Disaster Preparedness & Risk Reduction

1. Get Informed:

• Know the risks and hazards in your area; see UNISDR Global Assessment report on disaster risk reduction (click here)
• Learn about Earthquakes in the Caribbean. More>>
• Know where to find HELP during a major disaster. Call the BCLC Help Desk for Business at 1-888-MY-BIZ-HELP or visit their website. More>> (external link)

In January 2005, 160 countries adopted the Hyogo Framework for Action in Kobe, Hyogo, Japan. The framework provides a strategic approach to “Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters” by reducing vulnerabilities and risks to hazards. What has your country done in this area?

Test your knowledge – take the Hyogo Framework Quiz: Go to survey>>

2. Develop company emergency plans:

*There are tools that can help you generate custom emergency plans for your company:

• Palm Beach County Florida: Small Business Disaster Survival Plan: Studies show that almost 50 percent of U.S companies that suffer major disasters never reopen and another 29 percent close within two years! Don't let this happen to your business. Build your plan today. More>>
• FEMA: Are You Ready? Available in English and Spanish. More>>
• Plan para Emergencias y Seguridad Familiar: e-book in Spanish. More>>

3. Get involved in your community through public-private partnerships and mutual-aid networks

• Read DMA News to see what our partners are doing in their countries (newsletters; videos)
• Participate in DMA Forums. More>>
• Learn about PADF's Disaster Response efforts. More>>
• See what USAID/GDA is doing with public-private partnerships (video)
• See what USAID/OFDA is doing (newsletters)

4. Build your capacity to reduce risks

• 2010 Regional Integration Conference presentations and videos. More>>
• Florida International University (FIU), with support from USAID/OFDA, announced the availability of  the Paul C. Bell Scholarships to assist individuals from the region who are committed to careers in disaster/emergency management, obtain advanced degrees in relevant fields.For information about the requirements and process, contact Dr. Juan Pablo Sarmiento at Dr. Juan Pablo Sarmiento at Juan-Pablo.Sarmiento@fiu.edu.
• See Volunteer Management resources. More>>
• American Red Cross Preparedness Fast Facts in English and Spanish. More>> (external link)
• SaberDonar.info (Spanish) - A website dedicated to educating donors, governments, development organizations, and non-profit organizations about promoting efficient coordination of humanitarian relief efforts in Latin America. (click here)
• IDB funding is available not only to governments but also to small businesses and civil organizations.
• Doing Business with the IDB;
• Project Eligibility Requirements;
• Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF Fund);
• Social Entrepreneurship Fund (SEF);
• How to work with the Inter-American Investment Corporation (ICC)