“The regional contingency plan envisioned that national systems would provide technical assistance in carrying out estimates and projections, develop training for health personnel of the Ministries of Health and first-response institutions, work with countries experienced in the management of pandemics, and ensure implementation of gender-based public health, humanitarian and security measures in the SICA member states,” says Claudia Herrera, executive secretary of CEPREDENAC.

She also explains that “the capacity that the countries of the region developed through the definition of their national legal frameworks for comprehensive risk management and having a Central American policy for comprehensive disaster risk management has strengthened coordinated response and strategic leadership within national systems.”

The importance of the Sendai Framework

Point 15 of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 clearly establishes that the commitment “will apply to the risk of small-scale and large-scale, frequent and infrequent, sudden and slow-onset disasters, caused by natural or manmade hazards as well as related environmental, technological and biological hazards and risks.”

“I think that countries more than ever must understand that national risk management and reduction policies must be aligned with the Sendai Framework," says Solís.

“We must focus on strengthening risk reduction and management with a sectoral approach. If the sectors have not developed their capacities, we create an absolute dependence on the central governance schemes and that makes us more vulnerable”, he adds, while also highlighting the importance of meeting Target E of the Sendai Framework, which establishes significant progress in DRR in 2020.

“The only way to build a different future is to get involved in health emergencies today. You have to open the door, go through the window, you have to be in those meetings. But enter to take action, to make decisions. The national civil protection and risk management systems cannot be replaced by anyone. But if they are absent, they do not participate in decision-making and all the decisions that are currently being made take longer and there is more margin for error,” Ugarte concludes.

Country & Region

Americas Costa Rica