Women From Latin America And The Caribbean Launch Network For Disaster Risk Reduction
United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction—Women from across Latin America and the Caribbean came together on October 13, the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), for the virtual launch of this regional network to unite in their efforts to reduce and mitigate risks and ultimately prevent disasters in the region.
2021-10-14 20:13:57 - VI News Staff
Through the Latin American and Caribbean Network of Women for Disaster Risk Reduction, women and girls will come together to share experiences, ideas and innovative and transformative solutions to the challenges posed by disaster risk in one of the most hazard-prone areas of the world.
At the time of the official launch, more than 700 women from all age groups and from 28 countries of Latin America and the Caribbean had signed up for the network. They include representatives of national and local governments, United Nations system agencies, intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, the private sector, the media and civil society.
“It is so important that this network creates a space for the exchange of information, mutual support and knowledge that can influence disaster risk policies in the region,” said Raul Salazar, head of the Regional Office for the Americas and the Caribbean of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR).
Disaster reduction is especially important in Latin America and the Caribbean, where one in four of the world’s disasters occur and where almost 300 million people have been affected by these catastrophic events in the past 20 years.
Panellists highlighted that even though they are frequently first responders when disasters strike, women continue to face regular discrimination in preparedness, prevention, response and recovery efforts.
Maria-Noel Vaeza, Regional Director for the Americas and the Caribbean of UN Women; Claudia Herrera, Executive Secretary of the Coordination Centre for Disaster Prevention in Central America and the Dominican Republic (CEPREDENAC); and Tania Triminio Quintanilla, Director of the Honduran Green Cross; through their different perspectives, stressed the need to foster the leadership roles of women in disaster risk reduction.