UN launches first Assessment of the Status of Disaster Risk Reduction in Panama

PANAMA, Panama, Tuesday, January 12, 2016 – In the face of growing material loss and damage associated with the impact of natural disasters in the region, and the resulting challenge of meeting the development goals; the Government of Panama, through the Ministry of the Interior and the National Civil Protection System (SINAPROC), commissioned the United Nations and strategic partners to carry out the first “Assessment of the Status of Disaster Risk Reduction in the Republic of Panama”.

The analysis aims to measure progress in reducing disaster risk in the Central American country, based on the priorities of global instruments adopted by the Member States of the United Nations: The recently adopted Sendai Framework 2015-2030 and its predecessor The Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015.

The report includes key recommendations for strengthening disaster risk reduction and prioritization in public policy, to contribute to the series of reforms and actions to reduce poverty and inequality, as well as strengthen democratic governance and institutionalization processes undertaken by the national government.

Panama’s Minister of Government S.E. Milton Henriquez received the Assessment today from Martin Santiago, coordinator of the United Nations system in Panama and Ricardo Mena, Head of the Regional Office for the Americas, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), during the First Ordinary Session of Panama’s National Platform for Disaster Risk Management 2016, headed by José Donderis, Director of the National Civil Protection System (SINAPROC). The event was attended by Roy Barbosa, Executive Secretary of the Coordination Centre for Prevention of Natural Disasters in Central America (CERPEDENAC) as well as national representatives from various sectors.

The “Assessment of the Status of Disaster Risk Reduction in the Republic of Panama” is the result of a joint effort and benefited from the expertise of the regional offices of the Office of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and UN Women; as well as specialized institutions in Chile and Colombia and the International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC).

 

Related links

Assessment of the Status of Disaster Risk Reduction in the Republic of Panama United Nations

United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, Regional Office – The Americas