The five countries of the Andean region are highly exposed to a combination of hazards including floods, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, droughts and health emergencies. Population density, political instability and internal disturbances exacerbate the vulnerabilities of communities in need. Combined with high levels of inequity and a lack of access to basic services, major humanitarian challenges exist, which are addressed by Andean Red Cross Societies.
IFRC Disaster Law works across the Andean sub-region with Red Cross National Societies, national governments and regional bodies. We have conducted research, projects or activities in all five Andean countries — Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela. We are also active at the Andean sub-regional level, having provided technical support in 2012 and 2018 on the revision of the Operational Guidelines for Mutual Disaster Assistance of the Member Countries of the Andean Community.
