Early warning systems for natural disasters to be implemented in Brazil with CAF support

(Brasilia, February 22, 2012).- To support the Brazilian government with development and strengthening of monitoring capabilities, early warning and response to disasters caused by natural phenomenon, CAF - Latin American development bank – signed a Framework Cooperation Agreement with the Brazilian Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.

"Agreements such as this are evidence of CAF's commitment to Brazil, which covers a wide range of sectors from resources for infrastructure – one of the cornerstones of our policy – to projects for prevention and mitigation of disasters caused by natural phenomena," Moira Paz Estenssoro, CAF director representative in Brazil, said after the signing.

The agreement facilitates dialogue and scenario analysis between governments, nonprofit organizations and research institutions, public and private, and helps reduce and improve management of the risks caused by natural phenomena.

The activities covered by the agreement include identification of vulnerable areas, risk assessment, soil use planning, and optimization of resources and logistics.

"The initiative focuses on Brazil in a first stage, however strengthening of the capabilities for natural disasters monitoring and early warning system can be extended to other CAF shareholder countries" Paz Estenssoro said.

The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation in Brazil is the government agency responsible for the National Center for Natural Disaster Monitoring and Alerts (CEMADEN).