Paul Bell:
Disaster Community Remembers a Leader and Friend

It is with great sadness that we report the death of Paul Bell, a well-respected colleague and friend to the humanitarian community worldwide and an icon in the disaster field in Latin America and the Caribbean. For the last two decades Mr. Bell served as the senior regional adviser for Latin America and the Caribbean of the Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance.

Paul Bell was internationally known as a leader in humanitarian assistance and served as Chair of several groups and events, including the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) and the Summit of America's Hemispheric Risk Reduction Conference. In the Americas, he was a firm believer in strengthening the countries’ capacity to mitigate and prepare for disasters. His team has trained more than 32,000 persons regionwide as disaster responders and has worked with governments to promote self-sufficiency in disaster response.

As an individual, Paul Bell touched and influenced all who met him. We at PAHO respected and admired his personal and professional integrity and commitment, and were grateful for his guidance. Thanks to his tireless efforts, he has left an indelible imprint on this Region. He was and will remain a role model, helping us to remember who it is we serve—the countries and people of Latin America and Caribbean. This is the legacy of this remarkable man.

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