Diagnostic Study for the DIPECHO Action Plan for Central America and the Caribbean (Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters - DIPECHO - ECHO Programme for Disaster Preparedness, Mitigation and Prevention, 1997, 184 p.): INTRODUCTION: I. Aims of and background to the diagnostic study

Diagnostic Study for the DIPECHO Action Plan for Central America and the Caribbean (Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters - DIPECHO - ECHO Programme for Disaster Preparedness, Mitigation and Prevention, 1997, 184 p.)

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PREFACE

INTRODUCTION

I. Aims of and background to the diagnostic study

II. Methodology and scope

III. General characteristics of the study region

IV. Study plan

V. Participants

FIRST PART - NATURAL DISASTERS IN CENTRAL AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN: CONSEQUENCES AND RISKS

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I. CONSEQUENCES OF NATURAL DISASTERS IN CENTRAL AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN

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1. A general assessment

2. Natural disasters: A brake on development

Conclusions

II. NATURAL DANGERS AND DISASTERS: DISTRIBUTION AND FREQUENCY

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1. The uneven distribution of natural dangers

2. Frequency and distribution of disasters

Conclusions

III. ANALYSIS OF VULNERABILITY CRITERIA

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1. 1992 population densities set against annual population growth rate (1960-1993)

2. The 1993 Human Development Indicator (HDI) set against urban population growth rate (1960-1993).

3. Real adjusted 1993 GDP per inhabitant set against 1993 adult literacy or child mortality rates

IV. CONCLUSIONS: RISK LEVELS

SECOND PART - ACHIEVEMENTS AND NEEDS AS REGARDS REDUCING THE RISKS AND CONSEQUENCES OF NATURAL DISASTERS

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I. ASSESSMENT OF ACTIONS CARRIED OUT IN THE REGION IN THE FIELD OF RESEARCH

1. Identification and analysis of hazards

2. Vulnerability and risk

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a. Vulnerability (the technical approach)

b. Vulnerability (the social approach)

3. Conclusion: Assessment of actions carried out in the region in the field of research

II. ASSESSMENT OF ACTIONS CARRIED OUT IN THE REGION IN THE FIELD OF PREVENTION ITSELF

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1. Preventive planning of land occupation

2. Reduction of the probability of events and especially the effectiveness of a natural disaster phenomenon: Actions targeted at the causes of such phenomena

3. Reduction of the effectiveness of a natural disaster phenomenon: Technological protection

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a. Actions aimed at containing or deviating the disaster phenomenon

b. Actions aimed at making buildings resistant to potential disaster phenomena

4. Conclusion: Assessment of actions carried out in the region in the field of prevention itself

III. ASSESSMENT OF ACTIONS CARRIED OUT IN THE REGION IN THE FIELD OF PREPAREDNESS

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1. Warning preparedness

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a. Hurricane warning

b. Flood warning

2. Preparedness of protection

3. Preparedness of the relief phase

4. Emergency plans

5. Conclusion: Assessment of actions carried out in the region in the field of preparedness

IV. ASSESSMENT OF ACTIONS CARRIED OUT IN THE REGION IN THE FIELD OF PROVIDING INFORMATION AND TRAINING

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1. Production and circulation of information at regional and national levels

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a. Through discussions, seminars and workshops

b. Through publications and the Internet

c. Through documentation centres

2. Information/training for local communities

3. Information/training of target sectors of the public

4. Conclusions: Assessment of actions carried out in the region in the field of providing information and training

V. CURRENT APPLICATION METHODS OF RISK REDUCTION POLICIES: FROM THE SECTOR-BASED APPROACH TO THE INTEGRATED APPROACH

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1. The sector-based approach

2. The overall approach based mainly on the question of risks

3. The integrated approach based on sustainable development

4. Current application methods of risk reduction policies: Main conclusions

VI. CONCLUSION: SUMMARY OF NEEDS AS REGARDS REDUCING THE RISKS AND CONSEQUENCES OF NATURAL DISASTERS

In the field of scientific and technical research

In the field of prevention itself

In the field of preparedness

In the field of information/training

Application methods

THIRD PART - CURRENT FRAMEWORK AND CONDITIONS FOR A COHERENT, WORKABLE AND EFFECTIVE DIPECHO PROGRAMME

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I. REGIONAL AND NATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS

II. INSTITUTIONAL STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES AT THE VARIOUS GEOGRAPHICAL LEVELS

1. At a regional level: The case of CEPREDENAC and CDERA

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CEPREDENAC

CDERA and also OECS and CARIFORUM

2. At a national level: The problem of national organisations or assimilated structures

3. At a local level: Current need for strengthening local structures

III. ORGANISATIONS LIKELY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF DIPECHO AND THEIR PROSPECTS

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1. Large international organisations working in the field of prevention/preparedness

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a. IDNDR Regional Office

b. Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO)

c. International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC)

d. Organisation of American States (OAS)

e. United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

2. Other partners or possible contributors

a. In Central America

b. In the Caribbean

IV. CURRENT ROLE AND PROSPECTS FOR THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY AND THE MEMBER STATES

1. Unequal involvement of Member States and the European Community

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a. The role of Sweden

b. The roles of Denmark, France, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands

c. The emergence of Germany

d. The other European countries

e. Prospects

2. Links between ECHO and the other EC Directorate Generals towards more efficient preventive activity

V. CURRENT FRAMEWORK AND EFFICIENCY CONDITIONS: CONCLUSIONS

GENERAL CONCLUSION

I. MAIN LESSONS DRAWN FROM THE DIAGNOSTIC STUDY

1. Disasters and risks in Central America and the Caribbean: Risks unevenly distributed but present everywhere

2. Achievements and needs regarding risk reduction: Significant efforts made but actions still too isolated and limited

3. Conditions for implementing the DIPECHO programme

II. PRIORITY LINES OF ACTION FOR DIPECHO

1. Common recommendations for Central America and the Caribbean

2. Special recommendations for Central America

3. Special recommendations for the Caribbean

BIBLIOGRAPHY

ANNEXES

I. Aims of and background to the diagnostic study

Since 1994, ECHO has financed many disaster prevention and preparedness operations (primarily for natural disasters) worldwide. Funding was provided in response to requests from NGOs and international organisations which carried out the operations themselves.

Evaluations of these operations have produced favourable assessments. However, ECHO wishes to increase its involvement in disaster prevention and preparedness and better target its actions in order to achieve greater overall coherence.

At its meeting of 16 July 1996, the Humanitarian Aid Committee approved the new regional approach proposed by ECHO for its disaster prevention, mitigation and preparedness programme for 1996-98, to be called DIPECHO (Disaster Preparedness ECHO).

This programme is to be applied within regional frameworks and concentrates funding at first on Action Plans to aid the Caribbean, Central America, south-east Asia and Bangladesh. However, instead of simply responding to specific financing requests from NGOs, international organisations or governments, ECHO aims to draw up Action Plans and decide which partners are most appropriated for implementing them under the direction of ECHO itself. DIPECHO also aims to increase the efficiency of action as a whole in the European Union, through closely coordinating its action with that of the Commission and the Member States.

Finally, before Action Plans are drawn up there will be a diagnosis stage so as to identify, in each region, the hazards, response structures and policies already in place at community, national and regional levels; present and future external support will also be identified so as to decide what gaps there are and where and to assess the coherence and efficiency of response systems as a whole.

Against this background, a first exploratory mission was carried out from 30 September to 12 October 1996 in the Caribbean and Central America (four countries were visited) and resulted in a first report, (“Report on the exploratory mission in the Caribbean and in Central America for DIPECHO” by A. Angulo, Ch. Bugnion, Ph. Masure).

This report is very informative and in particular:

- it defines the conceptual framework, rightly stressing that prevention and preparedness ought to be distinguished from emergency aid and that they are part of a continual process in the same way as development;
- it introduces the main regional and international organisations and their activities in the field of prevention and preparedness;
- it highlights the greatest needs and provides some initial orientations for DIPECHO.

This report, which consists of the diagnostic study itself, follows a second series of missions to the same region and aims to complete the findings of the exploratory mission, in particular through:

- an analysis of disasters and their consequences;
- a comparative evaluation of risks in the region,
- a detailed analysis of what has been achieved and what is needed to reduce hazards and consequences of natural disasters;
- an examination of current conditions for a coherent, workable and effective DIPECHO programme, especially taking into consideration the current organisation of prevention and preparedness in the region, and an account of external support;
- proposals for priority lines of action for DIPECHO.