Colombia
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Colombia: Statement made at the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (2009) (Spanish only)
An Official Statement made by Mr. Carlos Costa Posada, Minister of Environment, Housing and Territorial Development, Colombia, at the second session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, June 2009. (Source: Official statement to the Global Platform 2009)
HFA National Reports
National Report 2008: National HFA Progress Report - 2008 (Spanish only)
National Report 2007: National Report on the Implementation of the HFA (2007) - Colombia (Spanish only)
National Report 2006: no reported
National Report 2005: no reported
National Platform
The National Platform is composed by:
- Ministry of the Interior and Justice.
- Colombian Civil Defense.
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- National Planning Department.
National Platform Focal Point:
Ministerio del Interior y de Justicia, Dirección de Prevención y Atención de Desastres
Calle 13, N.32-69, Edificio Laboratorio
Piso 4, Bogotá, Colombia
Tel:+ 571-375-0934/0842
Fax:+571-375-1077
Contact Person:
Sra. Luz Amanda Pulido (Director of the DPAD)
Alternative e-mail: marthaf@dgpad.gov.co
Colombia: Integrating Disaster Risk Reduction at the Local Level
Good practices of National Platforms 2008 - Case Study: Colombia
Sistema Nacional de Prevención y Atención de Desastres (SNPAD) / Dirección de Prevención y Atención de Desastres (DPAD)
HFA National Focal Point
Ministerio del Interior y de Justicia, Dirección de Prevención y Atención de Desastres
(Ministry of Interior and Justice, Office for Disaster Prevention and Response)
Address: Calle 13 No. 32-69. Edificio Laboratorio Piso 4. (Secretaria de Salud) Bogotá D.C., República de Colombia.
Tel: (+57-1) 375-0842/375-1078/375-0934 / Fax: (+57-1) 375-1077
E-mail: direcciongen@dgpad.gov.co
Página Web: http://www.sigpad.gov.co/
Contact person:
Mrs. Luz Amanda Pulido
E-mail: direcciongen@dgpad.gov.co
Assistant: Sra. Martha Fonseca
E-mail: marthaf@dgpad.gov.co
Alternative Contact:
Dra. Ibeth Castro, Head of International Cooperation
E-mail: ibethc@dgpad.gov.co
Tel: (+57-1) 375-0842 / 375-1078 / 375-0934 / Fax: (+57-1) 375-1077; cell: (315) 363-9802
Technical Focal Point:
German Abel Jimenez Barrero
Tel: (+57-1) 375-1078, 213-7191 / (+57-1)375-1077
E-mail: regional@dgpad.gov.co / germanj@dgpad.gov.co
Website: http://www.sigpad.gov.co/
Other contacts
Permanent Mission of Colombia to the United Nations Office and Specialized Institutions in Geneva
Chief:
Her Excellency Mrs. Clemencia Forero Ucros
Ambassador
Permanent Representative
Address: Chemin du Champ-d’Anier 17-19, 1209 Geneva
Tel: +(41-22) 798-4554, Fax: +(41-22) 791-0787
E-mail: mission.colombia@ties.itu.int
UN System Coordination
UN Resident Coordinator
Mr. Bruno Moro
UN Resident Coordinator / Resident Representative UNDP
Address: Avenida 82 No. 10-62, 3rd and 4th floor, P.O. Box 091369, Bogota
Tel: 00(571) 488-9000, Fax: 00(571) 488-9010
E-mail: bruno.moro@undp.org, [mail:registry.co@undp.org registry.co@undp.org]
UN Inter-Agency Support
Mr. Juan Ignacio Arango, RC Assistant
Tel: +(571) 488-9000 ext. 137
E-mail: juan.arango@undp.org
Ms. Yasmina Garzón, Secretary
Tel: +(571) 488-9000 ext. 125
E-mail: yasmina.garzon@undp.org
UN Country Team
Mr. Bruno Moro: UN Resident Coordinator, UNDP
Ms. Olga Lucía Acosta: Regional Advisor Bogotá Office, ECLAC
Mr. Luis Manuel Castello: Representative, FAO
Mr. Roberto Haudry de Soucy: Representative, IFAD
Mr. Marcelo Castro-Fox: Representative, ILO
Mr. José Angel Oropeza: Chief of Mission, IOM
Mr. Raúl Rosende: Chief of Office, OCHA
Ms. Claudia Hoshino: Coordinator, L. A. Office, UNCRD
Ms. Barbara Pesce-Monteiro: Country Director, UNDP
Mr. Omar Castiglioni: Chief Security Adviser, UNDSS
Mr. Firmin Edouard Matoko: Representative for Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela, UNESCO
Mr. Diego Palacios: Representative, UNFPA
Mr. Javier Hernández: Representative, i.a., UNHCHR
Mr. Jean-Nöel Wetterwald: Representative, UNHCR
Mr. Damian Cardona: Director for Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela, UNIC
Mr. Paul Martin: Representative Area Office of Colombia and Venezuela, UNICEF
Mr. Antonio Assefh: Representative, UNIDO
Ms. Moni Pizani: Programme Regional Director, UNIFEM
Mr. Aldo Lale-Demoz: Representative, UNODC
Mr. Praveen Agrawal: Representative, WFP
Dr. Pier Paolo Balladelli: Representative, WHO/PAHO
Ms. Béatrice Dhaynaut: Strategic Planning Advisor, Office of the RC
Mr. Juan Ignacio Arango: Coordination Support, Office of the RC
Ms. Yasmina Garzón: Coordination Support, Office of the RC
Updated: 21 May, 2008; UNDG: UNCT Colombia
Others
Colombian Civil Defense (Prevention and Attention to Disasters)
Address: Bogota D.C. No. 52 street. 14-67, P.O. BOX. 6400090
Phone: (+57-1) 6917071/72 / Emergency 144 / Fax.(+57-1) 6916870 to 6408081
E-Mail: contactenos@defensacivil.gov.co
Website: http://www.defensacivil.gov.co/
Contact Person: Gral. Alfonso Arteaga, Director
E-mail: doc@multiphone.net.co
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation Office
Address: Calle 10. 5-51 Bogota DC
Phone: (+57-1) 566 7103 / Fax: (+57-1) 562 5939
Website:http://www.minrelext.gov.co/
Dra. Juana García Uribe, Director of International Cooperation
E-mail: juanagarcia@minrelext.gov.co / meryceci@hotmail.com
National Planning Department, Department of Urban Development and Environment Policy
Address: Calle 26 Number 13-19, floor 8, Building Fonade, Bogota DC
Phone: (+57-1) 596 0300 ext. 2572 to 2550 / Fax: (+57-1) 599 9557 - 596 0314
Website: http://www.dnp.gov.co/
Contact person: Dr. Julio Miguel Silva Salamanca, Director of Urban Development and Environmental Policy
E-mail: jsilva@dnp.gov.co / amartinez@dnp.gov.co
Colombian Red Cross
Website: Colombian Red Cross
Climate change
Colombian delegation to the II Sessión of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction - GP09 - puts forward a proposal for Copenhagen that a fixed amount of Climate Change Adaptation Funds, of a minimum of 30%, be allocated to projects for reducing hydroclimatic risks implemented in developing countries
See proposal (Spanish only)
Related documents
- Colombia's First National Communication on Climate Change to the UNFCC (Spanish, December 2001) / Executive Summary
Country Profile:
Official name: Republic of Colombia
Capital: Bogotá
Population: 43.5 million
Density: 38.2 people per sq km
Total area: 1,138,910 sq km
Languages: Spanish*, Indian languages, English Creole
Government: Presidential democracy
Religions: Roman Catholic 90%, others 10%
Ethnic groups: mestizo 58%, white 20%, mulatto 14%, black 4%, mixed black-Amerindian 3%, Amerindian 1%
Currency: Colombian peso
Geographical Description (hazards and disasters)
The Republic of Colombia is located in the most north-occidental corner of Latin America; it is the only South American country with coastlines on both Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea and also a place with one of the most complex tectonic systems since it is located where the Nazca South American and Caribbean plates meet. Colombia has been subjected to important seismic and volcanic activity in the past, but its complex topography also shows both, landslide and flooding prone zones. Colombia’s economy is based on the agricultural exports (14%), mainly coffee; the industrial sector (32%), textile, oil, clothing, emerald; and provision of services (54%). (Source: EMI's Cityriskpedia - Bogota - Cityriskpedia)
During the past century, Colombia suffered the impact of several damaging earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, landslides and floods. Among the most severe were the tsunami and earthquake of Tumaco in 1906 (MW 9.2), the eruption of El Ruiz (Armero-1985), the Pereira earthquake of 1995, the Eje Cafetero earthquake (1999), and a number of landslides and flooding during extreme rainy periods or El Niño events, particularly those in 1997-1998.
Colombia is located in an area of high geological complexity which this explains the frequent occurrence of earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and tsunamis, or tidal waves. Earthquakes are the country's main natural hazard with nearly 86% of the population located in areas of medium and high level of seismic hazardand given that the vulnerability of urban settlements is high and with a tendency to grow. Moreover, the topographic conditions, climate and hydrology of the country make it prone to the impact of phenomena such as erosion, landslides, avalanches and hydrometeorological threats such as rising torrential overflows, floods, hurricanes and storms. For example, El Niño, with the recurrence rate and its associated climate changes, generates strong droughts and floods. The environmental and socioeconomic impacts associated with this phenomenon can be devastating. According to CAF (Corporación Andina de Fomento), the damage to Colombia caused by El Niño between 1997 & 1998 amounted to $564 million USD.
Additionally, the country is susceptible to forest fires, technological accidents such as oil spills and leaks of hazardous chemicals and other socio-natural hazards. These events have led not only to the loss of a significant number of lives, but have also harmed the country's development. In Colombia, more than four million people were affected by disasters in the period between 1993 and 2000 (the majority were affected by floods and earthquakes).
Institutional Level
Colombia is a Democratic Republic where the executive branch tends to dominate the government structure. The president of the Republic is both the chief of the state and head of the government. The legislative branch has a bicameral Congress, members are elected by popular vote and constituents of two dominant parties mainly integrate it. For administrative purposes, the country is divided into 32 departments and one capital District which is Bogotá, where the country’s administration is seated. (Source: Cityriskpedia)
The National Disaster Prevention and Attention System was established in 1989 through the 919 executive decree and it operates under the Ministry of the
Interior and Justice. The national agency responsible for disaster management is the Dirección Nacional de Prevención y Atención de Desastres (DNPAD).
The country counts on a National Plan for Disaster Prevention and Attention, as a major tool to facilitate planning actions within different economical, social, administrative and political sectors. Additional relevant documents produced under this system are the 'Guidelines to Act in Case of a Sudden Natural Disaster with National Impact' and more recently the 'Guidelines to Produce Sectorial Emergency Plans' which are being promoted at different levels of the administrative organization, in departments, municipalities and cities.
The National Committee provides guidance and defines mechanisms to carry-out and evaluate the National Plan for Disaster Prevention and Attention. It also provides the national government with all the information and recommends actions to be taken in case of a national emergency. The National Calamity Fund is set aside from the national budget to provide any economic support in case of a disaster and it can also be used to maintain sanitary conditions in the affected communities and finance the installation and operation of equipment and information systems.
The Regional and Local Committees advise and coordinate the activities of both public and private organizations in light of a specific disaster; they are in charge of developing specialized studies like hazard vulnerability or risk evaluation with the support of different technical organizations.
- Decree 919 of 1989, Establishment of the National System for Disaster Prevention and Response which in turn established the National Office for the Prevention and Attention to Disasters (currently Directorate for Disaster Prevention and Response) and the National Plan for Prevention and Response.
- 1547 Act, National Calamity Found established
- 60 Act of 1993, Pre-assigned resources for Disaster Prevention and Attention from the national budget
- 99 Act of 1993, Safe Environment Law / National Environmental System.
- Decree 969 of 1995, National Network of Natural Reserves
- 388 Act of 1997, National Land Development Plan
- 400 Act of 1998, Seismic Code becomes a national law
- Decree 93 of 1998, National Plan for Disaster Prevention and Attention
- Decree 332 of 2004, District Plan for Disaster Prevention and Attention
- Act 46 of 1988: National System for Disaster Prevention and Attention
- Act 322 of 1996: National Fire Department of Colombia.
- Decree 93 of 1998: adopting the National Plan for Disaster Prevention and Response.
Colombia was a pioneer among the region in the implementation of a systematic approach to the integrated management of disaster risk after the eruption and mud avalanche of Nevado del Ruiz in 1985. The National System for Disaster Prevention and Response (SNPAD in Spanish) has been developed and strengthened since then.
Colombia has extensive norms and regulations relating to risk management, that cover issues such as housing, infrastructure, community participation, and others. The Director for Disaster Prevention and Response, structurally dependent on the Ministry of Interior and Justice, is responsible for coordinating the actions of the National System for Disaster Prevention and Response.
The National Planning Department
Colombia is advancing in the design and financing of a strategy to define a policy on higher education in risk prevention. Through the national system - SNPAD, Colombia has promoted the creation of a National Commission on Education in Disaster Prevention that aims to define a national policy. Some universities offer masters' or postgraduate courses in risk management, such as the University of Antioquia in Colombia, with its collaborating centre of PAHO/WHO at the School of Public Health, and a masters' degree in social sciences and risk management. The Valley University in Bogota also has a comprehensive graduate program in risk management.
Capital City: Bogota
Sitting high on top of the Andes mountains (2,640 meters above sea level), Bogotá is Colombia’s 465 year-old capital with a population of 6,760,000 people. This city is Colombia’s main governmental, financial, cultural, and service center. It is also an urban environment of “extreme” contrasts. Despite its economic output and growing character as a global city, Bogotá suffers from social and economic inequalities, lack of affordable housing, and overcrowding. Notwithstanding major improvements in governance, infrastructure, public space, and quality of life, many of them of international renown, Bogotá is still challenged by environmental sustainability, economic inequality, security and administrative matters. El Tiempo newspaper recently published wealth studies that establish that the income of 80% of the homes does not even represent half of the remaining 20% of homes. This means that economic inequality characterizes the city: 40% of the city’s income stays in only 7% of the population. Bogotá has actively embraced an alternative vision of urban development that seeks to attain the social and economic growth of the city through the modernization of its political and administrative structures, the effective enhancement of quality of life indexes (especially in the areas of public health and education), and the adequate provision of public spaces in the form of parks, bicycle paths, sidewalks, etc. Regarding disaster risk management, the city of Bogotá has also sustained efforts to improve emergency response capacity while progressively incorporating disaster prevention and mitigation policies and bringing them to the attention of the broader community, in an effort often recognized at the regional and international levels. (Source: EMI's Cityriskpedia - Bogota - Cityriskpedia.com)
For more information, see also EMI's Cityrisk.com - Bogota
Progress
Official country statement to the Global Platform 2009:
- Colombia - Mr. Carlos COSTA POSADA, Minister of Environment, Housing and Territorial Development
Commitments and proposals mentioned at GP09:
- To include climate change (CC) in national and international action plans.
- Looking forward to Copenhagen proposal for a “CCA fund” to finance at least 30% of weather and climate related risk reduction projects undertaken by developing countries (proposal supported by some countries and organizations present) – National Platforms and National Strategies should have a say on this
Concrete advancements and achievements mentioned:
- PA1: One of the principal achievements has been that the National System for Prevention and Attention to Disasters has included RISK at a political level in policy planning.
- PA1: National Development Plans 2002-2006 and 2006-2010 have included policies of risk knowledge and prevention for communities at all levels.
- PA1: A programme to reduce the fiscal vulnerability of the State has been created.
- PA5: At a regional level, Colombia strongly supports and encourage the development of national platforms mechanisms.
HFA P1 - Institutional and legal framework:
Incorporation of DRR concept and DRR strategic actions into the national development plan, as well as in sectorial plans
HFA P2 - Risk identification and EWS:
Risk assessment and strengthening of early warning system
HFA P3 - Knowledge and education:
Incorporation of DRR concept into environmental education
HFA P4 - Risk applications:
Strengthening of the environmental local management
HFA P5 - Preparedness and response:
Reduction of the fiscal vulnerability: loan mechanism through Multilateral Bank
(2007)(Source: Matrix Final - based on national progress report for the Global Platform)
Others Documents:
National Plans of Risk Management, Colombia
Incorporation of prevention and risk reduction in the process of territorial planning, Colombia
Systematizing Institutional, Legal and Technical Aspects of Risk Management in Colombia; December 2006 (Spanish only)
(Sistematizacion Aspectos Institucionales, Legales y Técnicos de la Gestion de Riesgos en Colombia)
Bogotá, Colombia - Disaster Risk Management Profile (Last Update: July 2006)
Megacities Disaster Risk Management Knowledge Base (MDRM-KB)
Earthquakes and Megacities Initiative (EMI) / Pacific Disaster Center (PDC)
Web Links
PreventionWeb Country Profile - Natural Disaster, Data and Statistcs Colombia
Colombia Coordination Profile; United Nations Development Group (includes Common Country Assessment - CCA, United Nations Development Assistance Framework - UNDAF, UN Country Team, Resident Coordinator's Office and more)
EM-DAT Country Profile - Natural Disaster - Colombia
ReliefWeb Countries and Emergencies Colombia
UN/ISDR UNEP/DEWA/GRID-Europe Hazards Profile Colombia
Proyecto de Apoyo a la Prevención de Desastres en la CAN (PREDECAN)
Official Website of the Colombian Government
Colombia's National Climate Change Website (Spanish - Ministry of Environment)
Geographic Institute Agustin Codazzi, Colombia
Colombian Institute of Geology and Mining (INGEOMINAS)
Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies (Ideam)
MDG Profile: Colombia
