Anticipating tropical storms and drought in Central America: a Technical Exchange to develop Early Actions

Teams from the Honduran Red Cross, the Guatemalan Red Cross, the Costa Rican Red Cross and the Nicaraguan Red Cross recently participated in a Technical Exchange on methodologies for anticipating two types of extreme event: tropical storms and drought.

More than 40 people participated, including the coordinators of forecast-based financing initiatives in each country, and the focal points for risk management and cash transfer programmes, as well as logistics and finance staff. The exchange took place in Copán Ruinas, Honduras, from 18-22 October 2021. It was organized by the German Red Cross as part of its regional exchange strategy, which facilitates a space among the National Societies of Central America for sharing experiences.

The event’s agenda included sessions about the analysis of the historical impacts of tropical storms and droughts in each country, mechanisms for the activation of Early Action Plans, and the selection of potential early actions and variables in risk models.

With the support of volunteers from the Copán Ruinas branch of the Honduran Red Cross, the event included a simulation exercise for the implementation of cash transfer programmes. This was held within the framework of a possible activation of the Early Action Plans for Tropical Storms in Guatemala and Honduras.

Mathieu Destrooper, regional head of the German Red Cross delegation, commented that these exchanges are a unique opportunity to strategically address different problems in the region and find solutions in each national context.