| The Organization of American States and the European Community
Humanitarian Office (OAS-ECHO) Program for Flood Vulnerability Reduction and the
Development of Local Warning Systems in Central America meets the need of minor river
basins to reduce flood vulnerability.
The principle objectives of the OAS-ECHO Program activities are as follows:
 | The formation of technical and multidisciplinary groups of local professionals that
specialize in the design, establishment and execution of programs for the reduction of
flood vulnerability, mitigation of damages, and installation of local warning system in
minor river basins; |
| The design and execution of programs and projects to reduce vulnerability and implement
local warning systems in minor river basins in six Central American countries; and |
| The drafting of documents that contain information necessary to design and execute such
programs and projects. |
The OAS-ECHO Program promotes the participation of representatives from different
disciplines and sectors involved in the prevention and mitigation of damages resulting
from floods, particularly in the following four sectors of society:
| Municipal governments and local and national public entities such as health, planning,
water resource and emergency management organizations; |
| Economic sectors such as agriculture, transport, and energy; |
| Local and national non-governmental organizations, and private voluntary organizations
active in environmental management, community development, and social infrastructure and
humanitarian assistance; and |
| Regional and international organizations interested in sustainable development and the
reduction of natural disasters. |
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