He European Commissioner Crisis management, Janez Lenarcicnoted this Wednesday in an interview with EFE that the preparation of the Caribbean and Latin American countries for natural disasters “This is more important than ever”as part of the signing of an agreement between the European entity and the region.

“ disaster preparedness has become more important than ever as climate change makes natural disasters more widespread. more frequent and destructiveLenarik said after signing a memorandum of understanding in Bridgetown, the capital of Barbados.

The Commissioner admitted that this was “a great chance work together so everyone is better prepared and can respond more quickly in the event of a disaster. So in the end everyone we can save lives and reduce damage“.

He the agreement was signed the European Union, the Caribbean Emergency Management Agency, the Coordination Center for Disaster Prevention in Central America, MERCOSUR and the Andean Community, as well as Cuba, Mexico and Chile.

Likewise, the European Commission announced this Wednesday that it will allocate almost $141 million in humanitarian aid for Latin America and the Caribbean to meet the needs of the most vulnerable populations affected by emergencies and improve disaster preparedness.

Of these, Venezuela will receive almost 54 million, of which 15 will go to respond to major humanitarian disasters and another 5 to prepare for natural disasters, Haiti 21 million Central America 18 million and Brazil more than a million due to damage caused by recent floods that killed hundreds of people in the south of the country.

Catastrophic region

For Lenarcicwho will also visit Trinidad and Tobago, it is essential “to have systems early warning it can help save lives, reduce losses and facilitate more effective disaster response.”

The Commissioner assured that Latin America and the Caribbean are second most at risk region in the world exposed to such climatic events.

As it became known on May 9, World Meteorological Organization Latin America and the Caribbean had their own Warmest year on record in 2023due to the “double whammy” of El Niño and climate change causing significant weather disasters.

Likewise, this memorandum is a response to the summit between EU and Community of Latin American and Caribbean States held in Brussels last year, which highlighted the urgent need regional cooperation in disaster risk management.

“Thanks to Earth Observation Program EU, CopernicusThe EU has developed systems and services that can be used for early warning of floods, fires and droughts,” explained Lenarcic.

“existential threat”

Next season summer 2024forecasts indicate potential Hurricane season very active.

Taking this into account, Lenarčić confirmed that this key be prepared and stressed that The EU is “ready to help if asked.”

Regarding the impact that Caribbean small island developing states (SIDS) may experience, the commissioner warned that “future losses from natural disasters represent existential threat“.