Private Enterprise and Financial Markets > Environment > Disaster Risk Management
Facing the Challenge of Natural Disasters in Latin America and the Caribbean: An IDB Action Plan
Recurrent natural disasters have always plagued many countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. The most recent catastrophic events ?last year's earthquake in Colombia, El Niņo throughout the region, Hurricane Mitch in Central America and landslides and debris flows in Venezuela? have only highlighted the need to be better prepared to deal with these phenomena. The region's social and economic development will be unnecessarily hampered if preventive measures to mitigate the impact of natural disasters do not become a way of life. The time has come for development assistance to take a proactive role in assisting countries to strengthen their capacity to withstand natural disasters.
This report responds to that challenge. Herein is an overview of the current state of affairs regarding capacity to cope with natural disasters in the region, an analysis of what needs to be done, and a plan of action with specific measures that the Bank will put into practice in its operation. The Bank?s comprehensive approach to disaster risk management will place top priority on preventing and mitigating natural disasters, while standing ready to assist countries in their reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts whenever disasters strike. This report identifies key strategic areas of action and proposes specific steps to implement them. In addition, the Bank is examining new financial instruments that can serve as vehicles for addressing these new priorities.
The Inter-American Development Bank has always been of service to its member countries in facing the multiple challenges of development. Disaster management is just one more area where the Bank is cooperating in order to improve the safety and standard of living of the people of the region.
Last updated: 06/12/07
