.

Guatemalan President Alvaro Colom said Venezuela and Mexico have offered to send rice and other grains, while Brazil has also offered help.

Guatemalan authorities said the shortages are said to be greatest in a "dry corridor" in six provinces that have had little rain in recent months due to the effects of El Nino. About 25 children have died of malnutrition in the region this year, authorities said.

Guatemala has estimated that about 400,000 families are "at risk of food insecurity."

The World Food Program plans to distribute more than 18 tonnes of nutritional cookies in the worst-hit areas.

A week ago, Colom declared "a state of public calamity" to help raise support.