International Strategy for Disaster Reduction
The Americas

UNISDR regional office for the Americas

From HFA-PEDIA

With the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) as the main orienting tool, and in partnership with ISDR system members from throughout the Americas, the ISDR secretariat’s regional office for the Americas seeks to promote synergies and partnerships among the different stakeholders, state entities and non-government institutions, reporting on progress being made within the region and promoting disaster risk reduction (DRR) as an integral part of planning, policy and decision-making at all levels. Sub-regional and national platforms for DRR, as well as thematic platforms focusing on issues of particular interest within the region, such as education, urban risk (see urban risk platform) and adaptation to climate change, are areas in which ISDR has been devoting increased focus since 2005.


In keeping with the mandate of the UNISDR - or ISDR secretariat-, the regional office for the Americas strives to provide support to actors throughout the region in promoting a culture of disaster prevention and contributing to build disaster resilient nations and communities. With the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) as the main orienting tool, we work towards facilitating political and capacity building processes in disaster risk reduction priority areas throughout the region, in support of national implementation of the HFA.


Our office is located in the Ciudad del Saber (City of Knowledge) in Panama City, Panama.


Our team is comprised of:

  • Ricardo Mena, Head of UNISDR Americas / Regional Coordinator – rmena@eird.org


URL: http://www.eird.org


UNISDR Americas 2010-2011

The regional office for the Americas of UNISDR is the regional arm of the United Nations secretariat for the ISDR covering the 35 sovereign States of the Western Hemisphere within North America, Central America, South America and the Caribbean. Together with ISDR system partners from throughout the region, UNISDR’s regional office for the Americas will, throughout 2010-2011, promote increasingly wider synergies and partnerships among the different stakeholders at all levels with the goal of building stronger linkages among climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction, increasing investment in DRR and improving the safety of schools and hospitals from the negative effects of disasters. Reporting on progress being made throughout the region, promoting disaster risk reduction as an integral part of planning, policy and decision-making at all levels, education, knowledge management and capacity building, as well as ensuring regional priorities within the global DRR assessment reports and Global Platform for DRR are also areas of great focus for the coming biennial period.


Key Targets and Deliverables

The Americas biennial workplan links global outcomes with regional outputs that will contribute to an expanded network of key partners, including the United Nations system and international community, regional inter-governmental organizations, high-level government decision-makers from all development sectors, parliamentarians, local authorities, the academic sector, NGOs and the private sector. Greater high-level engagement will support increased political and financial commitment to DRR as an essential aspect of safer and more resilient living conditions through better building practices and safety regulations, risk assessments of critical and public infrastructure, schools and hospitals. With the HFA as the main orienting tool, legislation and policy, local risk management, the upcoming DRR campaign focusing on safer cities and urban risk and the proper functioning of the Regional Platform for DRR as well as multi-stakeholder and multisectoral networks and progress reviews and reporting at the national, subregional and regional levels are areas through which we will address the underlying drivers of risk in recognition that DRR is in fact a development issue that involves us all.


2010-2011 UNISDR Strategic objectives

  • SO1: Disaster risk reduction accepted and applied for climate change adaptation

Key Output:

Enhanced political commitment and national investment in risk reduction achieved through greater dialogue with and increased technical support to policy makers. Mapping of DRR applications for climate change adaptation, promotion of good practices and case studies. High-level support to national action plans and policies through regional and national platforms and multisectoral networks.


  • SO2: Measurable reduction of disaster losses achieved through optimal investments in DRR

Key Output:

Economic study disseminated throughout the region and findings reflected in at least 2 high-level statements with national progress reviews reflecting financial commitment to DRR and investment decisions that are disaster risk sensitive across all development sectors


  • SO3: Schools and hospitals are safe from disaster risks

Key Output:

Safer city campaign launched and supported by regional partners, national and local governments targeting safer schools, hospitals and critical infrastructure along with relevant agreements with association of local authorities, the promotion of risk assessments of critical facilities and knowledge networks to support capacity developments and trainings at the regional, national and local levels to promote safety standards, building codes and action plans.


  • SO4: An effective ISDR system supported by a strengthened Secretariat

Key Output:

Marked awareness-raising among decision-makers through the availability of relevant information and the strengthened of UNISDR in the Americas along with high-level support to DRR



See also:


ISDR partners in action

Supporting Organizations

Americas - Data and Statistics (PreventionWeb - Regional Overview)

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