Semi-Annual Performance Report: PREPARE Mexico

The program is part of the regional PREPARE Program, which has activities in Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, El Salvador, and Trinidad and Tobago. The program has a total budget of $1,500,000 and is implemented by Miyamoto International over a 24-month period in Mexico City and Zapopan, Mexico. The program goal is to strengthen and institutionalize the risk management and response capacity of public disaster authorities and private-sector partners in highly vulnerable urban settings. The program has three objectives: Objective 1 focuses on facilitating the incorporation of risk management and response best practices, strategies, and tools into public policy and planning processes. Objective 2 aims to strengthen public-private collaboration in the application of risk management and response tools. Objective 3 seeks to increase the knowledge of basic seismic-resistant construction techniques among vulnerable populations in high-risk neighborhoods. During the reporting period from April 1, 2021 to September 30, 2021, the program made significant progress in achieving its objectives. In terms of Objective 1, both locations advanced in the creation of damage assessment protocols and procedures to institutionalize rapid and detailed damage assessment technical resources. A digital platform for the collection, organization, and analysis of rapid and detailed damage assessment data of earthquake-affected buildings was also developed. In addition, efforts were made to strengthen rapid damage assessment (RDA) and debris management operational capacity in Zapopan. The program delivered RDA and debris management operations training for civil engineering professionals, who will replicate what they have learned in their work centers. A consulting firm was also hired to develop the methodology for the disposal of waste from earthquakes. Regarding Objective 2, three expert working group meetings were held with public and private universities from Mexico City and Zapopan, as well as with the Private Sector Alliance for Disaster Resilient Societies (ARISE) Mexico Network. During these meetings, the program worked on co-creating an RDA curriculum and materials. The syllabus and Unit 1 of the curriculum have already been developed, presented to the working group, and approved. In terms of Objective 3, socialization of and the invitation to training on earthquake-resistant construction were carried out simultaneously in Zapopan. The goal was to encourage women to participate in training on earthquake-resistant construction techniques. The program has made significant progress in achieving its objectives, and the next steps will focus on continuing to strengthen public-private collaboration, increasing the knowledge of basic seismic-resistant construction techniques, and institutionalizing the risk management and response capacity of public disaster authorities and private-sector partners in highly vulnerable urban settings.