Caracas, June 11, 2024. – Defining an action line for risk and disaster management was the main point of a videoconference held this Tuesday by the member countries of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America – People’s Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP).

The meeting was held in order to agree on different ways to combat the effects of climate change, as well as to keep populations prepared for any environment-related situation.

The Executive Secretary of the Alliance, Jorge Arreaza, reminded that it is essential to develop a Risk and Disaster Management System for the ALBA countries, an initiative that was approved at the last Summit of the regional bloc, held in April 2024.

In the videoconference, Arreaza stated that ALBA must focus on this system, as well as “evaluate the possibilities that we have to organize ourselves”.

On the other hand, Cuba and Venezuela offered to conduct training workshops about natural disasters, taking into account prevention mechanisms, population responses, and the creation of school brigades.

Additionally, Antigua and Barbuda emphasized the need to establish shelters for unexpected natural events that could affect families in more vulnerable countries.

They also raised the necessity of creating collection centers to support member countries of the bloc affected by climatic effects such as floods, droughts, wildfires, volcanic eruptions, among others.

Emergency fund for disaster response

Raúl Li Causi, President of the Executive Board of the Bank of ALBA, proposed the need to create an operational manual for addressing climate-related cases and a mapping of the most vulnerable areas.

He also pointed out that “from the Bank of ALBA, we provide resources for emergency care”.

To this end, the creation of an emergency fund was proposed, managed by the Bank of ALBA, which would allow Heads of State and Government to make a quick use of resources for decision-making in emergency situations.

ALBA-TCP Cooperation Agency and Other Proposals

It is expected that on July 25, the ALBA-TCP Cooperation Agency will be established in Caracas, which could have funds allocated for the study of risk situations, among other topics.

“We are one people, brothers of ALBA (…) the goal is to create a system that we can articulate internationally (…) the education of the people is also fundamental”, Arreaza stated at the end of the meeting.

The 10 countries of the Alliance supported the creation of this system to protect the peoples of the member countries.