Semi-Annual Performance Report: PREPARE Eje Cafetero - Colombia

The project has four objectives: 1) Enhance the availability and coverage of seismic exposure, vulnerability, and risk data for risk management policy and planning; 2) Strengthen the capacity of disaster authorities to understand and apply seismic risk data for improved policy, planning, and implementation outcomes; 3) Strengthen the capacity of municipal agencies, USAR, and other first responders to plan and implement effective response operations; and 4) Strengthen regional cooperation in risk management and response through joint planning, information, and resource sharing. The project's goal is to strengthen risk management authorities and response agency dialogue and coordination, benefiting all sectors of the vulnerable population exposed to seismic risk, including all ages, genders, social classes, and religious beliefs. The project's implementation period is 24 months, from September 30, 2020, to September 29, 2022, with a total project budget of $1,500,000. During the reporting period, September 30, 2020, to March 31, 2021, the primary focus was on start-up and coalition-building activities, particularly Indicator 1.2: Number of people participating in discussions about national risk reduction strategies as a result of the project. Miyamoto staff, along with Eje Cafetero counterparts, carried out the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and planning and coordination of upcoming activities aimed at meeting the proposed objectives. The project has made adjustments to certain activities, including the provision of four courses of the BHA Incident Command System (ICS) basic level and two courses of Pre-Hospital Assistance and Basic Vital Support, instead of three courses of ICS and three courses of instructor training (TFT) as initially planned. This adjustment reflects the results of pre-diagnostic evaluations developed by 11 USAR teams to prioritize and facilitate national accreditation or re-accreditation processes. The project has also taken methodological alternatives for the provision of courses to USAR teams due to the COVID-19 pandemic, switching from in-person provision to hybrid or completely virtual modalities to guarantee the safety of participants. This change is not expected to affect the quality or outcomes/outputs of such activities. The project has made significant progress in enhancing the availability and coverage of seismic exposure, vulnerability, and risk data for risk management policy and planning. An expert consultant in hazard, vulnerability, and seismic risk was hired to lead, coordinate, and develop activities related to this objective. The consultant developed a tool to identify the source of information and knowledge and different characteristics, and to classify it and compile it in searchable databases. The collection of information related to seismic risk began through interviews and workshops with key actors, including local universities, government entities, and the private sector. The project's compilation of information aims to determine the gaps and weaknesses in the knowledge of risk, design a regional repository of information, and develop a strategy for financing or supporting studies that will improve the status of risk knowledge in the region. The project's progress in this area is expected to contribute to the strengthening of risk management authorities and response agency dialogue and coordination, benefiting all sectors of the vulnerable population exposed to seismic risk.