Tools and lessons learned in Central America

It has been more than six years since the UNDP/BCPR started to advance the task of promoting, generating and exchanging knowledge about disaster risk reduction and related issues in the Latin American and the Caribbean region. In this context, it has been possible to compile in Andean and Caribbean countries an inventory of more than 160 accounts related to disaster preparedness and local risk management, led by a number of organizations and institutions. In addition, a total of 15 case studies have been systematized in the Andean region, as well as 18 best practices on Local Early Warning Systems in the Caribbean. Also, a number of workshops have been conducted at both national and sub-regional levels, and processes aimed at exchanging tools and fostering cooperation among different municipalities of Andean capital cities have been developed. Part of this work in the Caribbean and Andean countries has been captured in two videos: “The Caribbean in the hurricanes’ path” and “Announced Disasters”, both of which are currently available.

We are currently working in Central America, where we are implementing a process to develop an inventory and systematize experiences and tools in the field of disaster preparedness, on the one hand, and to carry out national and regional consultation processes, on the other, in order to define the priorities to be included in the next Action Plan of DIPECHO for Central America. The initiative will also produce a video that captures the “know-how” of the population in the region. It is also expected that the Third Knowledge Fair titled “Reducing Disasters” will be held next year.

This effort is being made in the context of the regional project titled “Compilation and dissemination of tools, approaches, and lessons learned on local risk management and disaster preparedness in Central America.” The initiative has the support of the European Commission Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO) through its Disaster Preparedness Program (DIPECHO), and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). It also receives technical assistance of the Bureau of Crisis Prevention and Recovery (UNDP/BCPR).

For further information, please contact Angeles Arenas (angeles.arenas@undp.org), Disaster Reduction Regional Advisor, UNDP/BCPR-LAC, or Linda Zilbert (linda.zilbert@undp.org.pa), Project Coordinator.