Strengthening Central America ACT Fora

Balance requested: US$ 175,200

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.

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. Currently there are four well established ACT national fora in Central America: El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. There is also an ACT regional Forum.

In March 2005, the LACE 51 Appeal was issued to support the activities of the four ACT national fora in Central America on mapping risks and capacities, training, co-ordination, advocacy and visibility. The current appeal intends to give continuity to these activities to strengthen the ACT National Fora in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. It also proposes some regional activities oriented to fulfil regional common needs such as psychosocial response, communications in disaster and theological reflection on disasters.

Please notice that the implementation period of the appeal is two years. The reasons for it is that the proposal for 2006 is already overfunded and that the ACT Fora in the region have already planned activities for 2007. Therefore, to avoid a new appeal in four months time and the need for the funding agencies to approve transfer of money to a new appeal, the ACT CO decided to extend the implementation period to the end of 2007.

The appeal includes a full description of the 2006 programme and a estimated budget for 2007. It is expected at the beginning of 2007, the ACT fora in the region will provide a detailed plan of activities and a timeframe for 2007.

This revision replaces the appeal issued on June 23, 2006.

Project Completion Date:

Honduras, Nicaragua and Guatemala: January 2006 – December 2007
El Salvador: September 2006 – December 2007

Reporting Schedule

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

Signed by:

John Nduna
Director, ACT Co-ordinating Office