"The Inter-American Network for Disaster Mitigation"

Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia - December 3rd, 200

On December 3, 2006 in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, the Department of Sustainable Development of the Organization of American States (OAS), with support of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), held a meeting of experts on Natural Disasters.

The main objective of the meeting was to advance in the identification of synergies and opportunities for cooperation among organizations that are already working in natural disasters-related networks; identify needs for the sharing and exchange of information, knowledge, lessons learned and best practices for the advancement of formulation of natural hazard risk reduction-related public policy and its mainstreaming into national development policies and plans. The definition of priorities for action will provide a valuable input to the OAS work in this area.

The meeting gathered high level government officials and distinguished members of the natural disasters field from the entire hemisphere preceding the First Inter-American Meeting of Ministers and High Level Authorities on Sustainable Development.

• Agenda

• List of participants

• Report

Presentations

 Opening Session

Introduction to the Inter-American Network for Disaster Mitigation (INDM), Pablo Gonzalez, Principal Specialist, Natural Disaster Risk Reduction, OAS, Department of Sustainable Development

Global and Hemispheric Frameworks

Hyogo Framework for Action, Ruth Custode, ISDR Unit for LAC

Inter-American Committee for Natural Disaster Reduction, Pedro Bastidas Senior Specialist, Natural Disaster Risk Reduction, OAS, Department of Sustainable Development

Information and documentation centers, use of computer-based technology, and information and communication tools (ICTs) and Networks

• Kari Keipi, BID, Country Case Study on the experience of the IADB Disaster Network. General presentation

             Ecuador Experience

• Irene Céspedes, CRID, Improving Compilation, Process and Dissemination of Disaster Related Information in Latinamerica and the Caribbean Region

• Jeremy Collymore, CDERA, Enhancing the Effectiveness  of Information and Communication Technology Applications for Disaster Management in the Caribbean

• Jon W. Nystrom, ESRI, Promoting the Use of Electronic Technology for the Provision of Information Services

Preparedness, contingency planning and humanitarian assistance

• Carlos A. Villalba, White Helmets Commission, Voluntarism as a tool for food distribution- Local community organization and training.

• Christine Herridge, Pan-American Development Foundation; Country case study on disaster assistance with private sector support.

• Leon Prop, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - Institutional and legal barriers to humanitarian assistance and the use of global networks of IFRC

   

Vulnerability Reduction and Risk Management

• Jean- Luc Poncelet, Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) – Safe Hospitals

• Bruce Baird - Association of State Floodplain Managers, Inc.  (ASFPM)-Flood Vulnerability Evaluation

Photos: Participants.