REDLAC

From HFA-PEDIA

Risk, Emergency and Disasters Task Force (REDLAC)

Inspired by the United Nations General Assembly [46/182] surrounding the Strengthening of the coordination of humanitarian emergency assistance of the United Nations, the Disasters Management Team (UNDMT) mandate, the presence of various regional humanitarian agencies in Panama, and the need to reinforce collaboration between the different regional agencies on the topics of disasters preparedness and response, the Risk, Emergency and Disasters Task Force of the Regional Inter-Agency Standing Committee (REDLAC) was created in 2004 to promote programs and projects in the areas of risk management and mitigation of disasters and emergencies. These programs and projects are designed to assist affected populations and reduce their vulnerability levels by strengthening their response capacity and reducing their exposure to risk.

The aim of this Task Force is to create a platform for information exchange, reflection, and organization of joint efforts to optimize preparedness and response actions aimed at preventing and mitigating the suffering of populations vulnerable to natural disasters in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The group’s main strategies are coordination, as a mechanism to improve the response in affected countries, and the exchange of information, for discussion and reaching a consensus within the forum. Decisions that are reached by consensus do not compromise the humanitarian mandate of member’s respective agencies.

The group shares information before, during, and after a disaster or emergency. It also organizes the implementation of join disaster preparedness and response projects to maximize existing resources. The group focuses its intervention on the preparedness and response stages, and coordinates prevention, mitigation, and reduction tasks with other actors.

Results from the workgroup in areas of coordination and cooperation are sent to UNDMT members in vulnerable countries, to widen and strengthen their regional vision as well as their capacities for coordination and disaster management.

The group meets bimonthly (once every 2 moths) and the sessions are chaired by the representative of the regional OCHA office.

REDLAC members include OCHA, UN/ISDR the Americas, WFP, UNDP-BCPR, UNICEF, PAHO, IFRC, UNFPA, UNHCR, as well as Plan International (Americas division, CARE, CATHALAC, OXFAM and World Vision - LAC

REDLAC subgroups include Information Management, Logistics, Risk Management and Rehabilitation.