Disaster Risk Reduction Meeting

While the CILAC Forum was happening, the Disaster Risk Reduction Committee met, also in Panama City, to discuss three principal objectives:

• Promote integrated scientific research on disaster risk for the benefit of society and the environment, and capacity building, including education in Latin America and the Caribbean.
• Combine and coordinate international expertise in disaster risk assessment and mitigation studies, thereby resulting in an affective international organ which will act as a partner in various international and national projects.
• Strengthening science within the context of regional priorities and building capacity through collaboration and policy making.

On day 1, attendees could discuss on aspects related to the structure and governance of the Steering Committee, such as a revision of Terms of Reference. Another issue discussed was the appointment of Irasema Alcántara as the new chairwoman of the committee. It was also possible to have a joint meeting between ISC ROLAC and the UNESCO DRR Group of Experts, opportunity that allowed an initial approach to both groupings to share the work done in the DRR area, current initiatives, challenges and possible future joint engagements.

On day 2, it was possible to hear presentations regarding Disaster Risk Reduction, recent earthquakes in Mexico, and similarities with earthquakes in Argentina. Also, a follow-up on the report carried out by Virginia Jiménez concerning educational programs in LAC related to DRR, and development on the website. Finally there was a  brief overview of SDGs, which were followed by a time for questions and answers.