In November 2024, Colombia experienced heavy rain and flooding, especially in the Chocó region, affecting many families in need. This flooding is one of eleven major risks noted in the country’s safety plans.
To tackle these challenges, Colombia has launched several projects aimed at improving safety and preparing for disasters. Some key steps include setting up a landslide warning system in Medellín, upgrading transportation infrastructure, managing water resources better, and creating green spaces in cities to fight heat and air pollution.
One important development was a major project completed by the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD). This project evaluated risks and vulnerabilities in all 1,122 municipalities across Colombia and examined how well the country can manage disasters. Over two years, this work was done in partnership with the Pacific Disaster Center (PDC), a research center linked to the University of Hawai’i, with support from the U.S. Southern Command and the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá.
On February 19, 2025, UNGRD representatives and other partners met online to discuss the results of the National Disaster Preparedness Baseline Assessment presented by PDC. Scott Kuykendall, a specialist from PDC, emphasized the importance of having detailed data for each municipality, which helps UNGRD create better programs tailored to local communities.
The assessment looked at eleven different types of hazards at both departmental and municipal levels. The national findings will be published for the public, and detailed city-level information will be shared with disaster management professionals via PDC’s DisasterAWARE platform.
Along with presenting the assessment results, PDC provided insights and a five-year plan to help decision-makers turn risk assessments into effective strategies for improving planning and guiding future investments.
The partnership between PDC and UNGRD will continue, focusing on sharing the assessment results with other government agencies in Colombia and offering more training on using the DisasterAWARE platform.
These ongoing efforts show Colombia’s dedication to using data to reduce disaster risks and strengthen community resilience at the local level.
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