Brazil strengthens international cooperation during visit to Panama
In an effort to bolster its leadership in disaster risk reduction (DRR) and promote international cooperation, a delegation from Brazil's Civil Defence, led by National Secretary Wolnei Wolff Barreiros, visited Panama. The visit aimed to share experiences and strategies to improve disaster preparedness and response across the region.
Wolnei Wolff Barreiros emphasized the importance of this collaboration: "Brazil is strongly committed to international cooperation in disaster risk reduction. Sharing our experiences and learning from other countries is fundamental to facing hazards more effectively and protecting our communities."
The Regional Office for the Americas and the Caribbean of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) accompanied the Brazilian delegation in several activities. In today's world, with the increasing frequency and intensity of disasters, improving countries' preparedness and response capacities is essential. Disaster resilience must be understood as a public good. Brazil's cooperation with regional partners allows us to exchange knowledge and strengthen our joint capacities," said Nahuel Arenas, chief of the regional office.
During the visit, the Brazilian delegation, which included Glaucia Hassler and Rafael Machado, toured the Regional Logistics Centre for Humanitarian Assistance. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the World Food Programme (WFP) shared challenges and lessons learned in distributing relief materials. Holda Alvarez De Marré, director of the Regional Logistics Centre, explained: "logistics are vital for an effective response. Learning from international experiences allows us to optimize our processes and improve regional preparedness."
The delegation also met with Arturo Alvarado, director of Panama's National Civil Protection System (Sinaproc), to enhance bilateral cooperation and exchange best practices in emergency preparedness and response. "Collaboration with Brazil strengthens our strategies and protocols, benefiting the entire region in response," said Alvarado.
Additionally, the Brazilian delegation met with the European Commission's Directorate-General for Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection (ECHO) to improve coordination and mutual support in emergency situations, thereby strengthening international cooperation networks.
The state of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil, which recently faced severe floods and storms that caused unprecedented losses and damage, was a central topic of discussion. This scenario stretched Brazilian preparedness and response systems to the limit, highlighting the importance of seeking support from the UN system and regional partners in Panama to further strengthen their capacities.
UNDRR is currently supporting the Brazilian government and SEDEC in revising the National Civil Defence and Protection Plan to align it with the Sendai Framework. It is also collaborating on the DRR Sectoral Adaptation Plan, part of Brazil's National Climate Adaptation Plan, to comprehensively integrate risk management and climate change into its adaptation and mitigation strategies.
This visit underscores the importance of international cooperation and knowledge sharing in disaster preparedness and response, promoting a collaborative approach to protect and save lives in the region. Brazil reaffirms its commitment to disaster risk reduction and its role as a leader in the region, demonstrating that cooperation and mutual learning are essential to building more resilient communities.