UNDRR News

The latest news from the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), the lead UN agency for the coordination of disaster risk reduction (DRR).

United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction – Regional Office for the Americas and the Caribbean

Caribbean education Ministers reaffirm commitment to safer and more resilient schools
Press release
Caribbean education Ministers reaffirm commitment to safer and more resilient schools

Ministers reaffirmed commitment to CSSI, agreed on concrete actions to advance school safety, including coordination, reporting, and budget planning. Youth voices and regional cooperation were central to the Forum hosted in Saint Lucia.

United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction – Regional Office for the Americas and the Caribbean
Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency
Saint Lucia - government
Alianzas público-privadas: inversión estratégica para una resiliencia integral
Feature
Public-Private partnerships: strategic investment for comprehensive resilience

Resilience is not just a public policy—it is a collective effort that requires the engagement of industry, business associations, and productive territories.

United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction – Regional Office for the Americas and the Caribbean
UNDRR Private Sector Alliance for Disaster Resilient Societies (ARISE)
Belize advances toward inclusive, multi-hazard early warning systems
Update
Belize advances toward inclusive, multi-hazard early warning systems

The consultation also served as a platform to launch the UN Joint SDG Fund Programme Belize Inclusive Resilience in Safe and SMART Spaces, implemented by UN Women and UNDRR.

United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction – Regional Office for the Americas and the Caribbean
Belize - government
Territorio de riesgo, voluntad de cambio: Guatemala consolida su camino resiliente
Press release
A land at risk, a willingness to change: Guatemala strengthens its path to resilience

Although Hurricane Mitch in 1998 marked a turning point for risk management in Guatemala—strengthening institutions such as CONRED and promoting a more preventive approach—the progress made since then now requires renewed momentum.

United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction – Regional Office for the Americas and the Caribbean
Coordinadora Nacional para la Reducción de Desastres
Guatemala - government
Barbados EWS
Feature
Early warnings save lives: how Barbados’ risk-informed decisions prevented a disaster

Effective risk communication is essential—especially when protective measures disrupt daily life or major cultural events. Authorities must ensure that messages are not only timely and technically sound, but also accessible, understandable, and inclusive.

United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction – Regional Office for the Americas and the Caribbean
rar24 cover
Press release
RAR24: Lack of investment in disaster prevention threatens Latin America and the Caribbean's future

Mainstreaming DRR into development policies will not only ensure more equitable and resilient growth, but will also save lives and significantly reduce the costs associated with disasters.

United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction – Regional Office for the Americas and the Caribbean
The Caribbean strengthen its resilience with disaster and climate action plans
Update
The Caribbean strengthen its resilience with disaster and climate action plans

The Caribbean faces unique and growing challenges posed by hurricanes, floods, sea-level rise, and prolonged droughts. For this reason, the need for anticipatory action and coordinated strategies was emphasized.

United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction – Regional Office for the Americas and the Caribbean
Port Zante in Basseterre town, St. Kitts And Nevis
Feature
Reflecting on 20 Years: How the Indian Ocean Tsunami shaped disaster preparedness in the Caribbean

The profound lessons learned from this disaster have been instrumental in shaping disaster preparedness strategies worldwide, including in the Caribbean.

United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction – Regional Office for the Americas and the Caribbean
UNDRR COP16 side-event “Resilience and Biodiversity Conservation through Indigenous Knowledge” 
Update
Elevating the role of Indigenous Peoples and local communities in nature and disaster resilience

Indigenous Peoples are stewards of biodiversity, yet are remain disproportionately affected by climate-related disasters. Recognizing their role in DRR and conservation efforts is essential to adress common global agendas.

United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR)
United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction – Regional Office for the Americas and the Caribbean
The Future of Risk Communications is Community Engagement
Op Ed
The future of risk communications is community engagement

True strategic risk communication reaches the whole community, ensuring that everyone, including the most vulnerable populations, are equipped with the knowledge and resources needed to respond effectively.

United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction – Regional Office for the Americas and the Caribbean
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

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