Strengthening of ACT National & Regional Fora in Central America

Requested from ACT Alliance: 25,900

The devastating experience of Hurricane Mitch in Central America was a turning point in the history of disasters in central America. Mitch destroyed human, natural and institutional resources that have not been and will probably never be recovered. But Hurricane Mitch also left some positive lessons. It instilled an awareness in the population in the region of the high vulnerability of their environment, and the need to learn how to manage the risks and to be prepared to respond to disasters.

Therefore, after Mitch, ACT members in the region became active in the field of disaster preparedness and risk management. They have been very proactive in co-ordinating among themselves and with other humanitarian actors in their area. In 2002, with the support of the ACT Alliance, they carried out a capacity assessment in four countries - El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala and Nicaragua. The results of the assessment proved to be an incentive to work on co-ordination and increase efforts in capacity building and risk management.

Currently there are four well established ACT national fora in Central America: in Nicaragua -organized in 2000, in Honduras and Guatemala -organized in 2002 and in El Salvador -organized in 2003. At the end of 2003, they organized an ACT regional Forum. In July 2004, they decided to give a more strategic orientation to their work and prepared a national and regional plan to reduce vulnerabilities in Central America through capacity building activities for the ACT Fora, their members and the communities working with them. The proposal that follows includes the activities that they are planning to develop during 2005.

The activities focus on:

• Updating of the risks and capacities mapping held in 2002

• Training activities based on the capacity assessment

• Co-ordination activities with other humanitarian actors

• Advocacy activities at the national and regional level

• Visibility activities at the national and regional level

The proposal also includes a proposal for a case study that will help promote, disseminate and support ACT national co-ordination (ACT Fora) within the ACT Alliance.

Project Completion Date: 31 December 2005

Summary of Appeal Targets, Pledges/Contributions Received and Balance Requested