South America

Mitigation, Preparedness, and Relief Efforts

All South American countries have developed a national system for disaster mitigation, preparedness, and relief efforts, but these systems vary in complexity, commitment, funding, and effectiveness. Disaster mitigation and preparedness efforts are increasing in the region, but many national governments lack the political will to fund such efforts, leading to heavy reliance on international nongovernmental organization (NGO) leadership and funding aid in this area. Many South American countries rely on post-disaster relief and recovery efforts, which often prove more costly in the long run as a consequence.

Although both national and local governments aid in the early response to disasters, many lack the resources to maintain this level of commitment in the long-term recovery period. Most South American countries have traditionally relied on their military to provide the primary leadership in disaster relief efforts, although many have recently increased the role of civilian leadership. Goals and services include aiding economic and social development; improving disaster response; mobilizing relief and recovery funding; improving communication among all levels of government, businesses, NGOs, and other involved institutions; and prioritizing needs, training, and the establishment of guidelines.

Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela still rely heavily on their civil defense for emergency management. The national differences in disaster mitigation, preparedness, and relief capacities means that a single disaster affecting multiple areas will often have varying impacts on the local populations. In Bolivia, the National Council for Risk Reduction and Disaster and Emergency Response (CONRADE) oversees the national System for Risk Reduction and Disaster Emergency Response (SISRADE), while the Vice Ministry of Civil Defense and Integral Development (VIDECICODI) and national and local agencies oversee disaster response. Meanwhile, other South American countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Colombia have instituted more comprehensive national emergency management systems with varying degrees of success, and have begun to emphasize mitigation, prevention, and preparedness in addition to relief and recovery.

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