Executive Summary - GFDRR

Disasters happen all over the world, but their economic, social and
environmental repercussions have continuously increased and, they
have had greater overall impacts in developing countries. Disasters can
overshadow years of investment for the countries development, but at
the same time the risks causes may be rooted in errors and problems
arising from the same development processes. (World Bank 2006)
Colombia has been a pioneer in Latin
America in developing a comprehensive vision
in risk and disaster management, which
has resulted in a relative decrease in casualties.
However, damage to property, infrastructure,
and livelihoods continues to increase. Advances
in monitoring, early warning systems, as well as
the organization of national and local entities for
emergency response have resulted in a reduction
in the loss of life caused by natural phenomena.
However, efforts to contribute to territorial security,
social welfare, and environmental sustainability
have not been sufficiently effective to prevent
exposure and vulnerability. This has been evident
after the increase of economic losses in recent
events, especially during La Niña 2010-2011.
The situation experienced at the beginning
of President Santos’ term (2010-2014)
represents a major challenge for his government
regarding the recovery of the affected
population and their economic activities, and
for strengthening the organization and policy
in disaster risk management. In this context,
the Government of Colombia, through the National
Planning Department (DNP), requested
assistance from the World Bank in the preparation
of the Analysis of Disaster Risk Management
in Colombia. The Bank in turn managed
the funding for the implementation of the study
with the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction
and Recovery (GFDRR).
The objective of the analysis is to evaluate
the progress of risk management in Colombia
and to propose recommendations that will
enable the Government to set up public policies
in this area on a short-and long-term basis. In
order to carry this out, the study sought to (i) establish
the risk situation and impact of disasters
in recent decades; (ii) identify legal, institutional,
and conceptual advances in risk management in
the country; (iii) review the status and development
of investment in risk management; (iv) analyze
the role of territorial and sectoral entities in
risk management; and (v) identify gaps and challenges
in defining the responsibilities of the public
and private sectors. The aim of the results of
the study is to provide useful inputs for both the
consolidation of the National Development Plan
(PND) 2010-2014 “Prosperity for All,” as well as
to lead the recovery and reconstruction process
associated with the recent episodes of the La Niña
phenomenon, and the formulation of public policies
that favor long-term development sustainability
in Colombia.
The report Analysis of Disaster Risk
Management in Colombia is the result of an
interinstitutional and intersectoral work coordinated
by the National Government, through
the National Planning Department and the
National Unit for Disaster Risk Management
(UNGRD) in association with the GFDRR
and the World Bank. The technical team that
prepared the study was formed by a group of
national and regional experts in risk management.
In addition, the project received the support
and collaboration from the Ministries of
Mines and Energy, Education, Agriculture and
Rural Development, Transportation, Environment
and Sustainable Development, Housing,
Cities, and Territories, Finance, and Health and
Introduction 3