UNDRR awarded Medal of Merit in Pará for advancing resilience

The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) has been awarded the “Governor Alacid da Silva Nunes” Medal of Merit in Public Accounts by the Court of Accounts of the Municipalities of Pará (TCMPA), in recognition of its collaborative work with local partners to strengthen disaster risk reduction across the state.

The award, granted at the rank of Commander, underscores how UNDRR’s initiatives,  carried out in close partnership with municipal and state institutions, are helping to integrate disaster risk reduction into public policies and services in Pará.

UNDRR’s engagement began in 2022 with the city of Barcarena, which became the first MCR2030 Resilience Hub in the Amazon. Since then, collaboration with the state government has led to the development of a comprehensive policy framework for disaster risk reduction, expected to support the integration of DRR into climate adaptation efforts.

Concretely, this work has advanced initiatives on food security in Barcarena, the promotion of risk reduction in schools, and the inclusion of persons with disabilities in resilience planning. Currently, UNDRR is also working with the city of Belém on a holistic risk management strategy that brings together science, governance, and community perspectives.

The nomination was presented by Counselor Ann Pontes, whose dedication to sustainability and resilience in municipal governance has been key to advancing this agenda.

During the ceremony on 18 September, TCMPA President Counselor Daniel Lavareda Vale highlighted the meaning of the award: “This medal symbolizes excellence, integrity, and dedication. It reflects TCMPA’s respect and gratitude to those who contribute to stronger, more transparent public management. External oversight thrives on dialogue and cooperation, and each of you has helped the Court fulfill its constitutional mission with innovation and efficiency.”

This distinction honors UNDRR’s leadership, but more importantly, it reflects the collective impact of partnerships between international organizations, local authorities, and communities, working together to build a safer and more resilient Pará.