Progress in risk management in the water and sanitation sector - Slowly but Surely

In recent years, a number of Latin American and Caribbean countries have demonstrated significant progress in risk reduction in the water and sanitation sector. These achievements have captured the attention of national and local authorities responsible for risk planning and management and highlighted the importance for health and development of ensuring the sustainability and continuity of water and sanitation services following disasters. (More)

El Salvador - Soyapango Emergency Puts New Plan to the Test

The ink was barely dry on the Emergency and Disaster Plan of El Salvador’s national water and sewerage regulatory body (ANDA), when it was put into practice because of spillage from a drum of diesel fuel which flowed into meter boxes before entering the system, sparking an emergency in heavily populated Soyapango in central El Salvador. (More)

Facing disasters and emergencies Improving Damage Assessment Capacity

AIDIS, the Division of Sanitary Engineering and Environmental Health in Emergencies and Disasters, in conjunction with PAHO/WHO, has prepared comprehensive training material for the water and sanitation sector to improve damage assessment in the wake of disasters. (More)

Ecuador - Technical Guidelines Help Reduce Vulnerability

Ecuador is drawing up technical guidelines to help sector specialists to reduce the vulnerability of water systems to the impact of natural and manmade hazards. The document provides guidance on the basics of risk management so that those responsible for water systems can analyze the vulnerability of components to the hazards to which they are exposed. (More)

Floods in Haiti and the Dominican Republic Emergency Response

Torrential rains in May 2004 in the Dominican Republic and Haiti caused major flooding, tragic loss of life and serious property damage, necessitating an immediate response to the needs of the affected population, most of whom lived in towns and villages on the border between the two countries. (More)

Six Years After Mitch - Honduras, Water Capital

Six years ago, hurricane Mitch shone the spotlight on the high vulnerability to disasaters of countries such as Honduras. The hurricane was responsible for thousands of deaths and huge economic losses, setting this Central American country thirty years back in its development efforts. Water and sanitation services were severely affected. (More)

Prevention in Quito
Water services ready themselves for a possible eruption of Cotopaxi

In response to renewed activity by the Cotopaxi volcano, the Quito metropolitan sanitation and drinking water company (EMAAP-Q) has drawn up a contingency plan to protect vulnerable points in the water and sanitation networks in preparation for a possible eruption. The Cotopaxi volcano is located 40 kilometers southeast of Quito. (More)

Lessons from the Pichincha Volcano

The many minor eruptions of the Pichincha volcano in 1998 signaled a large-scale eruption to many experts. Water supply systems were at risk from the impact of pyroclastic material on Quito’s water sources and culverts located along the slopes of the volcano and from ash falling into the city's water-treatment plants. (More)

Nicaragua - Sectoral Analysis Provides for Risk Management

Nicaragua’s most recent analysis of its drinking water and sanitation sector includes a chapter on risk management, reflecting the growing importance of the topic in this Central American country and the recognition of just how vulnerable water and sanitation systems are. Natural disasters are not the only threat these systems face. (More)

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