Image Source: UNDRR

Bridgetown, Barbados - As disasters recognize no boundaries and Latin America and the Caribbean confront escalating disaster risks, there is an imperative to bolster collaboration for enhancing disaster resilience and preparedness. 

This is the aim of a significant new agreement on integrated disaster risk management signed between the European Union and regional and national stakeholders on May 15 in Bridgetown, Barbados.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was developed under the leadership of the European Commission’s Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations department (ECHO) and supported by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR). Negotiations, initiated in 2023, brought together governmental, intergovernmental, and non-governmental organizations.

Representatives from Latin America and the Caribbean included four prominent intergovernmental organizations: the Coordination Center for the Prevention of Disasters in Central America and the Dominican Republic (CEPREDENAC under SICA); the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA under CARICOM); the General Secretariat for the Andean Community of Nations (SGCAN); and the Meeting of Ministers and High Authorities for Integrated Risk Management (RMAGIR) of the South American Common Market (MERCOSUR). Additionally, Chile, Cuba, and Mexico participated as signatories to the agreement.

The parties collaboratively established a strategic framework aimed at enhancing international, regional, and sub-regional cooperation in disaster risk management, focusing on climate change adaptation, resilient infrastructure, early warning systems, and private sector engagement.

Implementation of the MoU will strengthen cooperation to assist countries in building comprehensive disaster resilience across society, reducing disaster risks and impacts, thereby contributing to sustainable prosperity and well-being.

The MoU aligns with commitments outlined in the Regional Action Plan for the Implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction in Latin America and the Caribbean. Furthermore, it positions itself as a potential platform to advance the UN Secretary-General's Early Warnings for All Initiative, which seeks to achieve universal early warning coverage by 2027."

The signing of this Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) represents a significant milestone in our joint efforts to enhance disaster resilience across Latin America and the Caribbean. UNDRR is proud to have played a role in fostering increased cooperation and preparedness measures in response to a growing risk landscape. As we face a rising frequency and severity of disasters, compounded by the intertwined challenges of climate change and socio-economic vulnerabilities, the imperative for united action has never been more urgent," stated Paola Albrito, Acting Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction and Director of UNDRR.

"Through the implementation of this MoU, we not only advance the goals outlined in the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction but also lay the foundation to support communities in bouncing back from adversity. This underscores our commitment to creating a future where resilience is not just a goal but a tangible reality for all," she added.

"The EU's longstanding partnership with the region in disaster preparedness continues with specific allocations to bolster this field. The signing of the new MoU will further strengthen this collaboration, ensuring that countries in Latin America and the Caribbean are better prepared and more resilient against future disasters," commented Janez Lenarčič, European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management.

Didier Trebucq, United Nations Resident Coordinator for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, emphasized the MoU's significance for sustainable development in the region: "Today's agreement marks a critical step forward as the UN intensifies its support for Caribbean nations to withstand natural hazards and climate impacts. At its core, this MoU reflects our commitment to strategic partnerships and sustainable development, especially as we anticipate an active hurricane season. The broader UN team in the Caribbean is dedicated to enhancing climate resilience and disaster preparedness through comprehensive risk management, climate adaptation, and resilient infrastructure initiatives. This effort is crucial in our mission to accelerate the implementation of the SDGs and ensure inclusivity."