With the participation of 35 officials from 16 institutions of the Municipality of Quito, the Latin American and Caribbean Economic System (SELA) and the Inter-American Conference on Social Security (CISS) successfully held the Workshop on disaster risk management with a social protection approach.

The meeting, held on 12 and 13 August in Ecuador’s capital, in collaboration with the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) and the Network for Social Studies on Disaster Prevention in Latin America and the Caribbean (LA RED), brought together officials, technical staff and decision-makers involved in risk management, security and social protection, with the aim of strengthening capacities to coordinate integrated responses to disasters.

During the opening of the second day of the Workshop, the Secretary General for Citizen Security and Risk Management of the Metropolitan District of Quito, Carolina Andrade, highlighted the importance of this meeting for the city and for Ecuador. She also expressed her gratitude to SELA and CISS for recognising the city of Quito as a “space for exchanging knowledge and for always being prepared.”

Over the course of two days, participants explored fundamental concepts of integrated disaster risk management, from identifying and assessing impacts to measuring the affected population and designing inclusive social protection policies. They analysed regulatory frameworks, insurance and social assistance models applied in Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as successful experiences that demonstrate the importance of coordination among different sectors for effective response and recovery.

Other topics discussed included approaches to reducing vulnerabilities, incorporating gender perspectives into risk management, and the role of participatory governance and public-private partnerships in creating innovative resilience tools. The exchange included an analysis of financial instruments such as insurance and emergency funds, along with reflections on leadership as a key element in promoting intersectoral and sustainable strategies for dealing with disasters.

The four modules included lectures, practical team exercises, material presentations, and question-and-answer sessions that encouraged interaction between participants and facilitators.

This workshop is part of a series of meetings held between SELA and CISS in countries such as Honduras, Belize and the Dominican Republic, and has established itself as a regional forum for training, dialogue and the development of innovative solutions to the challenges of climate change and the social effects of disasters.

Disaster Risk Management is a topic of SELA’s Work Programme for 2022-2026, which aims to establish regional structures that contribute to reducing vulnerabilities, responding effectively to emergency situations and caring for the populations most vulnerable to extreme natural phenomena through social protection systems.