Context
Central America is one of the regions most threatened by earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and (hydro)meteorological hazards such as heavy rainfall and hurricanes, which climate change is making increasingly common. Around five regional natural disasters occur each year in the area, whereby cities are most greatly affected. Informal settlements, which are home to almost 30 per cent of the population, suffer substantial damage, losses or injuries, particularly as a result of flooding and landslides. This aggravates the already precarious situation of the local people – especially women, who are subject to high rates of violence and a lack of social and economic prospects.
In most countries, however, the focus has so far lied on an improved response to disasters rather than on prevention and foresighted planning. Actors are not efficiently networked at regional and national level, while cities lack the capacities for developing prospective solutions to local problems.
