However, risk reduction policies can generate difficult political and social issues. It is preferable, for example, to encourage people to move away from areas highly exposed to disaster risk rather than simply repair damage when it occurs. But often this is not easy.

Disaster reduction is about social development. “If people had better economic prospects, they would live in better and safer houses. The problems of risk management are linked to development,” said Jorge Meléndez, El Salvador Presidential Secretary for Vulnerability and Director General of Civil Protection.

Date:

21 Jun 2018

Sources:

United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction – Regional Office for the Americas (UNISDR AM)

Themes:

Capacity Development, Community-based DRR

Hazards:

Cyclone, Storm Surge

Countries:

Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama

Regions:

Americas